Derek Grasty

Derek Grasty earned a high school diploma from Detroit Catholic Central High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1982 and a graduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1984. His career experience includes working as an educator and administrator.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Governor of California because I don't see any of the other candidates addressing the specific issues of the communities I represent: working families; women; LGBTQ+ community; ethnic minorities; essential workers and first responders such as: teachers, fire fighters, paramedics, public safety; union workers, immigrants, veterans, young people, and our senior citizens.

We need change. The current system is not working for people like you and me. I work with with people everyday who are struggling to make ends meet. I know, I've been in that situation. I come from a working class community of factory workers and people who work hard for their pay check each day.

Many of the current group running for governor are talking to the people, rather than listening to the people.

I seek a government by the people, with the people, of the people, for ALL the people. We need change against career politicians and the status quo.

Don't Just Hope For Change; Vote For change.

My background in education and public service have prepared me to take on the challenges that plague our state. I interact with everyday people daily, and relate with first-hand experiences.

I am not a billionaire, out of work politician looking for a job, or a person bought by corporate interest. I continue to serve communities at all social and economic levels.

Let's work together to make California truly a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family and retire.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am currently an elected official. Governor of California should not be viewed as an entry level position into politics, it's too important a role. Anyone running for governor should have a voting track record and a history of accountability to the public.

I am a Progressive Democrat with progressive policies including: free community college for all; supporting healthcare for all/single-payer and specifically women's healthcare, including prenatal care. This is especially true for Black women and women of color. We also need to support healthcare for our LGBTQ+ community.My work as a teacher; elected treasurer/teacher contract negotiator; principal at all levels: pre-school-adult school; mentor/coach to administrators; and elected school board trustee, have provided me the background of working with various communities, listening to their needs and concerns, and following-through with deliverable positive results.

I have served as principal and on a bond oversight committee managing directly, or on a committee overseeing nearly one (1) billion dollars of taxpayer dollars. I have worked to ensure projects were done on-time and on-budget.I am a hands on person who is not afraid to take on corporate interest and the destructive policies of Washington D.C.

We are currently under siege by the current administration in Washington D.C. We need to protect ourselves by funding what we need in California. This includes: healthcare, education, SNAP, wildfire prevention and housing.

It is unconscionable that five (5) states: Wyoming, Alaska, North and South Dakota, and Montana, consistently have a total of ten (10) U.S. Senators that vote against the best interest of California. Yet, the entire population of those five (5) states is less than 38% of Los Angeles County. This is taxation without representation. We need to take a strong stance against this abuse on our state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about getting ICE out of our communities. I propose an amendment to California Penal Code 207. This amendment would state that if someone has a mask (or no mask); no badge or identification; an unmarked vehicle; and trying to move people from place to place, they are KIDNAPPERS.

Law enforcement should serve and protect the community against kidnappers; and every person has the legal, lawful, and human right to safely evade and elude kidnappers, by any means necessary.

I also seek a pathway for California citizenship for undocumented residents with no criminal record. No other candidate for governor is talking about a pathway for citizenship. I'm a true Progressive Democrat.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my late parents, who served the public as educators and provided good role models for me and my sisters.

I also look up to "boots on the ground" civil rights organizations and activists, who fought for equality and change.

I also look up to anyone look up to a variety of trailblazers who wanted to make the world a better place: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Muhammad Ali; Malcom X; John F. Kennedy Jr.; Shirley Chisholm, Gandhi, my wife, and others.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Character, Integrity ad Honesty. Also, say what you mean and follow-through.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening to the people; Serving the public; Implementing a vision that works for everyone; Provide leadership and accountability; and Be accessible to the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I want to leave is that I was a person who served all the people; and a leader that was honest, acted with integrity and viewed change with an equity lens.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I delivered newspapers in my neighbor door-to-door, rain, sun, or snow, for four years. This job was at the end of eighth grade through high school.

I learned how to manage money and ways to communicate with the public.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I continue to be a lifelong learner and try to be a better person each day.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

1) Making affordability happen for Californians; Improving the educational climate. California is 50th in the nation in literacy. This low ranking needs to change for the fourth largest economy in the world.

2) Eliminating ICE and creating a safe environment for all people. ICE is not just an immigration issue; ICE is a public safety issue. People should feel safe in their homes and communities.

3) Improving public education in California. My background in education makes that possible. We need a new funding formula not based on average daily attendance (ADA). Also support for students (and teachers and staff) with mental health, counselors, and reading specialists. All schools are community-based. Also, free community college for all.

4) Gas prices are too high. We need a war proof energy plan that focuses more on: wind, geothermal, and solar energy with high powered solar cars. We need to better utilize the free energy that the sun provides. We also need safe and clean water for urban, suburban and rural areas, while holding corporate polluters accountable.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

I would only use the line-item veto if the bill presented does not reflect the values of the voters or goes against my core beliefs or values. I will fight against inequity that does harm to anyone, especially marginalized communities.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Emergency powers of the governor should only be used in emergencies, and in extreme circumstances. Emergency powers should not be used whimsically.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am finalizing my numerous endorsements for governor.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The landing of the first man on the moon.

Derek Grasty did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Derek Grasty did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

My top three priorities are: 1) Making sure all students have a world class education, feel valued, and safe. 2) Closing opportunity gaps for all students while building a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity, 3) Managing the budget with fiscal responsibility and accountability.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about issues that are inclusive, fiscally sound, support student achievement and engage families and the community.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to people who dare to challenge the status quo, take risk and look for ways to better the lives of everyone. These people include but not limited to: John F. Kennedy, Jackie Robinson, Mother Teresa, and Caesar Chavez.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The characteristics that are most important for an elected official are: integrity, honesty, transparency and fairness.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

The qualities that I possess are honesty, integrity, transparency, fairness and knowledge of my role. I also care deeply about the community.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of any elected official is to serve the best interest of the public passionately and honestly.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy that I would like to leave is that: Derek Grasty made a positive difference in the lives of students and the educational community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that I remember was the Apollo moon landing. I was eight years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was delivering the daily newspaper in the midwest through sun, rain, snow, and hail. I had the job during my four years of high school.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It's a holiday for: football, food and family.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I enjoy reading "The Langston Hughes Reader" for the stories and poems.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a School Board is to make policies, approve the budget, and provide direction to the Superintendent, while making decisions in the best interest of students and the learning community.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are students, parents, families, teachers, staff, administrators, neighbors, business and community leaders.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I will build relationships with the broader community by listening to their concerns and making myself accessible to all constituents. We have a diverse community and its important for a school board member to be sensitive to the diverse needs of all students and members of the learning community.

Derek Grasty participated in [the profile publisher]'s 2016 survey of school board candidates. In response to the question "What do you hope to achieve if elected to the school board?" the candidate stated on October 26, 2016:

My focus is: Responsible Budget Management; Increase student achievement for all while closing the opportunity gap; Provide safe and welcoming schools for parents, community, business leaders and stakeholders, and Prepare Students for College and Career.[5][6]

Ranking the issues

The candidate was asked to rank the following issues based on how they should be prioritized by the school board, with 1 being the most important and 7 being the least important. Each ranking could only be used once.

Education policy

Click here to learn more about education policy in California.

Education on the ballot

Issue importance ranking

Candidate's ranking

Issue

1

Improving post-secondary readiness

2

Closing the achievement gap

3

Balancing or maintaining the district's budget

4

Improving relations with teachers

5

Expanding arts education

6

Improving education for special needs students

7

Expanding school choice options

We need all stakeholders on-board to improve teaching and learning for all students. Teachers are at the forefront of this issue. We need to provide appropriate avenues of communication and support for teachers.[6]

—Derek Grasty (October 26, 2016)

Positions on the issues

The candidate was asked to answer nine questions from [the profile publisher] regarding significant issues in education and the school district. The questions are highlighted in blue and followed by the candidate's responses. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions. The candidate was also provided space to elaborate on their answers to the multiple choice questions.

Should new charter schools be approved in your district? (Not all school boards are empowered to approve charter schools.In those cases, the candidate was directed to answer the question as if the school board were able to do so.)

No. We have the capability of providing the needs of all of our students in the East Side Union High School District. It is our duty and responsibility to do so. We should not abdicate our duty and resources to an outside agency. Charters should be "outside the box" for consideration of approval. An example of this would be a performing arts academy, focusing on college and career readiness via music, dance, theater and art.

Which statement best describes the ideal relationship between the state government and the school board? The state should always defer to school board decisions, defer to school board decisions in most cases, be involved in the district routinely or only intervene in severe cases of misconduct or mismanagement.

The state should defer to school board decisions in most cases.

Are standardized tests an accurate metric of student achievement?

No. Standardized tests alone are not an accurate metric of students achievement. One needs to look at multiple measures and authentic means to fully access student achievement.

What is your stance on the Common Core State Standards Initiative?

Students need to be prepared for an ever changing world with innovation and stimulation of their curiosity. Students should also be self-directed in their learning. The Common Core State Standards Initiative allows these opportunities for students by developing communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical-thinking & problem-solving skills. Additionally, we need to meet the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of all students so their can develop to their fullest potential.

How should the district handle underperforming teachers? Terminate their contract before any damage is done to students, offer additional training options, put them on a probationary period while they seek to improve or set up a mentorship program for the underperforming teacher with a more experienced teacher in the district?

Offer additional training options. Set up a mentorship program for the underperforming teacher with a more experienced teacher in the district. School districts already have Beginning Teachers Support systems and Peer Assistance Review processes in place. This should be utilized. Professional development and training is also a key factor to improve teaching and learning in the classroom.

Should teachers receive merit pay?

No. Pay teachers fairly on the salary schedule. I am open to schools receiving incentives for closing the opportunity gap and improving instruction for all.

Should the state give money to private schools through a voucher system or scholarship program?

No. Parents should have choice. School districts offer choice within the school district boundaries to meet that need. Private schools should not have access to public money.

How should expulsion be used in the district?

Expulsion should be used under the guidelines of the California Education Code.

What's the most important factor for success in the classroom: student-teacher ratio, the curriculum, teachers, parent involvement or school administration?

Teachers The most important factor for success in the classroom is commitment to student achievement and the relationship between the teacher and student. This relationship is built on caring, communication, trust and mutual respect.