Democratic Party of Sacramento County - Central Committee: Candidate Questionnaire

Note: The answers to the questionnaire will be shared with the members of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County and local Democratic clubs and may become public.

The DPSC Candidate Questionnaire contains questions from many subject areas that you may feel are not pertinent to the office you seek. We ask these questions because: candidates may go on to other offices, we use one questionnaire for all candidates, and we share the questionnaire with our many clubs which have broad interests. Please answer to the best of your ability. Thank you!

Section 1

Full Name: Zima Creason

Email address: zima@voteforzima.com

Office Sought: San Juan School Board

FPPC ID (enter N/A if you do not yet have one): 1399876

Occupation: President & CEO

Employer: Mental Health America of California

Campaign Phone: 916-837-2214

Campaign Website: voteforzima.com

Campaign Manager: NA

Campaign Consultants (list all):

Derek Humphrey

Zoe Kipping

Patrick Harbison

What is your anticipated budget and how much have you raised to date?

$100,000 goal, $25,000 raised so far.

What are your primary sources for fundraising? Please list your top three campaign contributors.

Primary sources to date are individual donors, in-kind contributions, and PAC donations.

Patrick Harbison (Friend)

Caren Sykes (Friend)

Angela Brand (Friend)

Will all your campaign materials be printed by a union printer?

Yes, Union printer or my home printer.

Do you voluntarily decline contributions from any particular contributor or class of contributors (e.g., Big Oil, Walmart, developers, lobbyists, charter schools, etc.)? If so, list who they are and why.

I will not take money from the following entities:

Oil or plastic companies due to their negative environmental impact. Tobacco because of the health risks and predatory practices. Charter Schools due to my belief that public money belongs in public schools. Law enforcement - I have grave concerns about the criminal justice system. Further, I don’t

believe law enforcement should take action as a special interest. Their only interest should be the community they serve.

Please list your top five elected or appointed offices currently/previously held and any key affiliations, clubs, or community organizations. Please include your role and a contact name and phone number for reference.

Member, Sacramento County Children’s Coalition

Abigail Noscea, ASO II, County of Sacramento Department of Health and Human Services, 916-267-9829

Member, National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partnership Program

Diana Morales, MPH, Director, Outreach Partnership Program, (o) 301-443-7613

Member, California Department of Education Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup

Monica Nepomuceno, Education Programs Consultant, Mental Health Services Program, CA Department of Education, 916-833-7958

Friends Committee Member, My Sisters House

Nilda Valmores, Executive Director, My Sisters House, 916-868-7820

Member, JFK Democratic Club (I serve as the club alternate representative to the Democratic Party of Sacramento County)

Gina McBride, President, 916-476-3050

Please attach your biography, a list of current endorsements, and any campaign literature or social media information as a single file. Please name your file: lastname/office sought.

Attached

Have you ever been registered to vote as a member of a political party other than the Democratic Party, or No Party Preference? If so, please state when, why, and for how long.

When I was very young I believe I registered independent for some time not understanding what that meant. Other than that I have always registered a democrat.

Have you ever endorsed, contributed to, campaigned for, or otherwise supported a candidate for election or appointment to a partisan or nonpartisan office that was not a member of the Democratic Party? If so, who, for which office, and why? Please be specific.

No

Are you a dues-paying member of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County?

Yes

Do you plan to purchase a ballot statement?

Yes

What will your ballot designation be?

It will likely be Parent/Nonprofit CEO.

Have you read the Platform of the California Democratic Party? It can be downloaded at https://www.cadem.org/our-california/platform

Yes

Have you read, and will you adhere to the Code of Fair Campaign Practices distributed by the Sacramento County Elections Department? It can be downloaded at http://www.elections.saccounty.net

Yes

Have you ever been the subject of sexual harassment/abuse/assault allegations investigated by law enforcement, governmental institutions, businesses or any other organizations? What was the result of any such investigation?

No

Is there anything in your history on the subject of sexual harassment/abuse/assault which, if revealed, would bring you, your proposed office, or the Democratic Party into disrepute?

No

How long have you lived in the district you seek to represent?

About 10 years.

Out of the last five elections, how many have you voted in?

The following is a list of the last five elections I voted in:

08 Nov 2016

07 Jun 2016

04 Nov 2014

06 Nov 2012

02 Nov 2010

Why did you decide to run for your position and what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure? List your top three issues.

I have always wanted to run for office. I noticed at a very young age that there were not many people that looked like me in elected office and I want to represent my community. I found a seat that my skills and background will benefit and I’m ready to serve.

In my role as a School Board Member my three top accomplishments will be:

a. Increase student and staff mental wellness.b. District wide use of restorative justice practices.c. Increase student safety related to bullying, traffic dangers during drop off and pick up, and

school violence.

If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished during your tenure?

I am not and incumbent.

Section 2 - District & Governance

Are you familiar with the budget(s) for which you will be responsible, if elected? If so, state how large it is, what its principal revenue sources are, and what its largest expenditure categories are.

Yes, I am familiar with the SJUSD budget. The budget it is over $370,000,000.

Principal revenue sources include:

LCFF Base Grant 302,534,346

LCFF Supplemental Grant 28,921,468

Other State Revenue/other local rev approximately 9 mil

Largest expenditures:

Salaries and wages

Benefits

Operational cost

Capital Outlay

Will you support moving to by-district elections (rather than at-large) where they are not held now? Please explain. Yes. SJUSD is at-large. It is over 75 square miles. It is home to over 5,000 staff and 50,000 students. To ensure meaningful representation for all community members, the SJUSD should move towards by district elections.

What sets you apart from other candidates for this office?

I am a parent of a child currently attending a district school.

I am qualified for the positon. I have over 17 years of experience working in policy, advocacy, public education, and mental health. I have experience with budgets, leadership, and working with youth. I have expertise and relationships that can be immediately leveraged for the benefit of the district.

Two democratic candidates have close ties to charter schools. I do not. I believe that public money belongs in public schools.

I am a diverse woman born to a black woman from Mississippi and immigrant man from India. I have overcome significant trauma and hardship and will use my lived experience to better serve, support, and educate the tremendous number of young people that are overcoming hardships themselves.

How will you work with community advocates? What will you do to be accessible to community members and other stakeholders?

I have years of experience engaging and empowering community stakeholders. I will lead in the development of outreach and engagement policies and activities. I will make myself available in person and remotely to stakeholders. I will meet them where they are and not expect them to come to me. I will be flexible with my time so that my constituents have meaningful access to me as their representative.

What will you do to promote transparency and ethics?

To promote transparency I will lead and effort to have each school sites financial details that can be accessed through each school sites websites. I’d also lead an effort to ensure that all public meetings are posted in advance so that stakeholders have the opportunity to participate.

Regarding ethics, education and awareness is key. Stakeholders need to be informed of exactly what is and is not ethical and need to be informed when unethical practices occur. More eyes need to be on the issues that tend to be hushed concerning students.

What whistle-blower protections should there be for public employees who expose corruption, sexual harassment, or other illegal/unethical activity?

Employees must be protected from any adverse action as a result of their disclosures and their freedom of speech must be protected.

Do you believe that current campaign finance rules should be changed? If so, how would you change them?

Yes I do. I have concerns about our democracy being represented by the person with the biggest bank account. However, significant funds must be raised to win campaigns. Sadly, this creates barriers for qualified potential candidates without robust resources.

Further, the current system requires too much time of candidates and elected officials. The time spent raising funds is significant. The time would be better spent engaging community and elevating community defined practices.

Section 3 – Civil Rights

What will you do to advance the rights of:A. The LGBTQ community?B. Racial and ethnic minorities?C. Gender and gender identities?

I am 100% committed to all things in support of the LGBTQ community. My commitment will never waiver. You will see this reflected in every vote. All youth regardless of gender preference of orientation will be served equitably within the district.

I’m happy to share the SJUSD has implemented some impressive empowerment initiatives for LGBTQ youth. Youth participants have expressed their excitement about the projects and about the staff leading the projects. However, there are not enough hands on deck to serve our very large district appropriately. Funding allocations will need to shift, or community partnerships will need to be formed, to expand the great work happening and to implement more youth defined services and supports.

I’m proud to have received the endorsement of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber PAC.

I am a mixed race woman of color and I am committed to the advancement of diverse communities. The SJUSD is under investigation by the US Department of Education for its mistreatment of black students.

In a recent report, SJUSD was identified as one of the top districts suspending black children third grade and younger at disproportionate rates. There is a lot of work to be done to reverse the harm that has already been caused and to prevent more of the same. District and school site staff need better training, there needs to be more diversity reflected in leadership and at school sites, and restorative justice practices must be implemented on all campuses.

Gender identity should not be assumed and should not create barriers to education. Students should not be forced to make decisions about their gender identity to attend school. There are harmful practices that still occur in our schools that must end. For example, students are asked to line up by gender, “boys line up, then girls.” Bathrooms are gender specific with no family restrooms or gender neutral options. With training, and with changing some bathroom signage, we can create a more psychologically safe space for people of all gender identities.

What will you do to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, and housing?

Ending discrimination takes a multifaceted approach and takes times. As we are all well aware, discrimination is alive and well for diverse communities and we have a lot of work to do. Here are some strategies.

1. Educate young people about sexual orientation and gender identity. Normalize the conversation. Young people should grow up knowing this is just another area where people have differences and the differences are normal and ok.

2. Educate young people about what discrimination is, how it is demonstrated, and how they can address their own bias views and those of their peers.

3. Make it clear that discrimination is not tolerated.4. Empower LGBTQ student stakeholders to be meaningfully involved in school and district

leadership and stakeholder processes.5. Create clear pathways for mental health services for students where victims are supported and

offenders are provided with therapy and dedication to address underlining issues leading to discriminating behaviors.

These are just a few strategies to address the issue. It will take time and special attention. I vow to not sweep discrimination under the rug.

What is your position on a woman’s right to comprehensive healthcare, including the right to choose and access contraception, and the right to obtain a medically safe, legal abortion?

I am 100% pro-choice and access to any all medical options women choose including all contraception and abortion.

If elected, what will you do to close the gender pay gap?

I will ask for an analysis of staff pay to identify gaps and will work with the superintendent and the various bargaining units to address those gaps.

Further, I will lead initiatives that educate students about the problem of gender pay gap, how to avoid perpetuating the problem when they enter the workforce, and how to engage in self advocacy when they enter the workforce.

What is your position on immigration? Do you support an amnesty program for those immigrants already living in the United States? Do you support a clean DREAM Act, without any enforcement funding attached to it? Should undocumented immigrants have a path towards citizenship? Why?

My dad died here in the U.S. an “illegal immigrant” from India. This issue is personal and dear to my heart. Yes, I support an amnesty program. Yes, I support a clean DREAM Act with funding attached that allows for reduced applications costs for recipients, and funding for linkages to services and supports. Yes, undocumented immigrants should have a path towards citizenship.

I believe strongly that we must support immigrant communities for a variety of reasons. As a strong and wealthy nation I believe we have a responsibility to provide safety to refuges escaping violence in their home counties. Regarding Dreamers, the idea of sending young people away to a country they never knew is appalling. They committed no crime. Again, as a wealthy and strong nation, we have a responsibility and the resources to assist these youth.

What will you do to protect immigrant communities?

The San Juan School District is home to a variety of immigrant and refugee communities. One of my top priorities is to ensure our new neighbors have access to community defined services and supports.

I will lead an initiative that will establish the San Juan School District as a sanctuary district.

I will lead initiatives that create psychologically healthy space for students and staff that is conducive of true inclusion.

I will provide clear pathways to access behavioral health services and supports.

I will provide clarity on how to report problems when things go wrong.

Should there be limits on free speech or assembly in public places, such as protesting or picketing? Please explain.

No. Free speech and protest is what will keep democracy alive.

Do you support background checks for all gun and ammunition sales? What other restrictions on firearms do you think are appropriate?

Yes I support background checks for gun and ammo sales. I support a ban on assault weapons/weapons of war. I believe there should be long waiting periods and training before anyone can go home with a gun.

Do you feel the criminal justice system is just and fair to everyone? If not, what reforms would you like to see?

No. The currency system has criminalized people of color, mental illness, substance use challenges, and being poor. It is not a system of rehabilitation. It is causing more problems than it solves and it costs too much money. The dollars would be better spent on youth programs, services/supports, child care, nutrition, mental health, etc. We need a complete overhaul of the system that includes the complete abolition of privatized prisons. Incarceration should be a last result and should be a therapeutic setting when used. Not a house of cages.

Further, there needs to be changes in law and practice that stops the over policing in communities of color that lead to so many people be sentenced or killed when they never should have been pursued in the first place.

I would like to see an abolition of law enforcement special interest. Law enforcements only interest should be the community it serves.

Do you support capital punishment? If so, please explain when you think it’s appropriate.

No I do not.

Please share your views on the Black Lives Matter movement.

I support BLM and I contribute to the team financially.

How will you work toward greater police accountability? What role would the community play in that?

First we need to support legislation that requires body cameras to be worn by law enforcement at all times without the ability to mute. Laws that allow law enforcement to use deadly force if they are fearful must be changed. Before recruits enter into law enforcement, extensive analysis should be conducted to ensure that applicants do not hold racist views.

Do you support the universal use of police body cameras? When is it appropriate to release police body camera footage? Yes. Unless the family objects or the footage includes minors the footage should be released to the public.

What will you do to make your community more accessible to people with disabilities?

I will work with leaders in disability advocacy to identify where improvements are needed and develop plans to resolve the identified issues. Inclusion is the area I hear about most from families with kids living with challenges.

What will you do to ensure that non-English speakers can fully participate in public meetings and access public services?

Access to translation services and translated materials. Also, expansion of community broker services. This is a practice where people support members of their communities to link up with services, supports or to navigate the system in general.

Section 4 – Healthcare

Do you believe that healthcare is a human right? If so, what do you believe is the most effective way to provide quality healthcare for all? Yes I do and I believe in universal healthcare to provide for all health needs including dental, mental health, substance use, and holistic approaches with a focus on prevention and early intervention of illness and crisis.

What is your position on parental notification prior to a minor terminating a pregnancy? Please explain.

I do not support parental notification. Instead, I support counseling and support for the young person, and for the family if she chooses to inform them. Hopefully we can support the youth to tell her family, but if not, help them to have a safety net and support to get through this challenging time.

What measures would you support to ensure adequate mental health services for all?

I have worked in mental health advocacy and public policy for almost 20 years, this is a multifaceted issue that will required a variety of different measures in a variety of areas. Here are a few.

a. Introduce curriculum that raises awareness about mental illness, substance use issues, and decreases stigma.

b. Provide education addressing how to access help and how to help others in need.c. Continue to empower and elevate community defined practices to support people living with

mental health changes, and to create psychologically health and safe spaces conducive of mental wellness.

What will you do to help address high child mortality rates in the black community in Sacramento County?

I am appointed to the Sacramento County Children’s Coalition who fund the annual child mortality report. In that role I will continue to support funding for the report and all data collection used in the report. I will continue to be a proponent of the Black Child Legacy Project that is making incredible strides in this area. I will also continue to educate community members about the problem and link them to services, supports, education, and advocacy opportunities.

Section 5 – Good Jobs for All

Describe your relationship with organized labor.

I’m endorsed by the California School Employees Association Local 127. My mom was a school bus driver a union member. I’m a union member’s wife. My husband is a proud member of the Organization of SMUD Employees. I support organized labor!

Do you support the right of workers to unionize by card check?

Yes.

Have you attended the Sacramento Central Labor Council Candidate Academy?

I am attending the event scheduled for August 11.

Do you support project labor agreements?

Yes

Which labor unions will you be interacting with in your role? What is your plan for building collaborative relationships with union and nonunion employees?

San Juan Teachers Association; CA School Employees Association, Chapter 127; Teamsters, Local 150; San Juan Supervisors Association; San Juan Professional Educators Coalition; San Juan Administrators Association.

I have reached out to all of the organizations noted above and met with some of them. My goal is to establish relationships now and to define, in partnership, how best to stay in touch and foster ongoing communication. It is possible the organizations would prefer me to attend meetings, maybe calls, maybe something else. I’m open to meeting where they are and I’m committed to an ongoing and meaningful relationship.

For both union and nonunion employees I will attend staff events, build relationships, and inform make sure people are aware that I am available and they can reach out anytime.

What is the role of the office that you seek in promoting good jobs for our region?

School Board has a direct influence on the workforce that will need good jobs after they graduate. It is this workforce that will provide leadership for the future to create more good jobs for future graduates. Further, it is the school board’s responsibility to create and maintain good jobs within the district to meet student needs.

What solutions would you propose to solve budget shortfalls and how would you prioritize the needs of your constituents?

The current school funding stream based on property taxes creates disparities. There needs to be an overhaul. Further, untraditional partnerships must be leveraged to meet the needs of students and staff. There are several nonprofit organizations that can provide services, supports, and trainings that can help fill some shortfalls.

Do you believe income inequality is an issue in your community? If so, what steps would you take to address it?

Yes, income inequality is an issue in my community. There are tremendous systematic factors that lead to income inequality. It will take a multipronged approach with many system working in collaboration to put a dent in this issue. The Hass Institute did a great job breaking down the needed areas of focus including raising the minimum wage, revising tax code to benefit working and low income families,

remove barriers that prohibit low income families from building wealth, investment in education, and ending residential segregation, largely attributed to redlining. https://haasinstitute.berkeley.edu/six-policies-reduce-economic-inequality

Section 6 - Local Economy & Public Resources

Under what circumstances would you support raising revenues by means of taxes or fees to support public services and why?

I support raising taxes for public services, especially community defined services, health care (including mental health care), and youth programs.

6.2 How do you balance more progressive vs more regressive forms of taxation or other revenues and their specific impacts on the community, and what means of such revenues would you have at your disposal and support?

In my role as a School Board Member I will not have a say in taxation; however, I support progressive taxes, not regressive. I support equal sacrifice and that does not always equate to equal giving. Overly taxing the most vulnerable is a brick in the path that leads to many negative crisis outcomes that are in the news.

Under what conditions would you support the privatization of public or natural resources (i.e. water, publicly-owned buildings, schools, park lands, parking facilities)?

I do not support privatizing any of them unless is a 100% sale that will not be supported by any public dollars.

What is your position on "public/private partnerships"?

Partnerships, collaboration, and leveraging is great as long as the partnership does not take away from union strength through outsourcing jobs etc. We need more partnerships to fill gaps in services and supports for students.

When is it appropriate to use public money or tax incentives to subsidize private business?

I’m not aware of any instances where this would be appropriate.

What is your plan to support and encourage local small business development?

To educate students on the importance of supporting small business and how they can establish their own small business.

Section 7 – Environment

Do you support the construction of the Delta tunnels and the Southeast Connector? Please explain.

No. I’m not an expert in this area; however, it is my understanding that the tunnels would be detrimental to wildlife and that there are other less damaging ways to meet the need.

When is it appropriate to expand the urban growth boundary?

This is not my area of expertise. In general, we need to do all we can to protect nature and wildlife. We can do that by limiting areas humans inhabit whenever possible.

Please describe your position on regional habitat and working lands conservation.

Again, this is not my area of expertise, but in general I support environmental conservation efforts.

What will you do to address climate change in your role? Please be specific.

I will work to ensure that students have accurate information about climate change and that they are empowered with opportunities to address the problem and to develop new solutions.

Please describe your education and/or experience with land use planning.

I do not have education or experience in this area.

Have you read the General Plan and do you agree with its vision of future development? If not, what changes would you propose?

I have not read the General Plan.

Section 8 – Education

Do you support Restorative Justice and funding such programs?

Yes, 100%

What role do you believe charter schools should play in public education?

I believe public money belongs in public schools. However, charters are legally allowed. They are a part of the San Juan School District and they will be included in my responsibilities once elected. I’m not a proponent of charter schools; however, I will do all I can to ensure that all students, regardless of the school they attend, have access to quality education and a healthy learning environment.

I do want to note that I understand why parents sometimes choose charter schools. They are looking for options for a variety of reason. I want to build options into our public schools. Parents/students should not have to leave to have their educational needs met.

Do you support reforming teacher tenure, due process protections, or teacher salary and benefits? Please explain.

I support working with teacher unions to jointly determine methods to address issues with underperforming teachers. Overall many of the protections that come with tenure are great and I think

people get too hung up on the word instead of focusing on the goal. For me the goal is high quality, healthy, and safe education for students as well as a healthy and safe workplace for teachers and staff. I think we all agree that sometimes teachers don’t work out and there needs to be agreed upon approaches to address these challenges as they arise.

Regarding salary and benefits, I will not support reductions in teacher salary or benefits and look forward to partnering with the superintendent and bargaining representatives to achieve fair contracts.

8.4 What will you do to minimize bullying and promote tolerance in school? Discuss your feelings about the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students because of their real or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity. How will you help promote a safer environment in schools for all students?

No student, including LGBTQ students, should face harassment, especially at school. LGBTQ youth (perceived or not) are often singled out and harassed. Minimizing bullying requires a multipronged restorative justice approach. Empathy education, mental health education/services/support, and inclusion practices must be applied.

I will also work with students to establish youth defined practices that promote inclusion so instead of silos, there opportunities to network with the diverse student body and have the opportunity to share experiences with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences so that relationship can begin to form.

For school board candidates: Please explain LCFF and LCAP in three sentences or fewer.

LCAP stands for Local Control and Accountability Plan and LCFF stand for Local Control Funding Formula. California requires a stakeholder process within school districts that determines goals and allocates resources based on community defined needs.

Do you believe that public adult education, colleges, and universities should be tuition free?

Yes! Everyone should have access to quality education and nobody should have to spend their entire lives paying for an education. My husband and I are working to pay back extensive student loans. We have lived experience of the detriment our current education system causes.

Section 9 - Housing

What is your plan to address homelessness in your community?

Sadly 3,400 students in the SJUSD identified as homeless and that number is believed to be conservative. My plan is to adopt prevention and early intervention strategies so that young people do not experience homelessness when they are young and that challenges don’t lead to chronic homelessness later in life. We can achieve this by adopting what is used in health/mental health cares as the whole person model. We must provide immediate and appropriate linkages to services and supports so that we avoid crisis later.

What is your plan to relieve the rental housing crisis?

Where I can help in this area is by engaging stakeholders to be involved in the exploration and decision making processes that will lead to solutions.

Do you support rent control and just cause eviction?

Yes, I support rent control. Yes, I support just cause eviction through the lease term.

Do you support the adoption of inclusionary housing ordinances?

Yes.

What is your plan for funding affordable housing construction?

This is an area I would like to learn more about. I do not have a plan to address this topic at this time.

Would you support a local ordinance to end Housing Choice Voucher discrimination (Section 8)? Please explain.

Yes I would. I believe in inclusion. We cannot achieve that if we silo our community based on socioeconomic standing.

What is your plan to ensure that working class people have opportunities for home ownership?

I can lead in this area by championing initiatives to educate students and staff about home ownership, funding for ownership, special programs, etc. This is reflective of my “whole child” approach for the district. This can be achieved by working with community based organizations to provide information and training on the topic. Education can include pathways to home ownership for both staff and students.

Section 10 – Transportation and Public Transit

Would you support a local sales tax measure to fund transportation and public transit? Please explain.

Yes. Transportation is a challenge in the SJUSD. We cover 75 square miles. It creates significant access issues for students and staff. Ease of public transportation will lead to equal access throughout the district and across socioeconomic levels in the district.

If you are seated on the board of SACOG, STA, or Regional Transit, how would you use your role and what would you prioritize?

I would not be seated on these bodies in my role as School Board Member.

What is your plan to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled in the region?

Many families in the district travel long distances to take advantage of the SJUSD open enrollment system. Families choose to go to schools other than neighborhood schools to seek better testing scores,

different focuses, etc. We need to improve neighborhood schools and build in a variety of learning opportunities and styles at each school site so that families do not need to travel long distances to achieve the education experience they are looking for.

What is your plan to improve local and regional public transit? Please describe a priority project.

I would like to work with stakeholders and experts to learn more about community need, community defined practices, and progress made to date.