NAME: Tom Torlakson
AGE: 64. Born in San Francisco July 19, 1949
PARTY: Democrat
EXPERIENCE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2010-present; state Assembly, 2008-2010, 1996-2000; state Senate, 2000-2008; Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, 1980-1996; Antioch City Council, 1978-1980; high school science teacher, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, 1972-1980; adjunct faculty member, Los Medanos College, 2007-2012
EDUCATION: San Mateo Community College, 1968-1969; bachelor’s degree in history, University of California, Berkeley, 1971; master’s in education, UC Berkeley, 1977
FAMILY: Wife, Mae Cendana Torlakson; two adult daughters
WEBSITE: www.TomTorlakson.com
PRIORITIES: Use classroom teaching experience to advocate for allowing local schools, parents and teachers to decide for themselves how to spend education dollars. Restore quality child care programs and make pre-school available to every child. Improve student safety by protecting children from bullying and other crimes. Expand career and technical training so students graduate ready for a career as well as college
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NAME: Marshall Tuck
AGE: 40. Born in Burlingame on July 28, 1973
PARTY: Democrat
EXPERIENCE: 2013-present, candidate for state Superintendent of Public Instruction; 2007-2013, CEO of Partnership for LA Schools, a nonprofit that oversaw 17 urban public schools; 2002-2006, president, Green Dot Public Schools; 2000-2002, general manager, Model N Inc., a revenue-management software company
FAMILY: Wife, Mae Tuck, one son
WEBSITE: www.marshalltuck.com
PRIORITIES: Bring major change to California public schools to ensure that every child has access to quality education. Get Sacramento politicians out of local schools, cut bureaucracy and waste, and give parents more control.
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NAME: Lydia Gutierrez
AGE: 56. Born in Los Angeles on Sept. 1, 1957
PARTY: Republican
EXPERIENCE: 1995-present, teacher, Long Beach Unified School District; 2007-present, councilmember, Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council; 1993-1995, teacher in Colombia; 1990-1993, math and science teacher, Hawthorne school district; 1986-1990, substitute/studio teacher; 1981-1986, administrator/acting cost-estimating supervisor, Hughes Aircraft.
FAMILY: Single. Nine siblings, 20 nieces and nephews.
WEBSITE: www.Lydia4schools.com
PRIORITIES: Establishing solidly proven academic standards that are scientifically based and developmentally age-appropriate. Oppose Common Core State Standards on grounds they have not been scientifically vetted as viable academic standards. Building fiscal responsibility. Making sure schools get needed repairs. Proper support staffing, including a librarian in every school. Allowing only credentialed classroom teachers. Maintaining well-rounded academic and vocational programs that prepare youth for college or a trade career the day after graduation.
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