In Long Beach, California, Jon Meyer Will Face Teacher Discontent in 2008

Will the Second District Incumbent Retain His Seat?

How many voters educate themselves on school-board issues? On the flipside, how many candidates rely on general voter apathy and sound-byte politicking to conduct business as usual and bet on being re-elected? When taking a look at the upcoming April 8, 2008, Long Beach, California, Board of Education race for the Long Beach Unified School District, it appears that two incumbents are banking on just this type of voter behavior! Incumbent School Board president Felton Williams, who represents the 4^th district, and his incumbent vice president Jon Meyer, representing the 2^nd district, will find their names on the ballot, but will they count on facing the voters?

Felton Williams's difficulties gaining and keeping teachers' support have already been documented, and thus now is the time to shine the spotlight on Mr. Williams' second in command: Jon Meyer. The LBReport showcases his history with the school board in a January, 2004 article which explains that Mr. Meyer originally joined the board in 2003 to replace Ed Eveland who died while in office. Instead of running for election in 2004, Mr. Meyer remained in office due the election being canceled for lack of challengers. Thus, in 2008 he faces his first opportunity to defend his seat.

At face value, one might think that Mr. Meyer will be a shoo-in for his seat. After all, he is quoted in the April, 2005 issue of the Grunion Gazette expressing his delight at the 2.56% raise teachers were to receive, all the while pointing out that budget cuts are imminent and continuous. Referring to teachers as the heart and soul of the school system, his understanding of issues affecting teaching professionals is guaranteed - or is it?

A LBUSD School Board report card published on or around November of 2006 begs to differ. At issue is his refusal to vote in favor of an open meeting requirement for the Bond Oversight Committee which would have led to active involvement of the public in the spending process of money generated by education bonds.