BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
A judge said Thursday that she will weigh in on a challenge to a Palo Alto school board candidate’s qualifications as a math teacher — but the challenge faces an uphill battle.
The case is between parent Virginia Noh and candidate Linda Henigin.
Noh has alleged Henigin isn’t qualified to teach math as a standalone subject, yet she listed herself as a math teacher on the ballot.
“It gives her a level of credibility that’s unwarranted,” Noh said in an interview.
But Noh’s lawsuit, which she filed herself, had a few issues, Judge Helen Williams said in an order Thursday.
For example, Noh should’ve sued the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to challenge the ballot designation, not Henigin, Williams said.
Noh also didn’t submit any evidence to show that Henigin’s description on the ballot is false, Williams said.
Because of the problems with Noh’s filing, Williams scheduled a case management conference on Tuesday afternoon, not a hearing on the merits of the lawsuit.
Friday (Aug. 28) is the ballot printing deadline, but Noh said Williams can override the deadline.
Henigin hasn’t returned a request for comment since Wednesday, nor has she responded in court.
Henigin described herself on the ballot as “math teacher/mother.” She works as a classroom aide at Duveneck Elementary School.
Henigin has a “multiple subject” credential that allows her to teach a combination of subjects to the same classroom, up to eighth grade.
That includes elementary school classrooms and middle school core classes. Teachers are required to get a “single subject” credential to teach standalone subjects like math, according to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Henigin is running against Avery Wang, described as a “research scientist/parent,” and John Craig, a “parent/operations executive.”
There are only two seats available in the election, so two of the three candidates will be elected.
Noh supports Wang. She said math has been a big issue in Palo Alto, and Wang is immersed in the topic.
He’s advocated for allowing students to get ahead in math and sued the district for allegedly holding his son back.
“While he’s not a math teacher, that is his specialty.” Noh said. “And I think it’s important that you be honest, especially in a race for school board, that you’re not lying about your educational qualifications.”
Henigin isn’t really even an elementary teacher who is in charge of a class, she’s an “instructional aide.” She’s not currently employed as a math teacher or any other kind of full-time teacher. I also think it’s great to have people like Wang who are outside the educational establishment on the board to serve as a bridge to the world of work which most kids will have to transition to. No doubt he’s competent in higher math and understands the need to give kids more awareness of STEM subjects where much of the work is for people who aspire to attend college. Unfortunately, it appears Henigin is going to get away with the BS.
Due to the judge’s lack of alacrity, Henigin’s questionable candidate title will appear on the ballot.