Mount Diablo Unified School District recall, California (2021)
| Mount Diablo Unified School District recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Linda Mayo Keisha Nzewi Cherise Khaund Erin McFerrin |
| Recall status |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2021 Recalls in California California recall laws School board recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall all five members of the Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education in California did not go to a vote in 2021. Area 1 representative Debra Mason, Area 2 representative Linda Mayo, Area 3 representative Keisha Nzewi, Area 4 representative Cherise Khaund, and Area 5 representative Erin McFerrin were named in the notices of intent to recall. To get the recall on the ballot, supporters had to file between 4,490 and 7,744 signatures per board member by September 3, 2021.[1][2] They did not collect enough signatures by the deadline.[3]
Khaund was first elected to a four-year term on the board in 2018. Mason and Mayo were both re-elected to four-year terms in the same year. All three were unopposed, and the elections were canceled.[4][5] Nzewi and McFerrin were both first elected to four-year terms on the board on November 3, 2020. Nzewi defeated two opponents with 55.37% of the vote, and McFerrin defeated one opponent with 69.75% of the vote.[6][7]
To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here.
Recall supporters
Arguments for recall against Mason
The recall petition against Mason contained the following reasons for recall:[8]
| “ | The grounds for the recall are as follows: 1. Ms. Mason’s inability to approve and
oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards of tax payer funds. 2. Ms. Mason has demonstrated an inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ms. Mason has failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students. Debra Mason ran unopposed to the MDUSD Board of Education in November of 2014. The voters of Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District are issuing a recall due to her inability to serve her constituents.[9] |
” |
Arguments for recall against Mayo
The recall petition against Mayo contained the following reasons for recall:[10]
| “ | The grounds for the recall are as follows: 1. Ms. Mayo’s inability to approve and
oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards of tax payer funds. 2. Ms. Mayo has demonstrated an inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ms. Mayo has failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students. Linda Mayo was elected to the MDUSD Board of Education in November of 1997. The voters of Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District are issuing a recall due to her inability to serve her constituents.[9] |
” |
Arguments for recall against Nzewi
The recall petition against Nzewi contained the following reasons for recall:[11]
| “ | The grounds for the recall are as follows: 1. Ms. Nzewi’s inability to approve and
oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards of tax payer funds. 2. Ms. Nzewi has demonstrated an inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ms. Nzewi has failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students. Keisha Nzewi was elected to be the Area 3 representative to the MDUSD Board of Education in November of 2020. The voters of Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District are issuing a recall due to her inability to serve her constituents.[9] |
” |
Arguments for recall against Khaund
The recall petition against Khaund contained the following reasons for recall:[12]
| “ | The grounds for the recall are as follows: 1. Ms. Khaund’s inability to approve and
oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards of tax payer funds. 2. Ms. Khaund has demonstrated an inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ms. Khaund has failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students. Cherise Khaund was elected to the MDUSD Board of Education in November of 2018. The voters of Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District are issuing a recall due to her inability to serve her constituents.[9] |
” |
Arguments for recall against McFerrin
The recall petition against McFerrin contained the following reasons for recall:[13]
| “ | The grounds for the recall are as follows: 1. Ms. McFerrin’s inability to approve and
oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards of tax payer funds. 2. Ms. McFerrin has demonstrated an inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ms. McFerrin has failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students. Erin McFerrin was elected to be the Area 5 representative to the MDUSD Board of Education in November of 2020. The voters of Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District are issuing a recall due to her inability to serve her constituents.[9] |
” |
Recall opponents
Response by Mason
The following response from Mason was included on the recall petition:[8]
| “ | The past year has been a difficult one for all the families we serve as they
have struggled with coping with a pandemic and care for their families. As a board member it has been equally difficult to find the best solutions to meet the needs of almost 30,000 students. That is why I have attended countless meetings and webinars to listen to what the experts are telling us about metrics and safety. I have asked questions of other districts around the state and country that are facing the same issues and also advocated for local and state guidance to assure a safe return to school in a timely manner. I have tried to respond to all the many emails I have received from parents and students that struggle with these decisions as well. Over the past two years I have questioned and requested more information before making budget decisions. I have often voted no on budget items that would have a negative effect on our budget, in an effort to be a good steward of the tax payer's dollars.[9] |
” |
Response by Mayo
The following response from Mayo was included on the recall petition:[10]
| “ | Do not sign the recall petition. Avoid the recall expense. During crisis,
experience is invaluable. I’m always available to speak with you about my record or matters not subject to confidentiality. I take budget oversight and governance very seriously. I support expenditures only when I clearly understand the fiscal impact. Funding fluctuates annually; budgets are subject to county and state oversight; any irregularities are addressed. MDUSD’s Budget Advisory Committee advises trustees on budgetary issues. The recall election’s estimated $1,300,000 - $1,690,000 expense will negatively impact MDUSD’s budget, adversely affecting student programs and staffing districtwide. COVID-19 has no playbook. I thoughtfully considered stakeholder opinions, studied reports, asked questions, and implemented directives from county, state, and federal lawmakers and health agencies. We were unable to reopen schools until it was safe for students and staff, and teachers agreed to return to campuses. Most families agreed. “In-person learning” is scheduled FALL 2021, absent COVID-19 resurgences. I’ve consistently advocated for what’s in the best interest of all, based upon careful study of legislation and constituent communication. Involvement with California School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly and California State PTA, at state and local levels, broadens my 23 years’ understanding of complex issues. Visit #MDUSDisBACK, www.mdusd.org/2020-21.[9] |
” |
Response by Nzewi
The following response from Nzewi was included on the recall petition:[11]
| “ | Proponents of a recall petition are seeking my recall for the following reasons:
"Inability to approve and oversee a sustainable budget, and failure to be a good stewards [sic] of tax payer funds." I was sworn into office on December 11, 2020. The last MDUSD budget was passed (item 17.2) June 22, 2020. My first budget action will be in June, 2021. "Inability to faithfully listen to the concerns of constituents in regard to providing an in-person learning opportunity to the greatest extent possible." I read every email and written public comment, and listened to public comment closely at every meeting. Additionally, I hosted a Spanish language list, and a meeting for Black parents. I am committed to hearing all voices, not just those in my email inbox, or in public comment. "Failed to advocate, at both state and local levels, for measures that would facilitate a choice to return to in-person learning for all students.” I fully supported CCCSB’s efforts to prioritize teacher and school staff vaccination. Also, with other east bay school board members, I attended lobby visits with our legislators where safe school re-opening was the primary topic.[9] |
” |
Response by Khaund
The following response from Khaund was included on the recall petition:[12]
| “ | I take my responsibility to MDUSD families very seriously. In a community
where approximately 50% wanted in-person instruction and 50% chose to stay completely in distance learning, we reopened with a hybrid model just 13 days after Contra Costa entered the red tier. This pandemic is devastating, and I have been focused on supporting all children and families through this difficult time. 1) To return to in person learning, we ensured safe learning environments for children and staff. I approved MDUSD’s COVID safety plan, advocated for vaccines for all school staff, and personally visited schools to see that health protocols were enacted. Returning before these systems were in place would have irresponsibly put lives at risk. 2) I am a careful steward of the limited taxpayer funds provided to our public schools. Every year I have voted for belt tightening measures to ensure our district spends within its means while also advocating for full and fair state funding to provide the best education possible for our children. 3) As per my suggestions, MDUSD included more public input in our decision making than ever before. Please feel free to contact me at khaundc@mdusd.org or www.cherisekhaund.com[9] |
” |
Response by McFerrin
McFerrin did not provide a response on the recall petition.[13]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in California
Recall supporters submitted the notices of intent to recall to the Contra Costa County Elections Office in April 2021. To get the recall on the ballot, recall supporters had to collect signatures from 20% of registered voters in each district the board members represented in 120 days. The filing deadline was September 3, 2021, and the number of signatures required for each board member was:[2]
- Mason: 6,107 signatures
- Mayo: 7,388 signatures
- Nzewi: 4,490 signatures
- Khaund: 7,744 signatures
- McFerrin: 7,016 signatures
Ballotpedia covered 35 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 94 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials.
The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
2021 recall efforts
- See also: School board recalls
Ballotpedia tracked 92 school board recall efforts against 237 board members in 2021. Recall elections against 17 board members were held in 2021. The school board recall success rate was 0.42%.
The chart below details the status of 2021 recall efforts by individual school board member.
See also
- Mount Diablo Unified School District, California
- Recall campaigns in California
- Political recall efforts, 2021
- School board recalls
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Mount Diablo Unified School District
- Contra Costa County Elections
Footnotes
- ↑ The Mercury News, "Parents group seeks to recall all five Mount Diablo school board members for slow class reopening," March 30, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "MDUSD Recall Roadmap," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Press Release Regarding the Recall," accessed September 7, 2021
- ↑ Contra Costa County Elections, "Contest/Candidate Proof List General Election - 11/6/2018: Contests On Ballot," accessed September 24, 2018
- ↑ Contra Costa County Elections, "List of Candidates: November 6, 2018 General Election," accessed September 24, 2018
- ↑ Mount Diablo Unified School District, "Erin McFerrin and Keisha Nzewi Win MDUSD Board Seats," November 6, 2020
- ↑ Mount Diablo Unified School District, "About the Governing Board," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Area 1 Recall Petition," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Area 2 Recall Petition," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Area 3 Recall Petition," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Area 4 Recall Petition," accessed June 3, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mt. Diablo Parent Advocates, "Area 5 Recall Petition," accessed June 3, 2021
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