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Livermore school board member Christiaan VandenHeuvel is running midterm in the three-person race to represent Area 5 in the district’s first by-trustee-area election.
VandenHeuvel is competing Nov. 3 against fellow at-large trustee Deena Kaplanis and newcomer Sam Phelps to represent southeast Livermore and a portion of unincorporated Alameda County located south of the city into December 2030. As Area 5 residents, VandenHeuvel and Kaplanis would not be able to run for school board when their current terms are up in 2028.
VandenHeuvel, who also currently serves as a pastor at a local congretation, said he prioritizes closing achievement gaps for English-language learners and students who are falling behind, maintaining budget oversight to protect classroom spending and strengthening board communication with families regarding district decisions and ensuring the new Superintendent Tony Limoges has a smooth onboarding at the district.
“My work on the board is grounded in good data, steady and pragmatic judgment, and a collaborative culture that keeps the focus on students,” he said in a candidate statement. “I will keep showing up as a reasonable, practical voice for students, educators, and parents.”
Prior to becoming a trustee on the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Education, VandenHeuvel moved to the U.S. from the Netherlands at the age of 20, at which time he learned English as a second language.
As the husband of a district teacher and the father of three LVJUSD students — one current and two previous attendees — VandenHeuvel sees first hand the impact of board decisions on families, according to the statement.
“The question I bring into every board meeting is ‘How will this affect students in the classroom?’” VandenHeuvel said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “And that starts by paying attention to the kids who are furthest behind. It also means being honest about the budget, even when the numbers are difficult.”
During the first half of his at-large term, VandenHeuvel worked to help stabilize the district in the wake of the departure of former superintendent Torie Gibson, according to the statement. He was also part of two district budget oversight committees, which included him in the district’s “most consequential financial decisions”, the statement added.
Of his time on the board, he said, “It’s meant helping to steady this district through tough times, hiring a new superintendent, rebuilding trust with our teachers, and getting our finances on solid ground. Area 5 deserves a trustee who has done the work and is ready to keep moving forward.”
Outside of the board room, VandenHeuvel has served as president of the parent-teacher-student association for three years at Livermore High School as well as member of the school site council at LHS and East Avenue Middle School. He has also worked as a substitute teacher.
Through his work in the community, VandenHeuvel has come to understand the needs of families in the diversity of Livermore, according to the statement.
For more information about VandenHeuvel and his platform, visit his campaign website at vandenheuvelforschoolboard.com.
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