About Basim Elkarra
As a parent and a son of teachers, I understand the importance of a quality education and strong neighborhood schools.
On the School Board, I will work in partnership with students, parents, teachers, and the community to provide the resources needed for students to succeed in the 21st century. My priorities: safe, healthy, technologically modern classrooms; programs that help kids stay on the right track and out of trouble; increased student achievement; smaller class sizes; and resources to recruit and retain the best teachers.
As chair of Los Rios Community College's bond oversight committee, I understand the importance of fiscal stewardship. If elected, I will cut unnecessary spending, make sound business decisions, value our employees, and put students first.
Education is my passion. I've run a youth leadership program for 10 years, helping students enter top universities. I organize an annual Education and Career Day that teaches students how to pay for college and find a job.
I’m honored to have the support of Councilmembers Angelique Ashby and Allen Warren, Supervisor Phil Serna, and many other community leaders. With your vote on May 12th we can work together to build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
Basim Elkarra - On the Issues
Improving Student Performance
Too many of our students are falling behind, with some of the lowest test scores and high school graduation rates of any district in the area. We need to provide our kids with a 21st Century education and prepare them for the world, and that means improving student performance.
I will:
- Support early childhood education;
- Reduce class sizes;
- Provide more support and resources for teachers and staff;
- Increase mentoring and other programs targeting at-risk youth;
- Work with local businesses to provide work-study programs, internships, and apprenticeships to prepare young people for the job market;
- Increase the role of technology in the classroom.
Schools that are Safe for Teachers, Students and Staff
Our first job is providing a safe place for students to learn and teachers to teach.
We need to work closely with our district’s police officers, school resource officers, teachers, and administrators to ensure that every student goes to school in a safe, positive environment. We also need to stay ahead of the challenges today’s students face with bullying and cyberbullying.
Regain Taxpayers’ Faith in District Management
As the Executive Director of a non-profit and a member of the Los Rios Community College Board Oversight Committee, I know that opening up district financial and contracting practices to public scrutiny is the fastest way to earn back taxpayers’ trust.
We need to budget smarter, reduce administrative waste and and put more of our resources in the classroom, where they belong.
Through better planning, we can better weather short-term changes in our economy, and avoid the boom and bust cycles we have seen in the past. One of my top priorities will be ensuring our schools never have to face the sharp cuts or deficit spending we have endured in the past.
Promoting Neighborhood Schools
I am strongly committed to increasing the number of schools in Twin Rivers Unified School District, especially those in Area 5, which currently has only one elementary and one middle school - fewer than any other Trustee Area.
Existing facilities are overcrowded, and we need a new elementary, middle school and high school in our Area. I will support the construction of new facilities in area 5 and the completion of the long-stalled East Natomas Educational Complex (ENEC).