Charlie Jones, Teacher & PUSD Graduate, Running For School Board

PLEASANTON, CA — Charlie Jones, a graduate of Pleasanton schools and a teacher at Hayward’s Tennyson High School, launched his campaign Sunday for the Area 4 seat on the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees. If elected, Jones would be the first openly LGBTQ+ elected official in Pleasanton’s 130-year history.

Jones attended PUSD schools from K-12, and his mother was substitute secretary at the district office. After graduating Amador Valley High School, where he played for the marching band and played rugby, he attended Las Positas College, then Arizona State University, and received a secondary education degree from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Jones is now a teacher and the social studies department chair at Tennyson High School, where he is focused on improving student success, saving taxpayer money, and improving social equity. He has long fought against school closures, promoted parent participation, and fought for improved working conditions for school employees. If elected to the PUSD Board, Jones said he hopes to use his experience to stabilize the budget, strengthen student services, and solidify community and family engagement.

“There is so much that is great about our schools, but we need to finally balance our budget
after five years of deficit spending, so our students no longer have to worry about important
programs being cut,” Jones said in a statement. “And when our district makes decisions, I will listen to every stakeholder – from parents, to teachers, to support staff, to community members – instead of treating them like an afterthought in a survey.”

Jones launched his campaign at Amador Valley Park, and roughly 50 regional and community leaders attended. Speakers included Association of Pleasanton Teachers President Cheryl Arkin, Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Angela Normand, and Tracy City
Councilmember Dan Arriola.

He has also received support from State Senator Aisha Wahab, Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Cheryl Cook-Kallio, the Association of Pleasanton Teachers, the Building and Construction Trades of Alameda County, the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 104, and the California Young Democrats, among others.

Visit charlieforschoolboard.com for more information.