Parents United for MDUSD: 2026 Area 2 & Area 4 Candidate Questions

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QUESTION #1
As an Area trustee, you represent communities with differing religious, political, and personal beliefs, as well as voters with and without children in the public education system. How will you represent those varying beliefs and how will that guide your voting decisions?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I would represent all members of the community- not only the ones that share my beliefs or have children in the public education system. That means listening respectfully to students, families, staff, taxpayers, and community members with different religious, political, cultural, and personal perspectives.  

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My voting decisions would be guided by the district’s mission, student well-being, educational outcomes, equity, fiscal responsibility, and applicable law- not by partisan pressure or individual preference. I would seek reliable information, and ask thoughtful Questions, and consider long-term impact of each decision.

 

QUESTION #2
How will you vote for resolutions and policies that may oppose your own personal beliefs but may be supported by the majority of your constituency?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I would listen carefully to my constituents, study the facts, and consider the potential impact of each resolution. While I may have personal beliefs, my responsibility is to represent the community fairly. If the majority supports a policy that differs from my views, I would respect their position and vote accordingly- unless it clearly violates the law, ethics, and fundamental rights.

 

QUESTION #3
How will you communicate and engage with your constituents - caretakers and students - in order to best represent them? Please include your current methods and any future methods should you become the Area trustee. What will be the best way for constituents to contact you once elected?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I will communicate with parents, and students through respectful, accessible, and consistent two-way engagement. Currently, I listen through direct conversations, email, school and community meetings, and informal conversations with families, staff, and community members.

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If elected I will expand efforts by holding community listening sessions  in person and by zoom.

I will also visit schools and attend student, family, and community events. The best way to contact me will be through a dedicated trustee email address, with phone and virtual meeting options also available. I will respond promptly, protect confidentiality where appropriate, and ensure every concern is heard. My goal would be to build ongoing relationship with constitutes rather than communicate only during elections or when difficult decisions arise.

 

QUESTION #4
As a focus on “parents’ rights” and “back to basics” increases, how would this influence your voting choices, resolutions and programs relating to diversity, equity and inclusivity? What programs, resolutions, or curriculum should be removed or added?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I support parent’s rights, academic excellence, and inclusive schools as a complementary - not competing - priorities. Parents should have transparency about curriculum, meaningful opportunities to provide input, and appropriate choices for their children. At the same time, every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and able to succeed regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

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My voting decisions would focus on whether a program is age- appropriate, evidence based, legally sound, academically relevant, and effective for students. I would support reviewing DEI programs for measurable outcomes, clear educational purpose, and responsible use of public funds - not eliminating them based solely on political labels. I do support parent’s right to opt out of their students out of academic programs when they do not agree with the instruction.

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“Back to Basics” should mean strong reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics, and critical thinking- while ensuring that all students have the support and opportunity to master those fundamentals.

 

QUESTION #5
Do you now, or in the past, have children in the public education system? If yes, how will that experience influence how you hold office and will there be any negative or positive bias that may impact your voting choices? If not, why do you believe you are in a position to represent a community that you have never been part of and has that lack of experience created a bias in how you perceive public education?

Dorothy Weisenberger: Yes, I have had four children attend schools in the Mount Diablo Unified School District. I also have a child who received special education services throughout his education, as well as children with dyslexia.  Navigating the public education system has not always been easy, and those experiences are one of the reasons I am running for school board.

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My family’s experiences have given me firsthand insight into the challenges many students face, including special education services, learning differences, and the importance of strong communication between families and schools. These experiences will help me advocate for students and families while holding the district accountable.

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I recognize my personal experience could create a positive bias toward supporting programs that helped my children. However, I will not allow my experiences to determine every decision. I will listen to families, educators, staff and community members, review the facts, and make decisions based on what best serves all students- not just my own children or one specific group.

 

QUESTION #6
What do you think the job/role of an Area Trustee is? What will be your #1 goal if elected and how will you achieve this goal?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I believe the role of an Area Trustee is to provide responsible oversight, ensure two way conversations with all stakeholders, to represent the community’s interests, and to help ensure the district operates effectively and transparently. The trustee should monitor the superintendent's performance, help develop and review policy, and make decisions that support students, staff, and taxpayers.

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My number one goal is that I see the need to create more opportunities for parents, students and staff to have their voices heard.  I want to bring meaningful improvements by ensuring their perspectives are respected, considered, and reflected in district decisions.

 

QUESTION #7
As a community, we raise our concerns through public comments shared at school board meetings - written and verbal - as well as direct emails to the governing board. How do you intend to address these concerns?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I will ask for staff input on the concerns raised through public comments and ask the superintendent what the district is doing to address them. When appropriate, my goal is to ensure that parents, staff, and the broader community receive clear answers through staff and the superintendent.

 

QUESTION #8
MDUSD has operated in a fiscal deficit for several years. How will you determine budget priorities when approving expenditures? Do you have areas of spending you already want to cut expenses for? If so, please be specific and state why.

Dorothy Weisenberger: My observation of MDUSD’s budget is while the district has been deficit spending, employee salaries and benefits have increased via cautious budgeting, and programs have been sustained. Each year grants are approved by the state and federal agencies, these funds provide supports and programs for students. Per my understanding the CCC Office of Education has approved budget and for two years out.  The question of how every school district in California will approach budget reductions looming from the federal and state level. Every department and program will have to be evaluated for their impact on student performance and student wellbeing. Certain services are required by law and by union contracts; should those laws and contracts remain, MDUSD will need to comply.

 

QUESTION #9
Parents have raised concerns about the limited support and communication for the MDUSD Spanish/English two-way and one-way immersion programs. This includes the recent changes to site locations without what some parents consider to be sufficient notice or community engagement. If elected, how will you prioritize and support dual immersion programs?

Dorothy Weisenberger: I will support dual-language immersion programs while ensuring decisions are made transparently and responsibly. Any changes to the program locations or expansion must consider all available space, the impact on the schools broader community, and the needs of the communities served.

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Parents deserve meaningful involvement before major decisions are made. I will advocate for substantial advance notice, clear communication, transparent reasons for proposed changes, and genuine opportunities for parents, staff, and community members to provide input before decisions are finalized. 

 

QUESTION #10
The school board is responsible for the governance of the LCAP, as well as setting goals for the superintendent to assess their performance. What changes would you make to the current LCAP and superintendent goals? Please include how those new goals would be achieved and measured and your reasoning for the change.

Dorothy Weisenberger: I was a part of the initial LC Planning committee so had the opportunity to experience and observe practices that were most effective, and those that were not as I participated in a number of subcommittees as well as the lead group.

Since then, as Chair of Community Advisory Committee, I facilitated a process for input to LCAP that ensured parents play a active role in the input and discussion process in a manner that respected confidentiality and enabled parents to be free in their comments.

 

It is my belief that this has been highly effective in terms of informing the plan as well as parents feeling heard and respected. As a Trustee, I will support and encourage this level of participation by all constituents because I believe it will result in a LCAP that is truly reflective of our entire community with sound student outcome goals.

 

The School Board sets Superintendent’s goals in collaboration with the Superintendent. I am committed to bringing issues, concerns and interests of parents, students, staff and community that have been communicated to me to the Board discussion. Beyond that I am committed to an evaluation process that has integrity and measurable outcomes focused on student wellbeing and success. One particular area I will advance are goals related to student wellness, with the identification of specific measures to be monitored.

 

Thank you for the questions!  

 

Dorothy Weisenberger

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Vote for Dororthy Weisenberger, Area 2.  Learn more: www.DorothyWeisenberger.com 

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