WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD?
I am running for school board for National School District because as a long time resident of National City, and a fully engaged member of the community, I understand the issues a?ecting our students and their families. I have already served as an elected o?cial for 3
consecutive terms, a total of 12 years. I ran in 2020 with very limited resources, and lost for 218. I am running again because I have more experience than my opponents as I have attended Master in Governance Certi?cate twice, and have learned to deal with many issues involving negotiations, and fair and equitable representation. Experience Matters, as our children’s future cannot be placed in hands of people who have still to learn the rules and state/federal/local guidelines.
WITH STUDIES SHOWING STUDENTS ARE BEHIND DUE TO COVID 19 PANDEMIC, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON THE POLICY LEVEL IN ENSURING STUDENTS BEHIND ARE ABLE TO CATCH UP?
I have been participating in several conversations with members of Educate for the Future working on legislation for bringing extra-resources for our students, and legislation to support students in the area of mental health.
ARE YOU A PROPONENT OF ARMED TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS AS A WAY OF ADDRESSING SCHOOL SAFETY?
No. Absolutely not, teachers are credentialed to teach not to use guns in the classroom. I am a proponent of hiring security to protect the students, I also believe in planning for a safe environment, including but not limited to train the principals and other personnel to evaluate the environment intentionally every time, to make sure doors are properly working to avoid cases, where doors have been left opened such as in the case of the last shootings. Plans must be frequently evaluated including experts in the ?eld of school safety.
HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS SCHOOL SAFETY SO PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS COULD ACCESS CAMPUS WHILE UNWANTED INDIVIDUALS ARE KEPT AWAY?
Schools have a protocol to follow for volunteers and all need to be ?ngerprinting and have a criminal background check. Parent should be o?ered safety training in general to denounce any indication of strange behavior in individual coming to the schools. Parents must go through the main o?ce to request any service or attention to their children. There are other forms that need to be in place, such as robot calls, texting directly to the parents, e-mails with urgent tone, notifying constantly the parents what is happening and guidelines.
HOW CAN THE DISTRICT SUPPORT HOMELESS STUDENTS?
There are many ways that the district can continue supporting the homeless students, such as providing food, uniforms, school supplies and referring them to agencies specialized on these services.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS APPROPRIATE TO BAN BOOKS FROM SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARIES?
Schools must focus on delivering the mandated curriculum as their priorities as our students will be evaluated on the learning of the school’s framework and state guidelines. Books that are promoting hate towards any group, and pornography should not be in the classrooms.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE GOALS , IF ELECTED?
I will continue to ensure that our school district provide with a safe and fully inclusive environment for all students and teacher through open communication with the teachers, students, parents and members of the community. 2. I am committed to increase the services for homeless students, students with special needs, and English Language Learners and their families by increasing the community engagement and creating more partnerships with parents and businesses. 3. I will continue to working on improving the level of equity and equality to provide a high quality education for our students, as I did during Covid 19 while being the President of the Board. The issue of equity and the need for closing the achievement gap is fundamental to create a successful teaching environment, and I am committed to work for our students with transparency, integrity and open communication with all stakeholders.
WHAT CURRICULUM OR ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU ADVOCATE FOR TO BETTER CHALLENGE ADVANCED STUDENTS?
Firstly, teachers teaching students who are considered gifted or have proven that are above average based on the standards MUST be quali?ed to teach Gifted and Talented students. All children should be a?orded a well-balanced STEAM curriculum to succeed in a global society.
HOW WOULD YOU CONNECT WITH THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY?
I will continue being actively engaged as I have been. I belong to many di?erent groups where I volunteer my time and experience such as San Diego Organizing Project , I have been a member for 17 years, OTNC Reunion, Old town National City Reunion where we are working on the representation of our heritage of our residents of National City. Teatro Mascara Magica , I am currently the President, promoting the Visuals and Performing Arts, lead by our founder William Virchis. I participate also in DELAC, PTA of the National School District, and Educate for the Future , a cadre of educators, school boards, and community members. I attend meeting with elected o?cial to bring concerns and input to improve our students education. As a former school board member I have been a delegate for California School Board Association for the 17 region elected in 4 consecutive years where I provided my input and concerns for the betterment of our school’s system in California. I belong to the South Bay Forum where community members from all the south area get together to present topics of interest for our area, including but not limited to education, civil rights and housing.
WHICH PAST EFFORTS FROM YOUR BOARD WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO AMPLIFY OR GROW, AND WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO END OR PHASE OUT?
I would continue improving the services for our special education, Gifted and Talented and English Learners students which includes our homeless students. We need to continue providing a better access to our programs to achieve higher levels of equity and equality for all students.
