Happy Saturday!

Measure K supporters out this morning going door to door. Impressive effort, but will it be enough?

@bh4orange

What a thrill! My thoughts on the OC NAACP / OC LULAC forum

I'm going to start with a confession. I wasn't at all sure of myself as I drove along the 22 to the forum. Here I am, first time candidate with no name recognition walking into the halls of two of the greatest civil rights organizations in the world.

But what an honor to be there with candidates for Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, and Garden Grove. So many amazing stories. I didn't want to speak first and I didn't want to speak last.

For my opening, I shared a little bit of my background, my reasons for running, and why I'd be a great representative for the people of OUSD.

All in all, a great experience. Thanks for the invite, and for the opportunity!!!

Bio for Foothills Sentry

I was delighted to be asked to provide my bio to the Foothills Sentry earlier today.

Here's the content:

Brian Harrington, originally from New York, has lived in California for more than 15 years. He is married to the love of his life and is the relentlessly proud father of a boy and a girl who are both fast approaching school age.

Mr. Harrington earned an engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology and a MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. His work experience includes management positions in the medical device, biotechnology, aerospace, and automotive manufacturing sectors. He is currently Supply Chain Management Director for a medical device company where his responsibilities include purchasing, production planning, distribution management, and sourcing.

In his youth, Mr Harrington spent his summers in his ancestral homeland of Courtmacsherry, County Cork, Ireland. Later in life, he lived and worked in several countries including South Korea, Peru, and India.

Throughout his career, Mr. Harrington has been involved in several facility construction and revitalization projects.

This is Mr. Harrington's first run for elective office.

My response to the California School Employees Association Candidate's Questionnaire

Earlier today I had the honor of completing the candidate's questionnaire solicited by the California School Employees Association.

It's amazing how something so simple as sharing views with interested stakeholders can stir such feelings of civic pride.

For those who aren't members of CSEA, here's my response:

Candidate Questionnaire

OUSD Election- November 5, 2014

1.      What do you know about the California School Employees Association?

CSEA is one of the largest public employee unions in the country. You represent classified school employees.

2.      What are your views on Governor public education?

Public education is one of the primary obligations of the state and should be funded to the maximum extent possible in order to ensure the best education for our kids. I’m delighted Gov. Brown has started to return funding to the schools, but more could be done.

3.      What are your views on the contracting out of classified jobs?

I’d like to understand your concerns and views regarding this point. Have agreements been broken in the past?

4.      What individuals or groups outside of the district will be working on your campaign?

None.

5.      What do you view as the role of classified employees in the district?

Classified employees are a critical part of the district; performing vital & necessary functions. Schools and teachers cannot function without your members.

6.      Have you attended any district Board meetings? What do you know about the district?

I’ve attended board meetings. This is my home. Like other residents of the district, I’m not comfortable with the way the current board has managed the pressing issues of the day; the school bond, ‘surplus’ properties, and most importantly, implementation of the common core standards. These headline issues can and should be the center of attention, but I’m also concerned about general oversight of the district’s business.

7.      Tell us what approaches you would employ to hold management accountable for

Mis-management of district resources?

I’d like to understand what is meant by ‘mis-management’, and would welcome any input from you or your members. Frankly, my point of view is that the overwhelming majority of people go to work with the intent to do a good job. It’s up to leadership to define and represent the goals of the organization. It’s not clear what the goals are for the day-to-day operations of the district. On another point, one of the more opaque parts of the meeting agenda is the so-called “consent” items. I’ve seen tens of millions of dollars approved on a single vote, in the blink of an eye. It’s possible that, month-after-month, all of this spending is absolutely necessary and properly procured, but hard to believe. It shouldn’t be matter of trust. The board should be publically reviewing more of these items, and probably should reject a few.

8.      How accessible do you plan to be to CSEA before making decisions that effect classified employees?

I will be as available to CSEA members as I am to all other stakeholders in the district. I will appreciate your input on all issues of the district, not just those that directly impact your members.

9.      What are your specific views on the CA Local Control Funding Formula for public education?

The devil is in the details. I’m an engineer by education and a department head by profession. I think any plan that claims “to significantly simplify how state funding is provided” but needs hundreds of pages of explanation is questionable. I’m very open to any education your organization can provide on this and will continue to dig through the dept. of education’s materials. But it does at least appear to provide more funding.

10.  Why do you want to be a Governing Board member?

I think we can do better as a community. OUSD has a lot to be proud of, but so much to do. I’ve two small children who will be attending school in a very short time. I can sit on the sidelines and kvetch or get involved.

11. Please list four to five qualities of a good Governing Board member.  

A board member must have listening skills, a dogged interest in digging through the details, the ability deliberate with passion and respect while maintaining an open-mind to new and different ideas, and must also be approachable. It’s also critical that a board member have the ability to convince at least three other members to join their point of view. There’s no glory in standing alone.

12.  Tell us what you know about the “Brown Act”?

My understanding is that the Brown Act requires governmental agencies to hold deliberations at open public meetings. I’m curious, why is this question important to your members?

13. Who would you seek input from before you vote on an issue?

I intend to serve as a representative of my community. My office will be open to all stakeholders with considered opinions.

14. Do you believe that all district employees are entitled to Health and Welfare benefits?

Certainly!

15. Do you believe Governing Board members should receive Health and Welfare benefits, if not,

     should all of the district employee’s have access to Health and Welfare benefits?

It’s not a core issue for me, but I’m uncomfortable with the current state of affairs. I agree that board members should be compensated for their time in conducting the district’s business, but will personally opt out.

16.  What community organizations do you belong to?

I spend my time with my wife and kids or at the office.

17.   Have you ever been elected or appointed to a public Board? If yes, please explain.

My only previous elected position was at my home-owners association. I was recently reelected for the second time.

 18.   Are you a member of any AFL-CIO affiliate?

No, not at this time. However, I was raised in a union household and was a public employee in my High School and College years.

Welcome, thanks for your interest!

Hello and welcome to my blog. Thanks for your interest in OUSD and in my candidacy.

I'll be posting about once per week and will reply to all questions and comments.

It's going to be a great race, for your children and for mine!

Candidate Statement

Here's a copy of my Candidate Statement that will appear in the voter guide:

I’m the proud father of two small children, I’m an engineer with over 20 years’ experience in manufacturing and distribution, and I’ve managed several facility construction projects.

I’m running to serve my community. My children will be entering school soon, and, as homeowners, my family funds our fair share.

We’ve been asked to borrow $296 million to repair and update our 4 high schools. This is a lot of money, and not the first time we’ve been asked. Our children deserve high quality facilities; functional, safe, inspiring centers of learning, but the cost must respect economic reality. There’s no denying the need, but every dollar must be spent well.

My commitment is to welcome the voices, hearts, and minds of teachers, parents, taxpayers, students, alumni, and administrators into the process. The entire community must be actively engaged and invested in these projects. As your representative, I will do everything I can to ensure openness.

Let’s build a strong, sustainable school system for all of our children. Let’s encourage every student to reach for the stars, to equip them for a lifetime of productive citizenship, and value every teacher and parent.

I’m asking for your vote.

Thank you.

http://brian-harrington-4th-district.blogspot.com/