Meet Jean Paulsen, Candidate For Livermore School Board

LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for the LVJUSD Board of Education with identical questions. Here are the responses from Jean Paulsen, a retired paralegal and community volunteer.

Responses have not been altered.

1. What is your personal, educational, and professional background?

Considering the fact that I've spent over half my life as a student, education shaped me into the woman that I am and made me a well informed voter! I benefited from the Livermore public school system as I graduated from Arroyo Seco Elementary, to East Avenue Middle School, and moved on to Livermore High School. With this solid academic foundation, I earned my Bachelor in Political Science from Humboldt State University and my Paralegal Certificate from San Francisco State University (by the way, Paralegal School is the equivalent of a 1L). I want everyone to have the same quality of education that I experienced.

Which is why I support public education and do not support book banning. We have the freedom to read. Although, I recommend the inside of the book jackets to have warning labels like a PG-13, R-rated system. Safety first.

2. How long have you lived in Livermore?

I have lived in Livermore for over 30 years.

3. What brought you here?

That's a vague existential question. Do you mean "what brought [me]" to Livermore or "what brought [me]" to run for school board...I'll answer both.

Easy. My parents brought me here because of the great schools.

What made me want to run for school board...I am very concerned about funding and about those book bannings. Especially, since I myself am a graphic novel writer (self copyrighted, between agents).

4. How have you been involved in the community?

I was there when it mattered most. I was an essential 2020 Census worker as well as an essential 2020 election poll worker. That's right...I battled unforgiving temperatures, endured smoke filled skies, and faced the deadly pandemic for our democracy. Carpe diem, baby!

5. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges facing the LVJUSD?

a) Safety and Mental Health
b) Funding
c) Student Extra Curricular Activities.

6. What are your plans for addressing them?

a) Safety means the end of selling flavored vape pens in my town; Mental Health means clamping down on social media accounts that target students via bullying/hate speech. Every student and parent/guardian signs an accountability/due diligence contract to end this persecution. Students have a right to study in peace.

b) Fund schools with a school bond and/or a grant writer.

c) Students that participate in school activities contribute to their community later on in life. So, more art classes, science fairs, more clubs, gardens, etc.

7. What makes you the best candidate?

Hey, that's subjective favoritism...but, seriously. That's up to the voters.

8. Outside of politics, what do you enjoy doing?

Origami, Gardening, Playing Video Games (Myst, FF12, Ever Oasis, Kingdom Hearts), and Writing/Drawing my next Graphic Novel.

9. Any other comments?

There's a school board meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Jack London place at 685 E Jack London.

I'm a member of the Livermore Library.

I am a member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (I'm not an atheist; the FFRF is a pro bono 1st Amendment civil rights organization).

And, I remember from 5th, 8th, 11th grade history classes, and from my Paralegal classes, that the President is not a king!