Lovenburg, Harris, Measures Q and P win amid low turnout

On an evening when the school board races were all but decided during absentee voting and the ballot measures decided shortly thereafter, the story of the day was the extremely low turnout. While the final figures are perhaps a few days away from being made official, it appears certain that turnout did not top 30 percent.

This was not a tremendous surprise given the relatively low interest that the school board election seemed to draw on this blog and throughout the community.

In the end, the results were pretty much as expected. Susan Lovenburg finished first, Richard Harris finished a comfortable, but relatively close second to Lovenburg. There was a considerable gap to the third place finish of Bob Schelen who was narrowly above Joe Spector.

In the low turnout, the establishment and relatively better known candidates won.

At first the ballot measures looked to be in doubt with Measure P drawing a very narrow margin above the two-thirds needed and Measure Q falling four votes shy of the two-thirds needed. But as the precincts themselves came in, both Measure P and Measure Q passed by comfortable margins with P garnering over 73% and Q just under 73%.

Both Measures won just under 80% of the vote that was cast on election day. So while the absentees mirrored the results of the school board election, there was a sizable gap between the results of the ballot measures. The folks at the election office felt that was somewhat typical, with the gap closing in recent years between absentee and non-absentee voters, nevertheless, absentee voters still tend to be more conservative and less supportive of tax measures.

The Vanguard will have some interviews and postmortems with the winning school board candidates. We are quite pleased that both parcel tax measures passed, the money was badly needed by both the library and the schools. Stay tuned for much more coverage.

—-Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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88 comments

  1. As the dust settles from election day, the faithful Vanguard reader will begin the debriefing of this election cycle. While saddened by the low voter turnout and the poor showing of Schelen and Spector, I am pleased to see P and Q pass. In a nutshell, this school board race consisted of candidates grasping for relevant educational issues to discuss with a dis-engaged and largely uninterested electorate. Congrats to Mr. Harris and Mrs. Lovenburg on their victories. Do our community a big favor now. Settle the contract dispute with the teachrs. We do not need labor strife in this community for a crummy 1% more on the teachers’ salary schedule. The BOE had $1/4 mil to dish off to Mr. Murphy and enough to give the new super a 33% raise over the last super, so let’s get real and give the teachers their modest 2% in salary and 2% in benefits and get on with the task of governing the schools. I thought the teachers showed great restraint during the campaign season, trying very hard not to upset the Measure Q “apple cart”. Teachers helped deliver the vote on Q….so it is now time to settle up with the teachers. Do the right thing-new boe members!

  2. As the dust settles from election day, the faithful Vanguard reader will begin the debriefing of this election cycle. While saddened by the low voter turnout and the poor showing of Schelen and Spector, I am pleased to see P and Q pass. In a nutshell, this school board race consisted of candidates grasping for relevant educational issues to discuss with a dis-engaged and largely uninterested electorate. Congrats to Mr. Harris and Mrs. Lovenburg on their victories. Do our community a big favor now. Settle the contract dispute with the teachrs. We do not need labor strife in this community for a crummy 1% more on the teachers’ salary schedule. The BOE had $1/4 mil to dish off to Mr. Murphy and enough to give the new super a 33% raise over the last super, so let’s get real and give the teachers their modest 2% in salary and 2% in benefits and get on with the task of governing the schools. I thought the teachers showed great restraint during the campaign season, trying very hard not to upset the Measure Q “apple cart”. Teachers helped deliver the vote on Q….so it is now time to settle up with the teachers. Do the right thing-new boe members!

  3. As the dust settles from election day, the faithful Vanguard reader will begin the debriefing of this election cycle. While saddened by the low voter turnout and the poor showing of Schelen and Spector, I am pleased to see P and Q pass. In a nutshell, this school board race consisted of candidates grasping for relevant educational issues to discuss with a dis-engaged and largely uninterested electorate. Congrats to Mr. Harris and Mrs. Lovenburg on their victories. Do our community a big favor now. Settle the contract dispute with the teachrs. We do not need labor strife in this community for a crummy 1% more on the teachers’ salary schedule. The BOE had $1/4 mil to dish off to Mr. Murphy and enough to give the new super a 33% raise over the last super, so let’s get real and give the teachers their modest 2% in salary and 2% in benefits and get on with the task of governing the schools. I thought the teachers showed great restraint during the campaign season, trying very hard not to upset the Measure Q “apple cart”. Teachers helped deliver the vote on Q….so it is now time to settle up with the teachers. Do the right thing-new boe members!

  4. As the dust settles from election day, the faithful Vanguard reader will begin the debriefing of this election cycle. While saddened by the low voter turnout and the poor showing of Schelen and Spector, I am pleased to see P and Q pass. In a nutshell, this school board race consisted of candidates grasping for relevant educational issues to discuss with a dis-engaged and largely uninterested electorate. Congrats to Mr. Harris and Mrs. Lovenburg on their victories. Do our community a big favor now. Settle the contract dispute with the teachrs. We do not need labor strife in this community for a crummy 1% more on the teachers’ salary schedule. The BOE had $1/4 mil to dish off to Mr. Murphy and enough to give the new super a 33% raise over the last super, so let’s get real and give the teachers their modest 2% in salary and 2% in benefits and get on with the task of governing the schools. I thought the teachers showed great restraint during the campaign season, trying very hard not to upset the Measure Q “apple cart”. Teachers helped deliver the vote on Q….so it is now time to settle up with the teachers. Do the right thing-new boe members!

  5. Congrats to Lovenburg and Harris! I thought all candidates did a good job and were committed to the students.

    I too am very happy that Measures P & Q won! I was sweating bullets watching and reading the returns on the Vanguard.

    I hope Harris and Lovenburg give the teachers the raise they deserve! We have great teachers in DJUSD now let’s show them that we appreciate them!

  6. Congrats to Lovenburg and Harris! I thought all candidates did a good job and were committed to the students.

    I too am very happy that Measures P & Q won! I was sweating bullets watching and reading the returns on the Vanguard.

    I hope Harris and Lovenburg give the teachers the raise they deserve! We have great teachers in DJUSD now let’s show them that we appreciate them!

  7. Congrats to Lovenburg and Harris! I thought all candidates did a good job and were committed to the students.

    I too am very happy that Measures P & Q won! I was sweating bullets watching and reading the returns on the Vanguard.

    I hope Harris and Lovenburg give the teachers the raise they deserve! We have great teachers in DJUSD now let’s show them that we appreciate them!

  8. Congrats to Lovenburg and Harris! I thought all candidates did a good job and were committed to the students.

    I too am very happy that Measures P & Q won! I was sweating bullets watching and reading the returns on the Vanguard.

    I hope Harris and Lovenburg give the teachers the raise they deserve! We have great teachers in DJUSD now let’s show them that we appreciate them!

  9. In contrast to the other posts, I hope that Lovenberg and Harris make the budgetary decisions that are best for our students. If they decide that the district cannot afford a raise for our teachers, I will respect that decision. As for the salaries of the school administrators (or other high level government administrators, for that matter), they are paid high salaries because they are charged with ensuring that the schools spend their money as wisely as possible. I would expect that a good administrator could bring far more money home to the district through grants or creative cost savings than their salaries cost the district.

    regardless of whether that involves a raise for our teachers.

  10. In contrast to the other posts, I hope that Lovenberg and Harris make the budgetary decisions that are best for our students. If they decide that the district cannot afford a raise for our teachers, I will respect that decision. As for the salaries of the school administrators (or other high level government administrators, for that matter), they are paid high salaries because they are charged with ensuring that the schools spend their money as wisely as possible. I would expect that a good administrator could bring far more money home to the district through grants or creative cost savings than their salaries cost the district.

    regardless of whether that involves a raise for our teachers.

  11. In contrast to the other posts, I hope that Lovenberg and Harris make the budgetary decisions that are best for our students. If they decide that the district cannot afford a raise for our teachers, I will respect that decision. As for the salaries of the school administrators (or other high level government administrators, for that matter), they are paid high salaries because they are charged with ensuring that the schools spend their money as wisely as possible. I would expect that a good administrator could bring far more money home to the district through grants or creative cost savings than their salaries cost the district.

    regardless of whether that involves a raise for our teachers.

  12. In contrast to the other posts, I hope that Lovenberg and Harris make the budgetary decisions that are best for our students. If they decide that the district cannot afford a raise for our teachers, I will respect that decision. As for the salaries of the school administrators (or other high level government administrators, for that matter), they are paid high salaries because they are charged with ensuring that the schools spend their money as wisely as possible. I would expect that a good administrator could bring far more money home to the district through grants or creative cost savings than their salaries cost the district.

    regardless of whether that involves a raise for our teachers.

  13. The Yolo county Elections Office web page includes details by precinct for each measure, along with a map showing how precints voted. For P and Q it’s an interesting map – looks like a belaguered green-for-yes center under attack by big red-for-no blocs to the NW and SE. Make your own interpretation.

  14. The Yolo county Elections Office web page includes details by precinct for each measure, along with a map showing how precints voted. For P and Q it’s an interesting map – looks like a belaguered green-for-yes center under attack by big red-for-no blocs to the NW and SE. Make your own interpretation.

  15. The Yolo county Elections Office web page includes details by precinct for each measure, along with a map showing how precints voted. For P and Q it’s an interesting map – looks like a belaguered green-for-yes center under attack by big red-for-no blocs to the NW and SE. Make your own interpretation.

  16. The Yolo county Elections Office web page includes details by precinct for each measure, along with a map showing how precints voted. For P and Q it’s an interesting map – looks like a belaguered green-for-yes center under attack by big red-for-no blocs to the NW and SE. Make your own interpretation.

  17. The history of high paid superintendents and administrators has never been a fix for education. In most cases they come and go while the teachers stay on and maintain the local systems. Budget problems in education come from poor financing and often state imposed rules and regulation that are frightfully unrealistic and motivated by powerful special interests. Teacher’s unions are only one of those special interest groups and they too are frequently guilty of not recognizing specific local needs. If the teachers want a raise they are going to have to fight for it. The recent election does not give the teachers new friends on the BOE. So don’t whine and beg, roll up your sleeves and get ready to demand what you think you deserve. Otherwise take what you get.

  18. The history of high paid superintendents and administrators has never been a fix for education. In most cases they come and go while the teachers stay on and maintain the local systems. Budget problems in education come from poor financing and often state imposed rules and regulation that are frightfully unrealistic and motivated by powerful special interests. Teacher’s unions are only one of those special interest groups and they too are frequently guilty of not recognizing specific local needs. If the teachers want a raise they are going to have to fight for it. The recent election does not give the teachers new friends on the BOE. So don’t whine and beg, roll up your sleeves and get ready to demand what you think you deserve. Otherwise take what you get.

  19. The history of high paid superintendents and administrators has never been a fix for education. In most cases they come and go while the teachers stay on and maintain the local systems. Budget problems in education come from poor financing and often state imposed rules and regulation that are frightfully unrealistic and motivated by powerful special interests. Teacher’s unions are only one of those special interest groups and they too are frequently guilty of not recognizing specific local needs. If the teachers want a raise they are going to have to fight for it. The recent election does not give the teachers new friends on the BOE. So don’t whine and beg, roll up your sleeves and get ready to demand what you think you deserve. Otherwise take what you get.

  20. The history of high paid superintendents and administrators has never been a fix for education. In most cases they come and go while the teachers stay on and maintain the local systems. Budget problems in education come from poor financing and often state imposed rules and regulation that are frightfully unrealistic and motivated by powerful special interests. Teacher’s unions are only one of those special interest groups and they too are frequently guilty of not recognizing specific local needs. If the teachers want a raise they are going to have to fight for it. The recent election does not give the teachers new friends on the BOE. So don’t whine and beg, roll up your sleeves and get ready to demand what you think you deserve. Otherwise take what you get.

  21. We will all very quickly see if the new School Board embraces the idea of the Valley Oak Charter School or if they are going to nit-pick and force the application through the appeal process to discourage parents from signing their children up.

  22. We will all very quickly see if the new School Board embraces the idea of the Valley Oak Charter School or if they are going to nit-pick and force the application through the appeal process to discourage parents from signing their children up.

  23. We will all very quickly see if the new School Board embraces the idea of the Valley Oak Charter School or if they are going to nit-pick and force the application through the appeal process to discourage parents from signing their children up.

  24. We will all very quickly see if the new School Board embraces the idea of the Valley Oak Charter School or if they are going to nit-pick and force the application through the appeal process to discourage parents from signing their children up.

  25. Given the precarious condition of the state budget, I think the Board will have to be very careful in its bargaining. The best possible outcome for K-14 next year will be growth and COLA (growth for Davis will likley be nonexistent), and a suspension of the Prop 98 guarantee can’t be ruled out. That could mean a 0% COLA or even a reduction to general purpose funding.

    The district must prepare for lean times.

  26. Given the precarious condition of the state budget, I think the Board will have to be very careful in its bargaining. The best possible outcome for K-14 next year will be growth and COLA (growth for Davis will likley be nonexistent), and a suspension of the Prop 98 guarantee can’t be ruled out. That could mean a 0% COLA or even a reduction to general purpose funding.

    The district must prepare for lean times.

  27. Given the precarious condition of the state budget, I think the Board will have to be very careful in its bargaining. The best possible outcome for K-14 next year will be growth and COLA (growth for Davis will likley be nonexistent), and a suspension of the Prop 98 guarantee can’t be ruled out. That could mean a 0% COLA or even a reduction to general purpose funding.

    The district must prepare for lean times.

  28. Given the precarious condition of the state budget, I think the Board will have to be very careful in its bargaining. The best possible outcome for K-14 next year will be growth and COLA (growth for Davis will likley be nonexistent), and a suspension of the Prop 98 guarantee can’t be ruled out. That could mean a 0% COLA or even a reduction to general purpose funding.

    The district must prepare for lean times.

  29. In the low turnout, the establishment and relatively better known candidates won.

    Better known maybe, but how is Schelen – a politico who has worked with the city/county/state Dems and got the party endorsement – not an “establishment” candidate?