PUSD Names Sukanya Goswami New Piedmont High School Principal (Piedmont, Ca., April 22, 2022) – The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce Sukanya Goswami as the new principal of Piedmont High School, replacing the retiring Adam Littlefield.

Currently serving as Assistant Principal at Miramonte High School in Orinda, Ms. Goswami brings 20 years of experience in secondary education to PUSD – four as a site administrator, one in a District leadership position, and 15 as a high school English Teacher.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to join PUSD as principal of Piedmont High School,” Goswami said. “The school and District have a tremendous reputation and the Piedmont community as a whole is well-known for its unwavering support of students and education. I look forward to becoming a part of Piedmont and building on the great work being done in and out of the classroom.”

“Ms. Goswami demonstrated throughout the interview process that she has the skills, intellect, experience, and convictions to meet the demands of this position, as well as an ability to build a community to face whatever challenges lie ahead for PHS,” added PUSD Superintendent, Randall Booker. “We came away feeling she has a strong understanding of what it means to lead in an academically high-performing environment, and is eager to work with teachers and staff to build high expectations and a culture where people want to take part.”

Born and raised in India, Ms. Goswami taught English at the middle and high school level in India and France before moving to the United States in 1998. She worked in the private sector until 2004, when she was hired as an English Teacher at Granada High School in Livermore, working there for one school year before moving on to Newark Memorial High School where she remained for 14 years – serving five years as the school’s English Department Chair and three years as Professional Learning Community (PLC) Coordinator.

In 2018, Ms. Goswami moved into an administrative role as Vice Principal of Westmoor High School in Daly City, where she spent three years before moving into her current position at Miramonte High School.

Both as an educator and as a leader, Ms. Goswami says her educational philosophy is based on creating opportunities for students and staff. “As an educator, my goal has been to remove barriers to create equitable opportunities for all students and to create a culture that benefits all aspects of student growth – behavior, academic and socioemotional. As a leader, I strive to motivate educators to learn from one another, both at the site and in external professional learning opportunities.”

Ms. Goswami resides in Fremont with her husband and two sons.

Pending Board approval on April 27, she will assume her new position at Piedmont High School on July 1, 2022.

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Click below to read the interview process:

Piedmont High School Principal Interview Process > PHS Interview 2022

“The Piedmont Unified School District is inviting Piedmonters to tour the new STEAM building and Performing Arts Center Saturday April 30, from 1:00-4:00.

“The 20 minute tours will start in front of the STEAM building and end in the lobby of the theater. Residents will have an opportunity to see new classrooms, science labs, music rooms and performance spaces. They’ll be led by members of the Facilities Steering Committee who advised the district before and during construction and members of The Piedmont Education Foundation.

“Attached is a link to sign up for slots in one of the 5 time slots.”

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084FA8AE2FA4F85-tour

To view the appointee list:  Click below

2022-04-19 Commission Appointments

• ·     The City purchased the 801 Magnolia Avenue property in 2003 at a cost of $735,000.  A the time, the City was developing the Civic Center Master Plan, a redevelopment of the Civic Center that called for replacing the 801 building with a modern building and civic plaza.  Undergrounding cost overruns and the 2008 economic downturn forestalled proceeding with the master plan at that time.

• ·     In March, 2011, the City received a proposal from the Piedmont Center for the Arts to lease the building.  The City conducted a public hearing, “Consideration of the Concept of use of City Property at 801 Magnolia Avenue by the Piedmont Center for the Arts” at which PCA presented its Articles of Incorporation which state “The specific purpose of this corporation is to promote artistic endeavors for youth within the Piedmont community by providing exhibit and performance space and a website to connect the Arts Center with exhibitors and renters.”  At the hearing, commenters recommended other uses for the building such as a Maker Center, teen or senior center and public library.

• ·     In April, 2011 PCA signed a 10-year, no-rent lease with the City which stipulated that PCA could rent space to only non-profit sub-tenants.  Over the ensuing 10 years, the City modified the Zone B use restrictions so that a for-profit business of a PCA Board member could be operated in the 801 Magnolia Building.

• ·     In November 2021, the City came forward with a 10-year lease renewal with PCA.  No public hearings on the use of the 801 Building were held at City Council or city commissions nor did Council discuss the 801 lease renewal in closed session prior to the November meeting.

Failure to engage the public and City Council in discussions of use of the 801 Building prior to the November meeting soured the public process from the start.  According to the City Charter, “An ordinance may be introduced by any Councilmember at any regular or special meeting of the City Council.”

At the November 2021 meeting, the previous Mayor publicly stated he was asked by PCA to open negotiations on a new lease and presumably used this ordinance authority to bring forward the new lease (at his last meeting as mayor). But in so doing, he ignored the input of his Council colleagues and the community at large on the use of 801 Magnolia.  Other factors contributing to public dissatisfaction with the process were flaws in the lease and the obvious bias to Piedmont Center for the Arts it contained. Read the analysis by Rick Raushenbush to see just how badly the first draft of the agreement represented the City’s interest.

https://www.piedmontcivic.org/2020/11/29/opinion-four-major-flaws-in-proposed-art-center-lease/

Since November 2021, overwhelming public opposition to the first draft of the lease and the process by which it was brought forward resulted in the City taking more control of the building and relying on a facility use agreement that was approved by Council in March, 2022

(http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18384268). 

But as with the first draft, no public hearings or closed sessions of City Council on the use of 801 were held in the ensuing 15 months and again, the majority of public comment has been critical of the agreement and the lack of transparency into its development.  So three meetings over a 15-month period was not a “robust public process” but a series of reactionary meetings with the public trying to claw back access to this public building.

What’s really confounding is why the City didn’t conduct an open public process on the use of 801 Magnolia?  PCA would likely have retained preeminent use of the building with better community access being achieved at the same time.  Instead, a lease highly favorable to PCA was always the only topic for comment, sending a strong signal that it was a fait accompli.  It should be noted that it was in the City’s interest, as well, to have a limited discussion of 801’s use.  Office space is at a premium in City Hall and no doubt staff will make use of the new space in 801 for employees.

There are three spaces in the 801 building – the office space, classroom and performance hall – and a more equitable agreement would be to have assigned the classroom to the community as a senior center.  The Recreation Department is doing a better job of providing senior programming, but what seniors really need more is a gathering space and the 801 classroom would be perfect for that.

Why all this matters is that 6 years from now the facility use agreement will expire and the community will again go through this process for the 801 building. Several current Councilmembers could be involved again so hopefully a better public process will be followed.  This whole saga reminded me of the scene from Oliver Twist when Oliver approaches the master and asks “Please sir, I want some more”.  Hopefully it won’t be so hard to ask next time.

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author. 

*Since 1986, PCA has been the logo for the Piedmont Civic Association.  In 2011, when the Piedmont Center for the Arts was formed and  began using PCA as an identifying symbol, the Piedmont Civic Association  informed the Arts Center of the potential misunderstanding for two Piedmont organizations to refer to themselves as PCA.   The two PCA organizations are separate and unrelated entities serving Piedmont.  The Piedmont Civic Association has never had a lease or agreement with the City of Piedmont for use of  801 Magnolia Avenue. 

Monday, April 18, 2022 – 6:00 p.m. Piedmont City Hall

Mayor Teddy King, who’s position ends in  November, has planned a Special Council Meeting dedicated exclusively to her presentation on the State of Piedmont.

Recently, only once has a Piedmont mayor made such a presentation.  The King presentation preempts Council action at the usually scheduled council meeting.

A reception will follow the Mayor’s presentation.  The meeting and reception are open to all. 

Agenda and participation details are linked below:

4-182022council-current-agenda

Updated April 19, 2022 – 

Read Mayor Teddy King presentation >  State of the City Address – As Prepared

Admissions time in Piedmont comes as schools face further declines, forcing school closures in some Bay Area cities.

“The [California] 1.8% enrollment decline, on top of the 2.6% record drop in 2020-21, is a combined loss of 271,000 students since Covid struck in spring 2020. Enrollment as of Census Day, always the first Wednesday of October, was 5.89 million students this year; five years ago, it was 6.23 million.”  Ed Source, April 11, 2022

Read more here

PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMISSION

Age of Admission to Kindergarten and First Grade

Proof of age shall be required of all enrolling students.

At the beginning of each school year, the Superintendent or designee shall enroll any otherwise eligible child into Kindergarten only if they will have their fifth birthday on or before September 1 of that year and into First Grade only if they will have their 6th birthday on or before September of that year. (Education Code 48000, 48010)

Any child who will have his/her fifth birthday from September 2 through December 2 of the school year shall be offered a transitional kindergarten (TK) program in accordance with law and Board policy. (Education Code 48000)

(cf. 5123 – Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)

(cf. 6170.1 – Transitional Kindergarten)

On a case-by-case basis, a child who will turn five years old in a given school year may be enrolled in kindergarten at any time during that school year with the approval of the child’s parent/guardian, provided that: (Education Code 48000)

1. The Governing Board determines that the admittance is in the best interests of the child.
2. The parent/guardian is given information regarding the advantages and disadvantages and any other explanatory information about the effect of this early admittance.

(cf. 5145.6 – Parental Notifications)

The Superintendent or designee shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding whether a child should be granted early entry to kindergarten. In doing so, the Superintendent or designee shall consider various factors including the availability of classroom space and any negotiated maximum class size.

(cf. 6151 – Class Size)

(cf. 7111 – Evaluating Existing Buildings)

Documentation of Age/Grade

Prior to the admission of a child to kindergarten or first grade, the parent/guardian shall present proof of the child’s age. (Education Code 48002)

Evidence of the child’s age may include: (Education Code 48002)

1. A certified copy of a birth certificate or a statement by the local registrar or county recorder certifying the date of birth
2. A duly attested baptism certificate
3. A passport

When none of the foregoing is obtainable, the parent/guardian may provide any other appropriate means of proving the age of the child. (Education Code 48002)

Transitional Kindergarten 

Senate Bill 1381 also created a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for all public elementary schools. Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. 

Students whose 5th birthday falls between September 2nd and December 2nd are eligible for the Transitional Kindergarten Program only, with the expectation that they will participate in traditional kindergarten the following year.

CONTACT THE PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Piedmont Unified School District

Piedmonters deserve more input and collaboration on the selection of the new high and middle school principals – 

  This year, Piedmonters have gifted over 16 million dollars to our schools–this is in addition to our property taxes.  Such support warrants much more communication from Superintendent Booker related to the hiring of the new high and middle school principals.  Almost all the information requested by parents at the March 17th Piedmont High School Parents Club meeting still has not been revealed.  Our schools are key to our city, and the principals are key to our schools. 

 Piedmonters deserve more input and collaboration on this important position.  Other school districts in California collaborate more with their citizens.

As background context please refer to Jay Russell’s reporting on Page 7 of the April 13, 2022 edition of the Piedmont Post.

Dai Meagher, Piedmont Resident

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

On Thursday, April 7th at 4:30 p.m., the City of Piedmont will present a virtual [via Zoom] discussion entitled “Welcome to Piedmont:Real Estate Practices In Support of an Inclusive Community.”

The City of Piedmont meeting will be co-sponsored with Piedmont League of Women Voters, Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee, and Piedmont Racial Equity Campaign.

Community members and real estate professionals are invited to participate in this online community conversation which will include a brief presentation that sets the historical and current context for real estate practices and their impact on the makeup of our community, followed by a moderated panel discussion on the benefits of creating an intentionally inclusive environment.

Come brainstorm ideas for how the residents of Piedmont and the real estate community can develop best practices that affirm Piedmont’s commitment to be a more welcoming and diverse community.

The event will be moderated by Carol Galante, Founder of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley and panelists will include Maureen Kennedy, retired Piedmont agent; Farrah Wilder, California Association of Realtors; Ashley Gardner, California Housing Finance Agency.

“Real estate transactions and the interplay between sellers, real estate professionals and potential buyers is one piece of a complex puzzle we are striving to solve… how to bring more diversity to Piedmont,” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “We look forward to an engaging dialogue focused on evolving practices and new ideas to help shape the Piedmont of the future.”

To participate in this event, please use the Zoom Registration Link (https://piedmont-cagov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zGnJ-AWnT4KFzrNxe2mKlg)

Note: Registration for the event requires personal information and becomes a part of the City’s public record on attendees. 

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Government Code Section – California Legislative Information

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov › codes_displayText

A member of the public shall not be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a legislative body of a local agency, to register his or her name ..

What is a meeting?

B. Meetings: The central provision of the Brown Act requires that all “meetings” of a legislative body be open and public. The Brown Act definition of the term “meeting” (Section 54952.2) is a very broad definition that encompasses almost every gathering of a majority of Council members and includes: “Any congregation of a majority of members of a legislative body at the same time and place to hear, discuss, or deliberate upon any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body or the local agency to which it pertains.”

In plain English, this means that a meeting is any gathering of a majority of members to hear or discuss any item of city business or potential city business.

PCA 2022-03-22 Welcome to Piedmont – Real Estate Practices Event – Updated Time

Piedmont for the first time has an all female city council and school board plus, a female City Administrator and City Attorney.

When Piedmont became a city in 1907, women could not vote.  In March during Women’s History month, women were urged to become more involved in public policy making.

Meet your Piedmont elected officials, City Administrator, and City Attorney. 

Mayor Teddy Gray King

Mayor Teddy Gray King was elected to the Piedmont City Council in 2014 following a decade of service to the city of Piedmont on various commissions. She brings to public office extensive government and public policy experience, having worked as staff to a member of Congress in Washington DC and for the city and county of San Francisco. Her areas of expertise include, energy, transportation and infrastructure, housing, and environmental sustainability. Teddy represents the city of Piedmont at the League of California Cities, where she is a member of both the Women’s Caucus and the Hispanic Caucus. In addition, she serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Mayor King lives with her three children in Piedmont where they attend local public schools.

Current term: Second term expires 11/2022

Contact
tking@piedmont.ca.gov
(510) 420-3048

Vice Mayor Jen Cavenaugh

Jennifer Cavenaugh was elected to City Council in November 2016 and is serving her second term. As a former business executive, a wife and mother of three children in Piedmont schools, and a high-impact community organizer, she strives to preserve the many aspects that make Piedmont special while investing in the city’s future.

Prior to being elected, Cavenaugh was a member of the Piedmont’s Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee Member where she focused on required investments to fund the city’s infrastructure. This infrastructure includes municipal buildings, parks & recreational facilities, and streets and sidewalks. She also led the Recreation Department’s Community Outreach Project which allowed the department to better align its growth with community interests.

She has served as the liaison to several city commissions including Public Safety, Recreation, Planning and Audit. She is active in the League of California Cities as a Legislative Policy member on Environmental Quality and Community Service committees. She participates in regional initiatives through East Bay Economic Development Alliance, Association of Bay Area Governments, East Bay Community Energy and the Alameda County Transportation Commission.

She works to collaborate with schools and community organizations for mutually beneficial solutions and to increase equity and inclusiveness which makes Piedmont a more welcoming community to individuals with diverse perspectives.

She earned her MBA from the University of Chicago and her B.S. from the University of Illinois.

Current Term: Second term expires 11/2024

Contact
jcavenaugh@piedmont.ca.gov
(415) 215-6933

Councilmember Betsy Smegal Andersen

Councilmember Betsy Smegal Andersen was appointed to the City Council in October 2017 and elected to her first term in November 2018. Councilmember Andersen grew up in Piedmont and has a long history of community involvement, including service on the Public Safety Committee and the Recreation Commission. She is a proud graduate of Piedmont High School, Duke University and the UCLA School of Law.

Current term: First term expires 11/2022

Contact
bandersen@piedmont.ca.gov
(510) 420-3048

Councilmember Conna McCarthy

In November 2020, Conna McCarthy was elected to her first term on City Council. McCarthy serves as liaison to the Planning Commission and the Civil Service Commission. She serves on the Board of Directors for  East Bay Community Energy. Growing up in San Francisco, in a family where advocacy, activism and participation in democratic processes was required, McCarthy spent a good part of her youth and early adulthood engaged in community organizing projects. Moving to Piedmont in 1989, she has contributed over 25 years of volunteer leadership to the Piedmont Community. McCarthy is a graduate of Santa Clara University and Santa Clara University, School of Law. She is a licensed attorney, wife, and a mother of three adult children. She takes special pride in her affiliation with The McCarthy Center for Public Service at USF where students prepare for careers of ethical public service in government, business, the environment, healthcare, and education.

Current Term: First term expires 11/2024

Contact
cmccarthy@piedmont.ca.gov
(510) 420-3048

Councilmember Jennifer Long

Councilmember Jennifer Long, an attorney, was appointed to the Piedmont City Council on February 7, 2022 and took Office on February 22, 2022.

Current term: Unexpired term expires 11/2022

Contact
jlong@piedmont.ca.gov

_____________________________________________

Piedmont City Administrator Sara Lillevand

The City of Piedmont has a council-administrator form of government. in this form of government, the City Council provides legislative direction while the City Administrator is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of the city based on the Council’s policy direction and recommendations.

Piedmont’s City Administrator is appointed by the City Council and serves as the chief administrative officer of the city. The City Charter and City Code spell out the duties of the City Administrator.

Sara Lillevand took office as Piedmont City Administrator on July 15, 2019.

Ms. Lillevand can be reached by phone at (510) 420-3040 or via email at slillevand@piedmont.ca.gov​.

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City Attorney Michelle Kenyon

https://www.bwslaw.com/meet-our-people/michelle-marchetta-kenyon/

_____________________________________________________

Piedmont School Board______________PUSD

Cory Smegal

President
csmegal@piedmont.k12.ca.us
1st Term Start: 12/2016
1st Term End: 11/2020
2nd Term Start: 12/2020
2nd Term End: 11/2024

Megan Pillsbury

Vice President
mpillsbury@piedmont.k12.ca.us
1st Term Start: 12/2018
1st Term End: 11/2022

Veronica Anderson Thigpen

vthigpen@piedmont.k12.ca.us
1st Term Start: 12/2020
1st Term End: 11/2024

Hilary Cooper

hcooper@piedmont.k12.ca.us
1st Term Start: 12/2020
1st Term End: 11/2024

Amal Smith

amalsmith@piedmont.k12.ca.us
1st Term Start: 2/2014
1st Term End: 11/2018
2nd Term Start: 12/2018
2nd Term End: 11/2022