“Your interest in the issues of concern for the working people of our communities is greatly appreciated,” said the IELC.
Mikki Cichocki, after her first day as a San Bernardino City Unified School District board member, is running for a second term.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. — The Inland Empire Labor Council, AFL-CIO has voted to grant its Committee on Political Education’s (COPE) Endorsement to Mikki Cichocki for her bid for the San Bernardino Unified School District for a second term on the board.
The COPE IELC Political Team said, “Your interest in the issues of concern for the working people of our communities is greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with you and wish you the best on Election Day.”
Cichocki is currently serving as the incumbent and is seeking a second term. She stated, “During my first term, we hired a new superintendent and unified the board and the cabinet to work together as a team to address important issues such as attendance, academics, safety, and the district’s ongoing anti-bullying efforts.”
Here are her priorities for San Bernardino City School District students in her second term:
1. Support the District’s mission to ensure that each student has the skills, resilience, and determination to create their path and thrive in school, career, and life.
2. Enhance access to science, technology, and fine arts.
3. Ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility.
4. Provide students and staff with safe and welcoming schools.
Cichocki, a San Bernardino native, started teaching elementary and middle school students in the district. Later, she worked with the district’s Youth Services Administrative Hearing Panel, which managed disciplinary matters, transfers, and attendance issues.
As a Program Specialist, she implemented the San Bernardino Restorative Youth Court. Mikki worked for the district for more than 30 years and retired in 2022. Her extensive and valuable experience with students has shaped her commitment and contributions as a district board member.
Learn more about the San Bernardino City Unified School District, its schools, and its initiatives at https://www.sbcusd.com.
For more information on Mikki Cichocki, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Mikki4SBCUSD.
About Mikki Cichocki
Mikki Cichocki’s interest in education can be traced back to her parents, both of whom were teachers in San Bernardino. She was born and raised in the city and attended public K-12 schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly Pomona. Since 1987, she has been teaching and working with various programs for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Currently, she works in Youth Services for the District, where she leads the effort to work with at-risk students and “outliers,” helping them to develop positive attitudes and keep them from becoming involved with and subsequently stigmatized by law enforcement. Additionally, she serves for two years as a Board Member within the District. She was also Secretary-Treasurer for the California Teachers Association, a position that allowed her to build coalitions with educational programs and resources.
The League of Women Voters, San Bernardino celebrated their 48th annual Citizens of Achievement and Civic Engagement Ceremony honoring community leaders and organizations on a beautiful Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Sterling Natural Resource Center in Highland, CA.
Honorees included Francine Cepeda Blacksher in recognition for being the founder of the Pacific Islander Graduate Recognition Program; Dr. Jenna Cortez-Aguirre for her work with St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico of Redlands; Kristin Malaby for starting So Cal Trash Army clearing trash from the mountain recreation areas.
Also honored were Dr. Enrique Murillo, Jr., founder of Latino Education & Advocacy Days (LEAD) and appointment by President Joe Biden to the United States Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics of all age groups; Ratibu Shadidi (William “Bill” Henry Jacocks) posthumously for his community activities, civic engagement, social activism, and advocate of “Kwanzaa Consciousness.”
The League of Women Voters recognized Ratibu Shadidi as a Citizen of Achievement. Ratibu’s Award acceptance by son-in-law Carl M. Dameron and first grandchild Teriki Shani Thillet presented by Twilla Carthen. Video and editing by Giacomo Thillet Video link:https://youtu.be/dXr67-QwVq4?si=ecGQbT4dw6okXK4u
Finally honored were High Desert Pearls for advocating social justice including campaigning in the high desert local schools to increase voter participation, registration, and education; Inland Empire Children’s Book Project’s main focus of volunteer work includes giving books to children ages 0-18 (donations and volunteers are always welcome); and Westside Action Group, unofficially known as WAG to reduce racial inequities in employment, education, government, etc. in the City of San Bernardino.
After the program, the League was honored with recognition from San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran and council members Kimberly Calvin, and Damon Alexander, along with community leaders San Bernardino City School Board Member Felicia Alexander and County School Board Member Dr. Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers.
San Bernardino Council members Kimberly Calvin, and Damon Alexander, present a certificate of achievement to League Members Kathy Ervin, and Twila Carthen, also present San Bernardino City School Board Member Felicia Alexander and County School Board Member Dr. Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers
The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Instead, it encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League of Women Voters takes positions on issues after studying the issues, meeting together to review the study results, and voting on the positions that follow from those studies. The League of Women Voters of the San Bernardino Area subscribes to the positions held by the League of Women Voters on the national, state, and local levels.
