Vote Kendra Guimaraes for Fortuna’s future

As a retired teacher and former union representative from

Fortuna High, I have stayed in touch with many of the current teachers and so was very surprised to read the words of FUHS Board of Trustees President, Charles Ellebrecht, in the Lost Coast Outpost. Responding to the teachers with compromised health conditions he said, “you can find a doctor to get you whatever you want” implying that the teachers would lie to get out of work. He also accused teachers of “political extortion,” of holding children as hostages, for simply asking for safe working conditions.

I then reached out to several teachers and asked how I could support them in such a hostile environment. Their response: Mr Ellebrecht is up for reelection. Help us elect someone who truly cares about the whole educational community.

Lucky for Fortuna High, they have a stellar candidate to replace the man who seems to have no respect for his teachers, Kendra Guimaraes. In the words of the teachers of Fortuna High who have worked with her : “Kendra is an educator and parent who is openminded, innovative, and empathetic. She will ensure positive collaboration between community, educators and administrators.”

Let us stop our divisive blaming of each other and begin to work together. Get out and vote. Make a change. Our children, our teachers and our education system cannot function without the whole community behind them.