DUSD Officials Honor Catherine Kuo: 'She Would Always Be There'

DUBLIN, CA — The Dublin Unified School District school board and superintendent were among those who honored the legacy of late Trustee Catherine Kuo Tuesday night, and remembered her as a deeply devoted public servant with a positive, can-do attitude.

A vase of lilies sat in place of Kuo, who died three weeks ago after a car hit her while volunteering at Fallon Middle School. The Saratoga native was 48 and leaves behind her husband and two children.

This week's board meeting was the first held since the tragic crash sent shockwaves through the Dublin schools community. Board President Dan Cherrier opened the meeting with a moment of silence in her honor.

It was an emotional board meeting for the trustees and community members in attendance. Kuo died a day after the board's prior meeting.

Superintendent Daniel Moirao joined trustees in thanking Kuo's family for sharing a beloved wife and mother with the DUSD community. He lauded the family for modeling how their spiritual faith, their guide and strength, helped them amid such a dark hour.

Kuo was kindhearted, respectful and didn't shy away from speaking her mind, Moirao said. She loved her community.

Kuo was so devoted to her work as a trustee that she would call and email Moirao at all hours with questions, then apologize for taking up his time, he said.

"I wondered when she slept," Moirao said. "I was never able to convince her that that was my job, and I appreciated her for asking rather than assuming."

Cherrier, who has served on the board for five years, said it was clear to him that Kuo brought something special to the group. She heard everyone and helped them work together as a team.

"We're all coming maybe from a different viewpoint, but were all trying to accomplish the same thing," Cherrier said. "We're going to miss her being able to make us realize that."

Trustee Gabi Blackman said she knew Kuo would be perfect for the board's Area 3 seat when it opened up — Kuo was engaging and had a way of making people feel comfortable. She was selfless, thoughtful and giving.

Kuo was initially hesitant to serve on the board. She wanted to spend time with family and volunteer. She offered to help Blackman find a good candidate, but Blackman said that "deep down inside I knew that Catherine was the right person."

"[Kuo] would just step up to the plate," Blackman said. "Whatever it was, whatever you needed, she would always be there."

Kuo ultimately agreed to serve as the representative for a year until a new candidate could be identified, Blackman said. But when it came time to file re-election papers, Kuo decided she would stay.

Kuo may be one of the best trustees that the school district has had, Blackman said. She didn't come with an agenda; Kuo just wanted to improve the lives of others. And she had so much more that she wanted to do, Blackman said.

Kuo was a giant, she said.

"Cat is just like that — she gives not just 1,000 percent, but what I call the 'Cat percent,'" Blackman said. "Which is, like, a thousand, thousand times higher."

Katherine Cheng, student representative on the board, said she saw Kuo as a role model. She was always a text message or phone call away. Cheng said she and Kuo had shared values, such as advocating for DUSD's Asian American Pacific Islander community.

"It is clear to me that she was an incredible representative in our community and a great mother," Cheng said.

Trustee Kristin Pelham said it was difficult to believe that Kuo would no longer sit in the chair next to her at board meetings. Kuo had such a passion for connecting with others and seeking to understand both sides of an issue, Pelham said.

"I know we will find ways to keep her positive spirit and generous smile with us," she said.

Natalie Young, a teacher at Cottonwood Creek K-8 School, spoke during the public comment period of the way Kuo genuinely cared and sought out the opinions of staff.

"I'm so grateful for having known Catherine," Trustee Megan Rouse said. "I will never forget her."

Watch the board meeting here. The board will discuss the replacement process for Kuo at its April 27 meeting.

More from Dublin Patch:

• Catherine Kuo Vigil: 'Local Superhero,' Loving Mom And Wife
• Dublin Mourns School District Trustee Killed In Campus Crash