Everywhere I go, people are asking me to run again for another term. "We need you now more than ever, Sheila!"

Our schools are going through one of the most troubling passages any of us have ever experienced. The state budget cuts and depressed local economies are putting enormous pressure on schools and on everyone concerned with schools. Now, more than ever, it's important to have a steady, experienced, and trusted hand at the wheel.

I've fought school budget cuts with all my powers for as long as I've been the Superintendent. I've gone to Sacramento as a lobbyist and as a demonstrator on the Capitol steps. I've worked hard and with considerable success to get outside money from businesses and foundations. I've lent my support to local bond measures and assessments to get more money for schools.

Sheila joined state schools chief Jack O'Connell and speakers for the California Highway Patrol, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and other concerned organizations in a speak-out event at Oakland Technical High School Dec. 29 to urge safe and sober driving. 

O'Connell cited statistics showing that impaired teenage drivers are at far greater risk of being involved in a fatal crash than older drives.  Their judgment is more severely impaired by even one drink, and their relative driving inexperience adds to the risk.  

Sheila joined O'Connell in urging parents, teachers and school administrators to convey the message to young people: never get behind the wheel of a car if you've had any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system.  

Beverly McAdams, Executive Director of the Bay Area affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving cited tragic stories of young lives cut short and families plunged into grief by the fatal combination of alcohol and automobiles.

CHP Officer Sam Morgan spelled out the state's zero-tolerance policy toward underage drinking and driving.  A teenager found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, no matter how small the amount, faces loss of their drivers's license for a year, impoundment of the vehicle, possible fines and jail time.  

Sheila joined Contra Costa County Schools Superintendent Joe Ovick in a panel on the educational crisis in California, sponsored by the local chapters of Phi Delta Kappa, the educational sorority.  

A long-term member and past honoree of the chapter, Sheila outlined the extremely difficult budget situation facing the public school system in the state, and in Alameda County in particular.  "I've been in education for 30 years and I've never seen it this bad," Sheila said.  Ovick drew a very similar analysis for Contra Costa County.  

Both of the county superintendents wove the history of how the state's educational system got into this mess.  To restore necessary funding for the schools, Ovick said, we don't need tax increases; we just need to undo some of the tax decreases that we've seen in our lifetimes.  

PDK chapter members and local students pursuing careers in education made up the audience for the Dec. 10 evening event.  

Sheila appeared on ABC News on November 18 2009 as part of a program about class size increases in California schools.

From the video:

"We've really been hit with a series of body blows around dealing with budget issues," said Sheila Jordan, Alameda County superintendent of schools.

Jordan says both Fremont and Hayward have moved to 30-student classes. A majority of her districts now have 24 students per teacher, and Jordan believes it's going to get worse next year.

"Most districts have some reserve that they're using and there's even some flexibility having smaller reserves and we've gotten stimulus money," said Jordan. "Next year, that's not going to exist and we're very worried."

View the video item (excuse the short ad, from the station's website):

Sheila was a guest on NBC-11's Class Action program hosted by Jessica Aguirre Nov. 1 to discuss the impact of the H1N1 (swine) flu on the schools.  With her was Marty Fenstersheib, Public Health director of the County of Santa Clara.

School authorities are working closely with public health authorities to meet this serious threat, Sheila said, and keeping communications channels open.  Unlike this past spring, health authorities do not advise closing entire schools when a single child becomes ill.  Teachers, students, and parents are urged to learn basic prevention measures: washing hands, wiping desks, and learning to do the "Dracula" sneeze. Here is the video from the NBC Bay Area station (excuse the advertisement, can't be helped): 

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County celebrated its 30th anniversary with an event on October 23 2009 in Oakland, and Sheila was there. 

For more about the Hispanic Chamber, go to its website at http://www.hccac.com/

Sheila presented 'Teacher of the Year' awards at a ceremony at the Alameda County Office of Education in Hayward Thursday Oct. 8.  Here is a one-minute slide show of snapshots from the event.

For more detailed coverage, including videos with individual teachers, go to the ACOE website at http://www.acoe.org/acoe/Home/AboutACOE/News/POSTTOY

At a rally in Unversity Village Oct. 9, Sheila spoke in support of Measures I and J on the City of Albany ballot. 

October 6 was Walk to School Day at Montclair Elementary, and Sheila was there.  Sheila has been participating in this annual event for more than five years.  Walking safely to school is good exercise, it's quality time, it's good for the environment, and it's fun.

Girls Inc. is a nonprofit that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold.  Sheila met with leading members of the organization at its annual fundraiser Sept. 26 at the Oakland Museum.