BENICIA – Two political newcomers — Kashanna Harmon-Lee and Janny Manasse — are competing for a spot with the Benicia Unified school board this November. They’re running for Trustee Area 3, an area that covers the western portion of Benicia north of Interstate 780. Whoever wins will replace board member Gethsemane Moss, the first Black woman elected to the school board, whose term expires this year.
The Vallejo Sun interviewed both candidates to hear more about the experiences they would bring to the job, and the biggest challenges they see facing the school district. You can find out more about how we cover elections on our FAQ.
Kashanna Harmon-Lee
Kashanna Harmon-Lee has raised five children in the Benicia Unified School District, and her youngest child is now in elementary school. She currently works with the Vallejo Unified School District, and said she has worked with children for over 20 years.
She said over the years as a parent in Benicia, she’s been a vocal advocate, pushing the district to address a range of issues, from bullying to problems with technology.
"I've been boots on the ground, inside the classrooms, because of my children. Once a lot of my children graduated, I started advocating for other kids in the district as well,” Harmon-Lee said.
If elected to the school board, she would continue to push for technology upgrades and additional resources so schools can provide enough programs to address students’ needs.
"A lot of times we have behavioral issues, we have bullying, we have things that happen to our students in the schools because the need is not being met,” Harmon-Lee said. "But if we don't have these programs that are group or individual connections with the students, we're never going to find out how we can help these students.”
Harmon-Lee is also the diversity, equity, and inclusion co-chair at Robert Semple Elementary School, and in November 2021 she organized the district’s first walk to honor Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. Harmon-Lee wants to build on that work and encourage more opportunities where students can discuss the country’s past.
"Historically our history books have not been 100% accurate,” Harmon-Lee said. “That’s what I want to work on as well: getting adequate, true, complete educational material for kids to learn.”
Endorsements for Harmon-Lee include the Benicia Teachers Association, Progressive Democrats of Benicia, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, and current Benicia School Board Trustee Area 3 Gethsemane Moss.
Janny Manasse
Janny Manasse, a parent of an elementary and middle school student in Benicia, is campaigning on improving transparency and school safety in the district.
She also wants to make sure the district stays fiscally solvent. Manasse currently works as a senior director of development, principal gifts, and strategic initiatives at UC Berkeley, where she says she has built a strong understanding of school budgets.
“My professional experience for sure has helped get me to this point now where I feel confident that I could sit at a board meeting and be able to understand budgets, have conversations, bring questions to the table to ensure that our students are getting access to the best education that they can,” Manasse said.
She's also volunteered in classrooms in the district, chaperoned school trips, and organized a sold out auction fundraiser called “Superhero Soirée.”
As a school board member, she says she would encourage more open dialogue. She said people in the community want more transparency.
“What do we think about involving the voices of who is on the ground, the teachers? Is the district talking to teachers to understand the hard times that might be going on in classes?” she asked. “It’s having that conversation and being able to comfortably talk to the district and with schools in the community, so it’s not like a pulpit away.”
Manasse said another priority is helping students feel safe physically, emotionally, and socially. She says schools should take advantage of county resources that are available.
"I see myself as being that connector, being that bridge that hears about opportunities and other resources that are happening, and I can make that connection,” she said.
Manasse said some of her endorsements include Benicia Middle School Parent Teacher Organization President Zainulabedin Shah, Joe Henderson Elementary Parent Teacher Group President Lynsey Ghavimi, and former Benicia Councilmember Mark Hughes.
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