VandenHeuvel for Livermore Schools

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VandenHeuvel for Livermore Schools Christiaan VandenHeuvel is deeply invested in the success of Livermore students and teachers and is running for the seat in Area 5 on the LVJUSD School Board

I’m Christiaan VandenHeuvel, a long-time Livermore resident, dedicated community leader, and passionate advocate for education. With over 30 years of experience, I’ve spent my life helping others connect, grow, and navigate challenges. I’m honored to now serve as a Trustee on the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) Board. My commitment remains the same: to ensure our schools are safe, inclusive, and innovative spaces where every student can reach their full potential. I believe every student deserves a quality education, regardless of their background, creed, or abilities, and I am dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making in our schools. Please note: The views expressed here are my own and do not represent those of the LVJUSD Board or any affiliated organization. Together, we can continue making a difference in our community!

I'm honored and humbled to share that CSEA Livermore Chapter #334 has endorsed our campaign for Area 5.CSEA is the Cali...
10/08/2026

I'm honored and humbled to share that CSEA Livermore Chapter #334 has endorsed our campaign for Area 5.

CSEA is the California School Employees Association. In Livermore, and I usually explain that to folks who don't know "the classified staff who keep our schools running every day." They're the instructional aides who sit next to kids who need a little extra help, the people who run the front offices and libraries, keep campuses clean and safe, serve lunch, and fix whatever breaks. If a student had a good day at school in Livermore, one of these folks probably had a hand in it. 100%

Over the past two years I've spent a lot of time at school sites, and these are the people I keep running into. They know our kids by name. They know what's working and what isn't.

Thank you, CSEA, for your trust. I'll keep showing up, keep listening, and keep telling the truth about the budget (even when the numbers are hard.) Grateful for you, and for everything you do for Livermore's students!! ❤️

There are other unions and organizations that have endorsed our campaign. Check them out on our the campaign website: https://vandenheuvelforschoolboard.com/

Endorsement Alert! Getting to know Livermore's Mayor, John Marchand, has been a real joy the past few years. Nobody love...
10/08/2026

Endorsement Alert!

Getting to know Livermore's Mayor, John Marchand, has been a real joy the past few years. Nobody loves this city more than he does. You can hear it in his deep knowledge of Livermore's history (don't get him started; he won't know when to stop!). You can see it in how well he knows the people who make this community thrive, and in how tirelessly he backs Livermore's businesses, organizations, and neighbors. I'm honored and humbled to have his endorsement.

John Marchand is Livermore's Mayor and the longest-serving mayor in our city's history! 🎉

John is a chemist by training who moved to Livermore in 1985, raised his family here, and has been showing up for this town ever since. He's also a community theater actor with 25+ local productions to his name. (very cool!)

There are many, many more endorsements on the campaign website. Check it out: https://vandenheuvelforschoolboard.com/

Our campaign received the endorsement of Livermore Vice Mayor Kristie Wang! I first met Kristie when I served as preside...
10/07/2026

Our campaign received the endorsement of Livermore Vice Mayor Kristie Wang!

I first met Kristie when I served as president of the PTSA at Livermore High School. She was a concerned parent who successfully helped Livermore ban harmful va**ng products targeted at young people. After her 4-year term on the School Board, I was honored to succeed her in that seat. Today, Kristie is an effective member of our City Council and knows our community inside out. Her support means the world to me!

She writes,

“Anyone who meets Christiaan immediately sees his heart, his humor, and his enthusiasm – all of which have served him well as a Livermore School Board Member.

"He listens, he feels, and he is guided by his dedication to improving the lives of all of our children. As a former PTA President, substitute teacher, father of children in our school district, and husband of a teacher, he has deep ties to our schools.

"He sees the people who are not in the room, and he is the one I want at the table when decisions are made. Vote VandenHeuvel for Area 5!”

Kristie Wang, Livermore Vice Mayor
Livermore School Board Member, 2020-2024

Former LHS Principal Helen Gladden endorses our campaign!“As a retired Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (L...
10/07/2026

Former LHS Principal Helen Gladden endorses our campaign!

“As a retired Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) administrator, I am writing to express my support for Christiaan VandenHeuvel’s campaign for election to the new Area 5 position (representing southeast Livermore) on the Livermore School Board. I have known Christiaan over many years in many capacities: parent, PTSA president, substitute teacher, and husband of an LVJUSD Special Education teacher. I know him to be caring, calm, logical, pragmatic, forward-thinking, hardworking, and collaborative.

“Christiaan believes that all students have tremendous potential, and he genuinely cares about each student’s individual journey. As an English Learner (EL), having emigrated from the Netherlands to the U.S. at the age of 20, Christiaan has first-hand knowledge of the needs of, and challenges facing, our EL population. He is also a strong advocate for programs and resources that will best support students who have an IEP (Individualized Education Program), having struggled with significant learning challenges himself.

“During his first two years in an at-large position on the school board, LVJUSD faced $14.8 million in budget shortfalls. Christiaan pushed to take neighborhood schools off the district’s budget reduction list, protect classroom spending, and safeguard the availability of resources for students with IEPs, ELs, and students behind grade level. He visited school sites to converse with faculty and staff regarding their concerns. And when the superintendent resigned, he helped fill the position with a candidate determined to steady the district, revise priorities, and rebuild morale.

“Of paramount importance to Christiaan is ensuring that every student feels valued and supported academically, socially, and emotionally. In an era where educational discussions often become polarized, Christiaan’s ability to engage in good-faith conversations makes him a candidate who can bridge divides and bring focus to what truly matters: the success and well-being of every LVJUSD student.

“Please join me in supporting Christiaan VandenHeuvel for the Livermore School Board’s Area 5 position.”

Evan Branning endorses our campaign for School Board! Evan is a FORCE to be reckoned with. He is tireless and fierce in ...
10/07/2026

Evan Branning endorses our campaign for School Board!

Evan is a FORCE to be reckoned with. He is tireless and fierce in helping the Livermore community. I have relied a lot on Evan the past two years to understand how I can use my platform, position and influence to help those who need it most. As City Council Member, he does that every day, and to receive his endorsement is so encouraging and humbling. Thanks Evan, I look forward to stand shoulder to shoulder in supporting our teachers and students!

More about Evan:

Evan Branning endorses our School Board campaign! , and politician currently serving his second term as the City Councilmember for District 1 in Livermore, California. First elected in December 2022, Branning has served as the city's Vice Mayor and Chair of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) while advocating for affordable housing, public transit, and open space preservation. Outside of local government, he works as a culinary arts and leadership instructor at Village Continuation High School and serves as the president of the Association of Pleasanton Teachers (APT). In August 2026, he was automatically reappointed to a four-year term running through 2030 after running unopposed for his seat.

I am honored to share that Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro has endorsed our campaign! 😃Alysse is ...
10/07/2026

I am honored to share that Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro has endorsed our campaign! 😃

Alysse is a fierce champion of public education and a huge supporter of LVJUSD. She is an expert in alternative education that breaks the school-to-prison pipeline, and she has spent her career building schools that address the historical inequities facing so many of Alameda County's youth, because "your educational future should not depend on your zip code." (so good!)

Her office was also a great partner to us this past year as we searched for a new superintendent. Her team was phenomenal to work with. I am not sure where we would be without them.

"As the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools, I work with 100 school board trustees, and Christiaan is one of the best. He listens, learns, and leads with a deep commitment to meeting the needs of every single student. Just as importantly, he's willing to put in the work—especially when the issues are difficult and the answers aren't easy. Livermore families are lucky to have his principled leadership on the school board."

To see other endorsements our campaign has received in the past few weeks, check out https://vandenheuvelforschoolboard.com/

Another Important Endorsement: President of the Alameda County Board of Education, Cheryl Cook-Kallio!Cheryl has been in...
10/06/2026

Another Important Endorsement: President of the Alameda County Board of Education, Cheryl Cook-Kallio!

Cheryl has been incredibly helpful to me in the first two years on the Board. Her wealth of experience, her command of the issues, her connections and her approachability has made a phone call to her a regular thing for me. I owe her so much! Thakn you Cheryl for endorsing our campaign. She writes,

"Christiaan sees all students and will work hard to make sure that all students get a chance to shine. His kind, balanced approach will help people understand the nuances all boards have to deal with. I know he does his research. That is why I endorse Christiaan for LVJUSD trustee.

Cheryl Cook-Kallio
President
Alameda County Board of Education"

To see more of the many people who endorsed our campaign, please visit https://vandenheuvelforschoolboard.com/

I am humbled and honored that someone with the stature and experience of State Senator Jerry McNerney sat down with me t...
10/06/2026

I am humbled and honored that someone with the stature and experience of State Senator Jerry McNerney sat down with me to talk about school board issues and what's happening at LVJUSD. I am beyond honored to receive his endorsement today!

Senator Jerry McNerney represents California's 5th Senate District, which includes the Tri-Valley and all of San Joaquin County. Elected in 2024 after 16 years in Congress, he chairs the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and is a former wind energy engineer with a Ph.D. in mathematics.

I get to see what teaching looks like up close, and it's SO much more than most people realize. Late nights at the compu...
10/05/2026

I get to see what teaching looks like up close, and it's SO much more than most people realize. Late nights at the computer. All the planning that happens at the kitchen table at all hours. Stories of the student who finally gets it (finally 🎉). My wife Kristina does this work with a lot of heart, and I'm so proud of her.

Teachers in Livermore and everywhere show up for kids way before the bell rings and often much long after students get to leave. A lot of that work never gets seen.

So if a teacher meant something to you or your kids, today is a good day to tell them. Do it! A short note or email goes a long way.

Thank you, Kristina. And thank you to every teacher out there. 💛

Endorsement Alert: LVJUSD Board Trustee Emily Prusso!One of people who have help make even the most challenges months in...
10/05/2026

Endorsement Alert: LVJUSD Board Trustee Emily Prusso!

One of people who have help make even the most challenges months in the past year as school board trustee is Emily Prusso. Her combination of heart, dedication, hard work, grasp of the issues, leadership, and humor has made all the difference.

The fact that she is endorsing me over my opponent is incredibly encouraging. Emily writes:

“I have had the privilege of working with Christiaan on the school board for the past two years, and during that time he has proven himself to be an effective leader and a strong advocate for students, families, and teachers.

Christiaan is particularly attentive to the needs of our students with disabilities. He has consistently advocated for the resources these students need and for programs and policies that support their success. He also asks difficult and important questions—not just during board meetings, but in every area of his governance. He is thoughtful, engaged, and willing to dig into the details to make sure we are making responsible decisions for our schools.

Just as importantly, Christiaan is a wonderful teammate. He listens, he hears different perspectives, and he works hard to find common ground and compromise while never losing sight of the importance of fiscal responsibility. He understands that good governance requires both compassion and stewardship.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Christiaan's personal qualities as well. He is kind, compassionate, funny, and a genuinely good friend. He is fiercely loyal to his community and deeply committed to its students and families. I have appreciated the opportunity to work alongside him, and I know he will continue to be an important and dedicated advocate for public education.
I am proud to endorse Christiaan for school board.”

Address

5401 Charlotte Way
Livermore, CA
94550

Telephone

+1 510-305-7185

Website

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