Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

One of the new entrants to the growing list of elected officials of Filipino heritage in the Northern California area is Hermy B. Almonte, who won his trustee seat in the San Leandro Unified School District, Area 1, in the recent Nov. 4, 2008 elections.

Born and raised in Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines, Hermy settled in the United States in 1998 with his wife, Maria Venus Herce Almonte, after a well-traveled career where he worked in the container shipping industry, sailing on cargo ships that crossed the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.

In running for the trustee seat in Area 1 of the SLUSD, Almonte, who had key endorsements from the San Leandro Teacheers Association, Centrall Labor Council of Alameda County, DEMOS Democratic Club and San Leandro School Board trustees Stephen Cassidy and Mike Katz, stressed on the need for more school safety, quality education for students in San Leandro schools, a strict residency verification process, and a more proactive school board that communicates well with teachers, students, district employees and members of the community.

Specifically, Hermy is advocating for the adoption of a parcel tax that will help preserve and enhance the arts, music and vocational education programs in the schools, the easing of overcrowding in the middle and high schools, raising teachers’ salaries so that the district attracts and retains the best educators for its students, and resolving the contentious relationship between the Superintendent and teachers and staff, among others.

Additionally, Almonte is advising that the school board make parents their partners in keeping schools safe. By welcoming parents into the campuses, Hermy believes that their presence can deter gang recruitment, curb student fights and discourage misbehavior.

"I will see that our School Board values and encourages parent participation, respects teachers and staff, and will unite the community in support of our schools," said the Philippine Merchant Marine College graduate in his website and in campaign materials distributed prior to the elections.

Almonte, a property manager overseeing two properties with over 550 residents for the Bay Area’s largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing, is an active parent in the city and school district of San Leandro.

Hermy is president of the English Learner Advisory Committee, E-scrip Coordinator for the United Parents of San Leandro High School, Advisor to the Leo Service Club of San Leandro High School, member of the Lions Club of San Leandro, and a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.

County-wise, Almonte is a member-at-large of the Alameda County Consumer Affairs Commission.

Hermie and his wife Maria have two kids, Mia and Matthew who have attended San Leandro public schools. (Information obtained from www.almonteforschoolboard.com.)