What pandemic policies do you think were successes in terms protecting students and staff and what did you disagree with? What should schools do if the city gets hit with a new surge of infections?

All California schools were shut down in March of 2020. In anticipation of our return to in-person instruction for the fall semester, safety protocols as with social distancing and PPE were thoughtfully instituted. I am impressed with our staff’s ability to create safe classroom environments with attention to detail like providing voice amplifying devices for teachers to prevent straining while speaking masked. Our COVID taskforce was led by Dr. Tiffany Brown, who stayed abreast of all required COVID mitigations and guidelines and was in constant contact with Dr. Anissa Davis of the Long Beach Health Department. I stand by our cautious approach and commitment to following state and local guidelines. Our ongoing collaboration with the Health Department and an understanding of the unpredictable nature of this virus ensures our readiness to implement safety measures as needed. 

Given the October 2021 killing of Mona Rodriguez by a Millikan High School safety officer, would you support the removal of all armed security and police from school campuses?

We no longer have armed security or police officers positioned on any of our school campuses. Trained school security officers are permitted on campus when summoned by school administration.

The district has warned for decades that declining enrollment could ultimately lead to budget cuts across the LBUSD. Where would you make reductions and what would you fight to protect?

I joined the board at a time during the recession when the district was forced to cut over $300 million from the budget. We are fortunate to have recovered from that devastating time with an informed and fiscally conservative approach to the budget. Preventative measures such as keeping an eye on staffing ratios and long-term projections help to avoid the need for cuts. Reductions must be made in a way that insulates our basic educational foundation. We must keep cuts away from the students and protect essential jobs.

The LBUSD is unique because it blends together inner-city and suburban students into one educational setting. What will you do to ensure that the achievement gap currently experienced by some students is closed? 

Certain key factors contribute to our renewed focus on closing the achievement gap. Conducting a communication audit and subsequent hiring of a chief communications director, conducting a curriculum audit and our comprehensive Learning Acceleration and Support Plan prioritize the needs of our historically marginalized students and families. In the last year, the board has passed an Equity and Excellence Policy and conducted community visioning and listening sessions to elevate all voices. I have been an integral part of the board’s commitment to a more active role in improving student outcomes.

The LBUSD is the city’s largest employer but is at an impasse in contract negotiations with one of its largest unions. What perspective would you bring to the position to help ensure that the district is not affected by work stoppages? 

I bring 10 years of experience in dealing with our labor partners. I have learned that cultivating a culture of quality relationships is grounded in trust and mutual respect. I have always made myself available to meet and listen to all points of view and to value the people and their respective work.

What is your position on the district’s plan for gender-neutral locker rooms?

I am proud of our staff for the innovative thinking regarding the proposed gender-neutral locker room. I am equally proud of the ability to put those plans on hold as more information is gathered. This is a decision that requires careful consideration.

What pandemic policies do you think are successes in terms of protecting students and staff and what did you disagree with? What should schools do if the city gets hit with a new surge of infections?

• Agree with the initial response to send students home in March 2020 while greater understanding of the virus was gained, and appropriate safety methods developed. 
• Admire the district’s implementation of virtual learning and quick implementation of software and hardware to extend learning in an immensely challenging environment
• I admire the district’s timely implementation of vaccinations, testing and the choice to choose.
• I believe that asking district staff to perform contact tracing was a poor decision. Teachers and staff have far too much on their plates as it is, especially having to implement virtual learning at that time. That is a duty that should have been outsourced by an agency prepared to do such work (and funded by the mandate). 
• Two years in, statistics show .001% deaths of children ages 0-18 due to COVID. Given that information, if another surge hit, schools should offer a hybrid option, as they did previously. I do not believe school should be shut down. Virtual learning has set far too many students gravely behind.

Given the October 2021 killing of Mona Rodriguez by a Millikan High School safety officer, would you support the removal of all armed security and police from school campuses?

I worked for California’s Juvenile Justice System for 27 years. While the youth incarcerated in that system (or supervised in the community) had sustained felonies, they were still children (youth). Even in that system, where staff are authorized to be armed (with optimum weapons training) firearms were prohibited from entry into every juvenile institution. I do not believe school officers should carry lethal weapons on or within the boundaries of school campuses. There are numerous non-lethal options for safety, and even those would hardly ever need to be employed. Safety is about a culture and is furthered by strong policy guiding proactive, community-oriented campuses with enhanced communication, mutual respect and accountability. 

The district has warned for decades that declining enrollment could ultimately lead to budget cuts across LBUSD. Where would you make reductions and what would you fight to protect?

As an outsider, I realize that budgets are highly complex, and I would have to take significant time and effort to educate myself on this one. From what is posted online, even with all of the deficiencies, there are areas where excess appears. I would have to educate myself on what the many items are and go from there. For example, there are several items titled “consulting and operating” or “restricted” under various categories, which show excess. Additionally,

• I would look at school populations and consider consolidating campuses. Further, with a decline in enrollment, costs and expenditures would need to be recalculated to match the population.
• Supplies and the management of such can be improved. Being present on campuses, I see a good amount of waste in this area. A revamp of this process may be beneficial.
• I would rethink the bidding process. Lowest is not always best and definitely not always cost-effective.
• Administrative oversight should be targeted to staff demonstrating the need, not a general ratio. Strong and/or self-sufficient staff and administrators should be offered professional development. They should also be teaching it. This could reduce the high cost of a top-heavy organizational structure.
• Given the high cost of living in California and the ultimate value being with people and service, I consider salaries and benefits untouchable. 
• Given the high value of land/property in California, I would look at repurposing / reuse of unused facilities and lands for income, as well as the taxes and bonds connected to them
• I would protect the learning programs, models and staffing ratios proven to improve student performance and therapeutic school cultures. 
  • Learning communities
  • Social and Emotional Mental Health support
  • Leadership Academy’s

The LBUSD is unique because it blends together inner-city and suburban students in to one educational setting. What will you do to ensure that the achievement gap currently experienced by some students is closed?

I would continue to keep student campus cultures blended and work against the “separate but equal” mindset of operation. Students identified as in greater need should be targeted with programs funded by the Title I monies they garner. Every school is its own culture. That culture is strengthened by its diversity. Faculty and staff foster that culture. No particular school is Title I or not. The funding and resources should follow the student. I would continue to garner expertise and training, as well as proven interventions that reach those populations. 

The LBUSD is the city’s largest employer, but it is at an impasse in contract negotiations with one of its largest unions. What perspective would you bring to the position to help ensure that the district is not affected by work stoppage?

I believe that every agency must value and empower its employees if it intends to prosper. I would not sacrifice the compensation of employees nor expenses tied to student achievement and benefit. There must be consideration for those employees. Compromise must be made on both ends, which happens when both parties make concessions. These employees deserve more. 

What is your position on the district’s plan for gender-neutral locker rooms?

In my opinion, the facilities should be like the family restrooms are. They are a unique facility. All students deserve to feel safe and comfortable, particularly when changing clothes or other individually personal actions. Likely the best way to accomplish that is for students who identify as gender-neutral to have their own specified locker room. It is also my opinion that the parents of these students must be informed and consent if their child elects to use this facility.