District 2: Candidate Questionnaire Ronalda Tome-Warito

Name: Ronalda Tome-Warito

District: 2

Age: 60

Education: Liberal arts degree with the emphasis of special education, UNM, Race and Social Justice Certificate, UNM

Occupation: Self-employed, eight years

Family: Three children

What’s the biggest issue APS faces? How would you address it?

The biggest issue our school district faces is a teacher shortage. To address it, we would implement recruitment initiatives, offer competitive salaries and benefits and establish partnerships with local universities to attract and retain educators. Additionally, we'd invest in professional development to support and ensure quality education for our students.

Albuquerque saw more guns on school campuses last year than any other year in recent memory. As a board member, how would you shape policy to address this issue, and to increase school communities’ feelings of safety while on campus?

I think it would be important to look at the data on characteristics common to school shootings, and also examine the data on common characteristics of safe schools, including what makes children feel safe and secure in schools. We also need to take family and community alerts seriously.

As APS continues with its districtwide effort to right-size, what would your priorities be when faced with tough decisions about reimagining or repurposing schools?

1. Talk with the community and parents whose children are affected by those schools. 2. Look at the budget 3. Transportation needs.

APS students this school year will be in school longer and have different bell schedules than last year. How will you support students, educators and other staff through this transition?

I would look up the policy and the original intent for this change. Create action research models that could be used to open communication between all parties involved by listening to the challenges and the benefits of what things are working and negotiating those things which may be hard at the moment.

The current school board has laid out several goals for APS for the next five years. To what extent do they align with your goals as a board member, do you think they’re appropriate, and do you think they’re feasible?

It is important that we come together to support teachers in helping students to read which is the first goal. The goals of APS have to be streamlined to be understandable for parents, community members and stakeholders to feel like they belong and have ownership.

How much input should parents have in the curriculum and instructional materials used in their children's classrooms?

As a parent, I have noticed (we) seriously lack materials that reflect the demographics of the student populations. Parents don't have input in the curriculum and instructional materials at this time.

It’s been five years since the landmark decision in the consolidated Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit. As a board member in the state’s largest district, how do you plan to help Albuquerque’s most underserved students?

First off, let's get the title right, Martinez and Yazzie lawsuits were never consolidated. We do a disservice to the most underserved children by misleading the public in the true intentions of both lawsuits. As a board member, I will shed light to the true intentions of Martinez and Yazzie lawsuits.

The school board is currently in the process of looking for a new superintendent. What do you want out of that person?

I would like to see a community networker, bilingual, understanding the populations served and able to adhere to a budget.

What experience do you have overseeing a budget?

In past positions I have had oversight to implement a budget and to balance it. When I was on the National Indian Education Association board, we developed policies and created goals within a budget. When I served as a PTA president, I was responsible for staying in their budget.

In your opinion, what is the primary role of a school board member?

The big three, hire or fire the superintendent, the budget and creating policies.

What role should board members have in district negotiations with unions over issues facing school staff?

They have no role per board policy and per union policy.

How would you evaluate the current school board’s performance?

I didn't see a rubric attached.

Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?

No.

Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?

No.

Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, or any misdemeanor or felony?

No.