A Note From Mike
The Kusiak Family
Mike and his family during visit to the University of Richmond, where he met his wife Melissa as undergraduates.
I believe deeply in the power of public schools to transform lives, and I am proud to support our Castro Valley public schools. This belief is what inspired me to serve our community on the Castro Valley School Board, and it is why I am running for another four-year term.
Growing up, I moved frequently, and my family often faced poverty and housing insecurity. Amid that instability, school became my refuge. It provided me with a free lunch when my mother struggled to pay the rent or the electricity bill. As an adult, I understand how critical our schools are in ensuring that children and their families don’t fall through the cracks.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board worked tirelessly to return students to in-person learning as quickly as possible. We offered flexibility and choices to our students and families, all while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff in a time of great uncertainty.
As a community, we continue to face the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of our students and families. I’m proud of the investments our Board has made in supporting the mental well-being of our students.
As a Board member, I have focused on the responsible stewardship of our limited resources, ensuring we educate our students and maintain our infrastructure. We launched the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at Vannoy Elementary School, and I look forward to expanding it with additional languages in the coming years. We also support curriculum innovation, including creating career pathways for students headed to college and those entering the workforce right after graduation. Our commitment to recruiting top-notch staff who reflect the diversity of our student body has been a key priority.
I’ve been a community organizer in Castro Valley for nearly a decade, leading successful campaigns that mobilized our community to support our schools and advocate for greater local control. I served as campaign manager for two successful initiatives, including the crucial Measure G bond program, which has brought much-needed infrastructure investments to our Castro Valley schools. With over 23 years of experience in public higher education, I bring a deep understanding of California’s public education and governance systems. As a policy maker at the University of California, I use my legislative and policy analysis expertise in a role where these skills are vital.
I would love to hear your ideas for Castro Valley schools and share my vision with you. Feel free to reach out at michaelkusiak@gmail.com – let’s set up a time to chat.
Join me in building a resilient future for Castro Valley schools!
Be well,
Mike
The Issues
