Mesa Vista School Board
1. What specifically should the district do to attract high quality teachers?
2. How would you improve the district’s compliance with public records and open meetings laws?
Position 4
Edna Campos
1. To attract high quality teachers we must strengthen our efforts of recruitment. By integrating recruitment initiatives, systemically evaluating our recruitment policies, and modify policies modeling school districts that have had effective practices.
Also, develop a “Grow Your Own” program. This gives the district the opportunity to create our own pipeline of new teachers by partnering with colleges to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers. This program also enables administrators to tailor preparation programs to the specific need of the district.
2. There is no excuse for the lack and total disregard of our governing laws. Improving our compliance should not be a question. As a board member I would never try to suggest that I am above the law therefore, never allow myself to act as such.
I am a firm believer that if I am elected I am accountable to the students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community. Information should be readily available on how I serving each and every one of them. They are entitled to that.
Joe Gurulé Jr., Campos’ only opponent in this race, declined to answer this week’s questions.
Position 5
Marvyn Jaramillo
1. I believe that the Mesa Vista School District through the superintendent should be able to attract highly qualified teachers as defined in the “No Child Left Behind Act”, by using a variety of available in-state and out of state recruiting and advertising strategies, visiting universities, attending teacher job fairs, inclusive of using the Rural Education Achievement Program by the existing Cooperative Educational Services Agency.
In addition, contingent on availability of state or federal funding, the board could even consider approving a budget with a financial incentive plan to attract high qualified teachers, which include a competitive salary schedule, benefits, reimbursement for college tuitions, training opportunities, small class sizes, mentoring programs, monetary stipend for multiple teaching endorsements and a reasonable sign up bonus.
2. I would request that all board members of the Mesa Vista School Board, its superintendent and administrative team attend a mandated legal training session as a group on the topics of the “Open Meeting Act,” and the “Inspection of Public Records Act” for clarity, implementation and compliance of the state laws.
Joseph Henry Lopez, Jaramillo’s only opponent in this race, did not participate in this week’s questionnaire.