In a new era of COVID-19 campaigning, EGUSD Trustee candidate Sean Yang holds meet and greet for supporters

In the era of campaigning during the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates are writing new playbooks for voter engagement. For Elk Grove Unified School District Trustee candidate Sean Yang, part of that strategy is holding small gatherings of supporters.

On the morning of Saturday, August 8, Yang held one such gathering at the Elk Grove Regional Park. By design Yang invited about 15 supporters to hear about his candidacy for the Area 3 seat being vacated by Chet Madison.

After his opening remarks and explanation of why he is running (see video below), Yang opened a question and answer segment where supporters asked for his positions of a variety of issues. While many of the questions became a dialogue on the still-evolving ramifications of COVID-19 distance learning, he also fielded questions on older issues included school resources officers and his position of charter schools.

School resource officers, or SRO's, are generally sworn law enforcement officers, have been a source of frustration for some students and parents in the Elk Grove school district.  Detractors claim SRO's disproportionately target minority and African-American students and are a factor in the so-called school to prison pipeline.

"What's the benefit of SROs if they are not needed, we have to find other resources to substitute that, and I am open to that," Vang said. "So I am open to discuss possible alternatives away from SROs, but we have to look at the data."

On the question of charter schools, Vang acknowledged their controversial nature, but added if they help students, " I don't see to much wrong with it." He said, however, his belief in public schools is deep.

"It is the system I went to, and I love the public school system, the charters school system is OK, but I am supporting the public school system more so," Vang added.  

A 1996 graduate of Elk Grove Unified School District's Valley High School, Vang has received several endorsements. Those supporters include Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly, Cosumnes Community Services District Directors Rod Brewer and Orlando Fuentes, Elk Grove Unified School District Trustee Carmine Forcina, C.C. Yin, founder of Asian Pacific Island American Public Affairs, and Dr. Catherine Vang, Vice President of California Northstate University.

Video on the next page

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