School Board Candidate Profile: Matt Donahue

Benicia Patch has asked each City Council, school board and mayoral candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. We will feature the answers from one City Council candidate and one school board candidate each day. The mayoral candidiates will both be featured Friday, Sept. 16. Next week we will feature answers to reader-generated questions.

Basic Background

What is your full legal name?
Matthew Christopher Donahue

Where do you work and what is your job title?
Student Teacher, Chabot Elementary School, Oakland Unified School District
Student, Multiple Subject Teaching Program, Saint Mary's College of CA

When and where were you born?
April 4, 1989, in Sacramento, CA

Spouse or domestic partner?
No

Children
None

Education
B.A. Human Services, George Washington University, 2011
Studying for Multiple Subject Credential, Saint Mary's College of CA, 2012

Military Service
No

Have you or a business you owned or had a principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy?
No

How long have you lived in Benicia?
I have lived in Benicia for 17 years.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain and include dates and locations
No

Campaign information: 
www.VoteDonahue.com

This Campaign

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
I am young, but I have a lifetime of experience with the Benicia school system. At this moment in my life, I have the knowledge and ability to hold the office of Trustee and the energy and passion to do the job effectively. This is why I am running.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?
-Create a multi-year “Vision for Education” that defines goals and expected outcomes for education in our District. Much as our city has adopted a General Plan to guide growth, spending and cuts, BUSD must focus its investments and energies toward commonly agreed upon goals and priorities. A “Vision for Education” ensures that District monies are spent strategically and that cuts are made as far away from the classroom as possible.

-Increase private investment in our schools. Simply by facilitating opportunities for  meaningful interaction between local businesses, community members and the schools, we can increase investment of time and money in Benicia schools and turn liabilities into assets.  These efforts could be used to supplement the education of Benicia youth through job readiness programs, holistic nutrition programs, improvements in our technological infrastructure or upgrading to an eco-friendly and safe track at Benicia High School, among many other things. 

-Improve collaboration between the Board, the school sites, the students, and the community. As a Trustee, I promise to be an active member of the Benicia community throughout my term. On a District level, I will work to reestablish oversight committees for the budget, technology, and other educational and community priorities.  Personally, I will attend school-sponsored events, attend community events, and host events of my own in order to: (1) appreciate the abilities and hard work of those in our schools and community and (2) maximize the public's opportunity to interact and share their perspectives with me.

What sets you apart from other candidates?
The perspective I bring to the table as a former student, recent college graduate, and current educator are what set me apart most distinctly from the other candidates in the School Board race. All of these factors allow me to view the District from a unique angle, and enable me to ask questions and see issues others may overlook.

About how much money do you expect your campaign to raise?
My campaign committee has set a fundraising goal of roughly $1 per vote. Hopefully, that will total approximately $3,500.

About how much money do you expect your campaign to spend?
I anticipate we will spend all $3,500. If less is needed, then it will be donated to a worthy local charity.