You're invited to meet Alka Gupta this Sunday October 16 from 6 to 7pm at our home, 168 Oak Court in Menlo Park's Willows neighborhood.  Please join us!
 
CO-HOSTS
Maria Hilton, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District (K-8)
Terry Thygesen, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District (K-8)
Chris Thomsen, Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District (9-12+)
Allen Weiner, Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District (9-12+)
Heyward Robinson, Former Mayor & Councilmember, Menlo Park
Chrisie Wendin, District Parent, Willows Resident, Menlo Park
 

With all the flurry at the top of the ballot, it is sometimes easy to forget your vote is particularly powerful in selecting the local leaders that directly  affect our everyday lives, neighborhoods, and families.  With four candidates still in the race vying for two vacant seats on the Menlo Park City School District (K-8) board, please take this opportunity to meet the one I am supporting.
 
I have found Alka to be an excellent listener, and exceptionally open and welcoming of input.  She truly values the opinions of her constituents across the entire District, in every neighborhood.  She has done an outstanding job of balancing career as a business strategist/entrepreneur with responsibilities as parent and co-chair of the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation.  She possesses the genuine innate humility of a true selfless public servant.
 
But don't just take my word for it!  Below is her candidate statement, as well as her impressive list of endorsers.  Please join us on Sunday!

ALKA GUPTA CANDIDATE STATEMENT:

I am running as a candidate for the Menlo Park City School District Board because I believe a good education system is the foundation of a flourishing community and pivotal point for any child.  As a resident of Menlo Park for 10 years and a parent, I am invested in our public schools.  I am the product of a K-12 public school system from a university town in Ohio and come from a family of educators.  Professionally, I have spent 20 years in the consumer internet, payments, and commerce space as a strategist and operator at eBay, Lycos, and starts ups.  I have also always strived to contribute through meaningful social and civic engagement.

Most recently, I have had the opportunity to learn about our education system, community, and schools through my service as Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation Co-President.  We worked towards prudent financial health while investing in strategic initiatives.  As your school board member, I will bring:
  • strategic vision and understanding of complex organizations,
  • continued focus on educational excellence as our district experiences growth,
  • rigorous fiscal discipline,
  • community relations and transparency in reporting,
  • and mostly, a passion for and belief in children, education, and the ability of every child to chart their own destiny empowered with educational excellence. 
I would be honored to have your vote to make a positive difference.
 
Education: B.S., Case Western Reserve University.  M.B.A., Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.    


SELECT ENDORSEMENTS:

Local Education Leaders
Allen Weiner, Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District
Chris Thomsen, Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District
Stacey Jones, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD) Board of Education
Maria Hilton, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education
Terry Thygesen, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education
Jeff Child, Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education
Laura Rich, Former Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education
Mark Box, Former Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education
Deborah Fitz, Former Trustee, Menlo Park City School District Board of Education 
Jacqueline Cebrian, former President Menlo Park Education Assocation
Jennifer Dahmus, Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation  (MPAEF) Co-President
Susannah Hill, Director MPAEF
Scott Lohmann, Co-President Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation
Kate Kennedy, MPCSD District Council President
Aarti Chandna, former MPCSD District Council Co-President
Erin Reyes, former MPCSD District Council Co-President
Gaurang Desai, Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation Endowment Chair
Mark Baker, Menlo Atherton High School PTA Exec Board
Alison Leupold, former MPAEF President
Vickie Mrva, former MPAEF Exec Board
Keith Flaum, MPAEF Board Member
Liliana Perazich, MPAEF Executive Board Member
Kelly Morhead, MPAEF Executive Board Member
Jill Vizas, former Encinal PTO President
Michelle Box, former Hillview PTO President
Paige Parenti, MPAEF Board Member
Amy Coolican, MPAEF Executive Board Member
Kim Jabal, former MPAEF Board Member
Maxine Bonnette, Founding Team MPAEF, former Menlo School MSA President
+ more - see the full list on Alka's website: Alka Gupta Endorsements
 
Local Government and State Leaders
Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California
Joe Simitian, former CA State Senator, now Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Ray Mueller, Menlo Park City Council, former Mayor
Peter Ohtaki, Menlo Park City Council, former Mayor
Catherine Carlton, Menlo Park City Council, former Mayor
Kelly Fergusson, former Menlo Park City Council and Mayor
Heyward Robinson, former Menlo Park City Council and Mayor
 
Community Voices
Dave Bonnette
Paige Barry Arata, Gavin Newsom Campaign Finance Team
Katie Cotton
Sharad Rastogi
Veneta Shahani
Greg Mrva 
Reena Thomas
Elisa Clawson
Shilpa Briggs Parikh
Darr Gerscovich
Johanna Bell
Skip Hilton
Rushabh Doshi
Patrick Jabal
Lalit Shahani
Meera Kaul
Steve Fioretti
Mike Lanza
Mayra Cramer
Kathy & Ravi Mhatre
Ted Schlein
Ashley Eikenberry
+ more - see the full list on Alka's website: Alka Gupta Endorsements
 
Warm regards,
-- Kelly Fergusson, with husband Robert Zeien, hosts
    Parents of Laurel, Encinal, and Hillview grads
   168 Oak Court, Menlo Park

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