Blue Devils for Bob Poppenga
by Nichole Arnold, Will Arnold, Tom Cross, Gina Daleiden, Logan Kittle and Rochelle Swanson
Davis public schools are built on a foundation of hard-won successes over the years and a mind-set of continual improvement, owing in large part to dedicated teachers, amazing students and parents, and the support of a local community that cares deeply about education.
Though issues change over time, our school district will have its share of challenges in the years ahead, and, in the process of finding solutions, also could be presented with tremendous opportunities for progress.
To recognize and leverage those opportunities requires clear and innovative thinking, a collaborative approach to problem-solving and genuine community engagement that respects and values diverse perspectives. What we see in Bob Poppenga is a school board trustee who understands Davis kids and families and the wide range of individual needs and complexities involved in providing the best possible education for all students.
Such is not an easy task to accomplish and we are fortunate to have in Poppenga a candidate who brings to the table a strong science background and evidence-based approach to decision-making. He has a proven record of creating closer collaboration with the world-class university in our midst, and he is well-positioned to build other community partnerships that would serve to strengthen our schools.
We view our support for Poppenga as a matter of Blue Devil Pride and we ask that you join us in electing Bob Poppenga to the school board!
Schools Need Scientist Poppenga
by Madhavi Sunder
Strong schools are the hallmark of our vibrant university town. The parcel tax on the November ballot, Measure H, is vitally important to our excellent schools, funding core programs from science to foreign languages, AP classes, music and athletic programs. Losing these parcel taxes (11% of our district budget) would mean teacher layoffs and cutting critical programs essential to student success. I urge you to continue to support our schools by voting “yes” on Measure H, which simply makes up for the parcel taxes set to expire.
After having the privilege to serve on the Davis School Board for nearly two years—and this year to serve as President of the School Board—I understand the kind of vision, talent, commitment and caring it takes to be a successful Davis School Board Trustee. If voters elect Bob Poppenga, our schools and community will benefit enormously. Bob is a professor of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, the number one vet school in the world. One of Bob’s primary goals is to more effectively tap the resources of the world class research university in our backyard to the benefit of Davis schools and children. Bob has already initiated a partnership between the UC Davis Veterinary School and the Davis Senior High School’s new veterinary science program. Thanks to Bob’s leadership, Davis students will have access to paid summer internships at the vet school, tours of the vet school facilities, and quality classroom materials. Bob has served on the school district’s committee to expand career technical opportunities for our students. A Board Member of the Explorit science museum, Bob believes non-profit partners can play a role in expanding opportunities for all Davis students.
It is imperative that we have a scientist as one among our five-member School Board. Over the past 10 years, STEM jobs have grown at three times the rate of other jobs. Bob will help ensure our schools are preparing students for STEM jobs at all levels. Bob’s service will enrich our schools.
Poppenga connects schools, UCD
by Lois Wolk and Bruce Wolk
We are writing in support of Bob Poppenga for the Davis school board. Bob is an experienced and talented teacher who understands that our schools represent our future. His goal is to ensure that every child achieves his or her maximum potential. He understands that this goal requires high expectations for our students, strong support for our teachers (especially their professional development), new investment in facilities and a creative curriculum to match the incredible diversity of our students.
When our two boys were in elementary school, the Davis schools had a strong connection with UC Davis. Judy Davis’ third-grade class (including our older son, Adam) met in Wellman Hall on the UCD campus. It served as a laboratory for training future teachers and greatly enriched the experience of the students.
Bob wants to restore and enhance this partnership and already has connected the School of Veterinary Medicine with the animal science course offered at Davis High.
A busy UCD Veterinary School faculty member and devoted father of two teenage children in the Davis schools, he nevertheless has found time to be heavily involved with school issues, serving on a variety of school district committees as well as on the Explorit Science Center board and on the Youth Service Committee of the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club.
He really enjoys working with young people and has the skill and — almost as important — the temperament, to achieve meaningful change on their behalf.
We urge you to meet Bob at one of his numerous events around town. He is a delightful guy with a ready smile and an infectious enthusiasm for our schools. Too often, our school board members have acted more like bureaucrats than stewards of our future. Bob doesn’t have a bureaucratic bone in his body. He is a great listener.
Take a look at his website (bob4schools.org) for more details, talk to him if you can, and most of all, vote for him on Nov. 8.
The post Letters: Heavy Hitters Come Out in Support of Poppenga appeared first on Davis Vanguard.