Board Members
 Dot Theodore, President
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Dot, her husband and son moved to Castro Valley in 2004. Her daughter was born a year and a half later. Both children went to Castro Valley Elementary School. Her son is a graduate of Castro Valley High School where her daughter still attends. Dot’s love for this community inspired her to run for school board and was elected in 2014.
Dot was formerly a biotech researcher for almost 20 years specializing in cell biology and virology, returned to school in 2013 to earn her Master’s degree in Public Health from UC Berkeley graduating in 2015. She is now a public health program manager for Alameda County Public Health Department - Office of HIV Care. Dot supports community based organizations in Alameda County that serve low income people living with HIV.
Dot is passionate about fighting for social justice and deconstructing the racist systems in our society. Her hobbies include knitting, cooking for her family, gardening, hiking, and most of all bicycling. She has four dogs and a cat, and a tortoise. |
 Lavender Lee Whitaker, Vice President / Clerkx 1689 [email protected] Term: 12/2020-12/2024 |
Lavender has lived in Castro Valley for 9 years. She has an 18 year old currently attending Berkeley City College. Lavender has a BS from the University of California, Davis in environmental and energy policy and a MBA in organizational development from the University of California, Davis. Lavender worked for electric utilities (both federal and public) for 15 years focusing on environmental policy, compliance, and employee innovation. Since March 2019, she has worked as an associate director of environmental health and safety for a large biotech company. Her passions are community, to help others that cannot speak for themselves, bring people together, and sustain the environment for generations to come.
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 Dolly Adams, Trustee x 1693 Term: 12/2020-12/2024 |
Dolly Adams is a dedicated public school teacher who worked with Castro Valley Unified School District for 21 years of her over 30 year teaching career. Dolly holds a B.S. in Physical Science - Geology and an M.S. as an Education Specialist. As a teacher and parent of two children who attended Castro Valley public schools, she is an advocate for children and their families in education, health care, and the environment. Dolly and her family moved to Castro Valley in Nov. of 1989 because they were seeking a good education for their son. Her daughter was later born at Eden Hospital. Her two children have attended Marshall, Proctor, Canyon, Redwood HS, and CVHS, where her daughter graduated with high honors. Dolly was an executive boardmember with the Castro Valley Teachers Association, securing better conditions for both students and teachers. As a community activist, she has advanced numerous measures to improve education from early childhood to community college. She has served on several local, county, and state organizations as a board member or delegate. Dolly is a curriculum expert with an intricate understanding of the K-12 system, including expertise in general and special education, with particular attention to mental health. Dolly teaches all subjects in high school and is credentialed in Math, English, and Science. Dolly and her fiance, Jaye, love to take walks with their dog Blue and when possible again will continue their weekly Cajun dancing. She has a passion for exploring other cultures, both nationally and internationally, notably she has been to 48/50 states. To relax she practices yoga, an activity she shares with her students. |
 Gary Howard, Trusteex 1684 [email protected] Term: 12/2018-12/2022 |
Gary C. Howard has served on the Board of Education for 4 years. He received a PhD in biological sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and completed fellowships at Harvard and Johns Hopkins. He worked 22 years as a science editor and writer for the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco. He recently retired, but will continue to edit and write books. He recently joined the Rotary Club of Castro Valley. He and his wife Shirley have lived in Castro Valley for over 24 years and their two daughters completed their early education at Proctor, Creekside, and Castro Valley High School.
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 Michael Kusiak, Trusteex 1685 [email protected] Term: 12/2020-12/2024 |
Michael was elected to serve on the Board of Education in 2020. He has worked in public higher education science policy and research administration at the University of California for over 20 years.
Michael is a community organizer and founding member of Castro Valley Matters, where he has supported elected local control for Castro Valley. He organized the “Castro Valley Stands United Against Hate” campaign and helped develop the “Bay Area Stands United Against Hate” campaign. He served as the Chair of the “Yes on Measure G Campaign,” a successful $123 million bond campaign in support of infrastructure improvements for the Castro Valley Unified School District.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he studied Economics and German, and he earned his MA in European Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Michael and his wife Melissa have lived in Castro Valley since 2009. Their oldest son Teddy is a student at Creekside Middle School, and their younger son Ollie is a student at Chabot Elementary School.
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 Jennifer Mi, Student Board MemberTerm: 8/2021-5/2022 |
Bio coming soon... |
Strategic Plan
After months of gathering input through a listening campaign that included meeting with twenty-seven groups, at its April 28, 2017 Board Meeting, the Board of Education adopted Castro Valley Unified School District’s vision, mission and core values. To view the strategic plan,please click here.