Sweetwater School Board candidates discuss how they plan to move past state audit — September 28, 2020 San Diego Union-Tribune
Trustee, Trustee Area 2 — Sweetwater Union High School District
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Trustee, Trustee Area 2 — Sweetwater Union High School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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Top 3 Priorities
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Top 3 Priorities
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Sandra L. "Sandi" Smith
Retired Sweetwater School District...
Top 3 Priorities
- Return teachers and student programs to the Sweetwater...
- Maintain fiscal stability in the Sweetwater District
- Student success
Profile
Endorsed by
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Past principals, administrators and employees of the Sweetwater District.
Teacher/Professor
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Classroom Teacher/Mother
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Retired District Employee
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Return teachers and student programs to the Sweetwater School District safely.
- Maintain fiscal stability in the Sweetwater District
- Student success
Experience
Experience
Profession:Retired Sweetwater School District Administrator
Executive Assistant/Clerk of the Board, Sweetwater Union High School District (1993–2012)
Clerk of the Board, Sweetwter Union High School District Board of Trustees — Appointed position (1993–2012)
Education
San Diego State, Southwestern College — College coursework, Languages and public affairs (2005)
San Diego State and Southwestern College — Coursework, Languages and public affairs (2005)
Community Activities
Secretary/Treasurer, Mariachi Scholarship Foundation (1997–current)
Biography
I am passionate about student education in the Sweetwater Union High School District. I want to work wiith the board, staff and the community to come together to create an atomosphere of excellent education, honesty and trust. I support both certificated and classified staff who I feel are the backbone of the district. They are the glue that holds the district together to serve the students and the communities in the South Bay.
Candidate worked for the Sweetwater Board of Trustees for over 16 years, preparing their meetng agendas, minutes, correspondance and acting as laison with the community. Prior to this, I worked in public affairs in the aerospace industry. Prior employment was in law enforcement at San Diego Sheriff's Department in homicide and the fraud divisions and Chula Vista Police Department as assistant to the detectives.
Who supports this candidate?
Individuals (1)
- Past principals, administrators and employees of the Sweetwater District.
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters San Diego and League of Women Voters North County San Diego (1)
What are the three biggest challenges facing this region in the decade of the 2020s, and how would you use this office to help our community prepare for (and meet) those challenges?
Answer from Sandra L. "Sandi" Smith:
The largest challeng facing this region has been the Covid-19 Pandemic. If elected, I would be able to make decisions that will have an effect on student safety and learning in the Sweetwater District which in turn will affect the community as a whole.
Questions from League of Women Voters of San Diego and League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (1)
What action (personal or professional) that you have taken most exemplifies how you will execute the duties of this office in the coming term, if you are elected?
Answer from Sandra L. "Sandi" Smith:
Working for the Board of Trustees of the Sweetwater Union High School District gives me great insight into the workings of the whole district, from the board, to the fiscal issues and teachers and students as a whole. I feel that with my past knowledge I will be able to navigate the issues that arise. With the cooperation of the full board, we can work together to solve the issues affecting the district.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
While the position of Trustee is not a political position, I will work with the community to create an environment of trust and integrity working with the elected officials of the district and the cities we serve.
Position Papers
2020 Board Election Goals
Summary
The position paper will cover my goals and plans if elected.
· SAFETY - STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL MUST BE ABSOLUTELY SAFE. WORK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO PROVIDE A RETURN FOR STUDENTS TO THE CLASSROOM IN A SAFE AN METOTHICAL MANNER. PROVIDE THE SAFETY MEASURES AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO BRING STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN IT IS DEEMED SAFE.
· FINANCIAL STABILITY: BRING BACK FINANCIAL STABILITY BY WORKING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD, CFO AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE. I HAVE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE DISTRICT FUNDS TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING SPENT ELSEWERE – INCLUDING BRINGING BACK TEACHERS.
· SOLVE THE CURRENT FISCAL PROBLEMS: I WANT A VERY THOROUGH INVESTIGATION TO ASCERTAIN HOW THE CURRENT FISCAL PROBLEMS WERE CREATED. THEN INSTITUTE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
· STUDENT SUCCESS – ATTEMP TO BRING BACK STUDENT PROGRAMS – SUCH AS LEARNING CENTERS, THAT WERE ELIMINATED; STRENGTHEN THE BACCALAUREATE AND LIKE PROGRAMS. (LISTEN TO PRINCIPALS AND FRONT LINE TEACHERS TO SEE WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE TO BETTER SERVE THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.)
· EMPLOYEE FAIRNESS: ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED FAIRLY.
· ESTABLISH A GOOD SOUND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.
· WORK OPENLY WITH HONEST COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOND OVERSITE COMMITTEE KEEP THEM FULLY INFORMED TO GIVE THEM THE FISCAL INFORMATION THEY REQUEST - AND PROVIDE THE INFORMATION NECESSARY. LISTEN TO THEM TO VALIDATE THEIR CONCERNS.
· HONEST, INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL ARE MY MAIN GOALS.
