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Questions 1. Do you support efforts to evaluate teachers partly on the basis of their students’ test score improvement? Why or why not? 2. Do you support charter schools and the expansion of the charter school movement in Albuquerque? Why or why not? 3. As a school board member, would you be willing to conduct all board business on a public email address? Why or why not? 4. Do you support a state law mandating retention of third-graders who test below grade level in reading? Why or why not? 5. Please give your evaluation of Superintendent Winston Brooks’ performance. 6. Describe your approach and priorities in setting the APS budget. 7. What district policies, if any, would you wish to change or enact if elected to the board? 8. What is the biggest problem facing APS? 9. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? 10. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? 11. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. |
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Candido Arturo Archuleta Jr.
AGE: 35
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in political science and Spanish, Eastern New Mexico University; master’s in community and regional planning, University of New Mexico.
OCCUPATION: Self-employed; consulting.
FAMILY: Wife, Leticia; two sons, ages 4 and 7.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: No elected offices held; New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission, commissioner, 2010-2014; Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Federal Technical Advisory Panel, member, 2008-2012; Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education Redistricting Committee, member, 2011; State Auditor’s Rural Task Force on Accountability, co-chair, 2008; North Central New Mexico Economic Development District, planning director, 2002-2009.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Working with local government entities and communities on administrative and legislative policy development and community and economic development initiatives to help build capacity, foster sustainability and create local economic opportunities throughout New Mexico.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Serving as PTA President of Dolores Gonzales Elementary School and working with parents and staff to increase resources for students and classrooms, improve school safety and advocate for long overdue facility improvements.
1. No. We must give educators the ability to teach to the individual needs of each student and not force them into teaching to a standardized test, particularly tests developed for profits, not for measuring progress.
2. I support public charter schools. APS must develop positive relationships with charters to strengthen the educational community in our region so that parents have options for determining the best educational environment for their children.
3. Yes, school board members are public servants and official correspondence is subject to the Inspection of Public Records Act.
4. No. Children reading below grade level do not need retention but intervention and support services tailored to their individual needs.
5. Increasing personal pension benefits while educators and staff have not had increases in four years, plus requesting a contract extension prior to election of new board demonstrates a lack of concern for personnel and community.
6. Better utilization of capital budget to reduce operating overhead and increase resources to be put back directly into schools and classrooms. Reduce administrative overhead not directly related to providing resources or services for students.
7. Reduce classroom size; increase physical and mental health care services in APS; reduce disparity in salaries between top level administration and school staff; provide more dual language options throughout the district; increase professional development opportunities for employees.
8. Classroom overcrowding and lack of adequate resources in schools.
9. No.
10. No.
11. No.
Leah E. Persons
AGE: 63
EDUCATION: Two-year program certified dental assistant, 1970; Bachelor’s in education, University of New Mexico, 1996; real estate agent license, 2001-expired.
OCCUPATION: Currently retired and rebuilding art studio.
FAMILY: Single.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Appointed to the Board of Registration Bernalillo County, 2010-2012: third party voter registration agent.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: I was a successful business owner, Pottery by Leah, for 29 years. Simultaneously, I was privileged to manage galleries promoting other artists’ work, and until recently, was manager/buyer at the Gallery Store at the Albuquerque Museum.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: I became the trustee of a small trust, which increased my skills in real estate, agriculture, litigation, commodities, and investments. After six years, the trust was solvent and profitable when terminated, and distributions made.
1. This is a current regulation of the Public Education Department. The APS board must abide by all state statutes and regulations. I support teacher professional certifications as part of their evaluations.
2. Yes. Charter schools are authorized by the PED. APS is an “authorizer” of over 50 charter schools. Education is at a point of singularity in this district. We must use all tools to stimulate learning.
3. Yes, with the exception of issues concerning minors, and any other federal and state statutes prohibiting public disclosure, and non-disclosure agreements between parties in litigation.
4. I am in favor of extending the K-3 Plus Program to all schools. This provides funds for tutors for students needing extra time on task. This will help with reading proficiency and grade advancement.
5. Winston Brooks manages one of the largest districts in the country. He has political savvy. The community is looking for better results. As a board member, I will work with the superintendent and the board to improve results.
6. Use monies to modernize older school buildings and improve security, improve the cohort graduation rate, close the achievement gap and increase students’ life skills for work and higher education. Increase classroom salaries at the bottom.
7. I would like a policy to simplify the construction and implementation of policies. Also, I would like to make sure that if the board tasks the superintendent, there is automatic follow through by his staff.
8. Hiring the best teachers and retaining them. We must use community mentoring resources effectively. We must make sure students and teachers have the supplies and support they need in the classroom.
9. No.
10. No.
11. No.
Lorenzo L. Garcia (incumbent)
AGE: 61
EDUCATION: Bachelor of University Studies, and 18 hours non-degree in master of public health coursework.
FAMILY: Wife Sylvia A. Garcia; five adult children and five grandchildren.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Elected member of the APS board, one term.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Received Community Pillar Award from First Choice Community Health Care; president for New Mexico Public Health Association for three terms during the 1990s.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: I helped found and lead a delegation of individuals (United to Eliminate Racism) to the U.N. Conference on Racism in Durban, South Africa, in August 2001, where we conducted workshops for other community activists.
1. Teacher evaluations could include some form of review of student test scores, including a review of data on each student’s performance. But it should particularly include regular observations by the school principals, and peer reviews, as well as student portfolios that highlight the growth of learning in a school year.
2. I support the current moratorium proposed by the APS Board of Education until clarification is provided by the New Mexico Legislature. I am interested in the idea of charter-magnet public schools as a kind of hybrid collaborative model, that’s directed to meet a particular need like serving disenfranchised students.
3. All public schools should conduct all board communication on public email addresses. If, for a matter of convenience, a personal email account is used to communicate about business, this should be made available upon request.
4. No. An emotionally appealing idea that’s ideologically driven, but a misguided policy initiative. All third-graders should be able to read. Emphasis should be on funding early childhood programs adequately, and utilize targeted pedagogically sound interventions.
5. Superintendent does very well in some areas, must continue to grow in others. He does well nationally. I’d like to see him building an organizational culture that creates conditions where excellent outcomes are more likely.
6. Ideally hold numerous public presentations about what is being proposed, invites and values public feedback, seeks input from all levels of staff. Our budget must address the achievement gap.
7. All teachers must become TESOL certified (teaching English as a second language). All front office staff be bilingual, starting with (English/Spanish) to meet the needs of our majority population. APS must have a consistent policy about how and when dual language classes are established.
8. APS has endured budget cuts and faces an alarmingly hostile environment. Over 100 million dollars cut, positions left unfilled, increase classroom sizes create many pressures. Our organization’s culture must build teamwork, communicate respect and always build opportunities for constructive dialogue.
9. No.
10. No.
11. No.
