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SANTA CRUZ - A third member of Santa Cruz's Coonerty clan has joined the political fray.
Sheila Coonerty, sister of county Supervisor Neal Coonerty and aunt to city Councilman Ryan Coonerty, will be a candidate in November for the Santa Cruz City Schools board. It's her first time seeking public office, and she's been consulting her duly elected relatives.
The 65-year-old Westside resident, who retired in June from the district as a part-time psychologist, believes her experience in childhood development and special education will be an asset to the seven-member board.
"I'm concerned because some of what I see happening in education is a model being driven from the feds and the state," Coonerty said. "I want to make sure our community, with its unique values, has some say in how we have to proceed."
Coonerty is seeking one of two seats open for in-city residents. Two other seats will be open to residents from other areas served by the 7,000-student district.
If she wins, Coonerty plans to be a strong proponent for teachers, having started her career as one in Santa Cruz, Oakland and elsewhere. She wants to be a pro-teacher voice as the district looks to toughen graduation requirements, including whether to increase math and other courses designed for UC eligibility.
"I have a viewpoint in terms of alternatives to just thinking about how to raise the hurdles for our kids," Coonerty said, adding that some students choose vocations first. "There are other ways we can get them prepared for college and careers."
Even before the candidate nomination period opened July 16, Coonerty received a rare early endorsement from leaders of the Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers.
"We have been encouraging Sheila to consider a run for school board upon retirement," union president Barry Kirschen said. "We endorsed Sheila because of all the years that she has spent living and working in this community."
Kirschen described Coonerty as "an independent thinker" who may not always agree with the union but "will always listen and want to understand what our needs are." He said the union may make further endorsements after interviewing other candidates.
Coonerty, who maintains a private practice, grew up in Southern California and attended UC Santa Cruz's inaugural class in 1965, graduating with a degree in psychology. Her brother, who is 13 months her senior, later came to Santa Cruz, as did their parents and other relatives.
Coonerty worked nearly 20 years for the school district, starting as a teacher before leaving for graduate school in New York and rejoining the staff 14 years ago. She has served on the city's Downtown Commission and board of the Santa Cruz County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Coonerty will square off Nov. 6 against retired educator George Bettinger. School board president Ken Wagman is so far running uncontested for the other in-city seat.
There are two candidates for the two seats outside city limits. They are incumbent Claudia Vestal and school volunteer Patty Threet.
The deadline to file candidacy with the county clerk is Aug. 15.
Follow Sentinel reporter J.M. Brown on Twitter @jmbrownreports
SHEILA COONERTY
WHO: Candidate for Santa Cruz City Schools board
AGE: 65
RESIDENCE: Santa Cruz
OCCUPATION: Psychologist in private practice, retired in June as a part-time school psychologist, former teacher
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in psychology, UC Santa Cruz; master's degree in school psychology and doctorate degree in clinical psychology, Adelphi University in New York
FAMILY: A daughter