As the Alameda Unified School District barrels toward the winter holidays (or maybe we’re already in the winter holidays?), AUSD officials want to share a few bits of news with the broader community.
New board members: AUSD Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi was to swear in the new and returning board members at this week’s Board of Education meeting. Voters on Nov. 5 approved board President Jennifer Williams and board member Heather Little for reelection.
Voters also approved Maleah Hall, who in the course of a 20-year career in education has taught general and special education and worked as a math and data coach in the Oakland, West Contra Costa, Castro Valley and Mount Diablo school districts. Ms. Hall — who is replacing Margie Sherratt, who was appointed to Megan Sweet’s seat after she resigned in October 2023 — was to begin her four-year term after being sworn in.
Board members currently rotate through the roles of president and vice president. As such, at next week’s meeting, President Jennifer Williams will step down from her role as board president and Vice President Gary Lym will assume that position. The Alameda County Registrar of Voters certified November’s election results on Dec. 5.
Facility update: After several months of site preparation, the main classroom building on the Wood Middle School campus is finally ready to be demolished.
Heavy equipment will be used to first shear the steel beams and then “munch” (or grind up) the concrete. Following that, workers will identify the location of the foundation’s “piers” — long columns that reach deep down below the sand and into solid soil to stabilize the building during earthquakes.
Athletic achievements: We’re super-proud of the three teams that have won North Coast Section Scholastic Championship Team Awards this past season. This prestigious award recognizes the top three teams in each sport based on the teams’ unweighted GPA.
The winning AUSD teams were the Alameda High School women’s tennis team (with a combined unweighted GPA of 3.8), the AHS boys’ cross country team (3.74 GPA) and the Encinal High School boys’ cross country team (3.78 GPA). Maintaining high grades when also participating in daily practices and games is no small feat — we congratulate our students!
Nominate a teacher: The AUSD is accepting nominations for its 2025 Teacher of the Year until 5 p.m. Jan. 6.
Related Articles
AUSD Notes: Alameda students collecting holiday items for those in need
AUSD Notes: Alameda school plays, next year’s enrollment season starting
AUSD Notes: Keep up with the Alameda school district online
Anyone can nominate an educator for this award, whether you’re a student, family member, employee or community member. After being nominated, AUSD teachers who meet the county and state criteria are invited to participate in the next phase of the process, which requires them to submit an application packet to the district office.
The AUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee then meets to screen applications and determine which applicants will move onto the next phase: classroom observations. Members of the selection committee include former AUSD Teachers of the Year, a Board of Education member, a principal and representatives of the Alameda Education Association (which represents teachers) and the PTA Council.
Nomination forms are available on our website (alamedaunified.org); just search for “Teacher of the Year.” We at the AUSD would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy winter break. AUSD schools will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3.
Reach Susan Davis, the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs, at 510-337-7175 or SDavis@alamedaunified.org.