Candidate Q&A ; Questions to APS District 1 Candidates
1. APS is the biggest school district in New Mexico and one of the largest in the country with nearly 90,000 students. Some West Side residents have proposed splitting off from APS to form a separate school district. Do you think the district should be split into two or more districts? Why or why not?
2. Mayor Martin Chvez has said he wants the power to appoint school board members and oversee the school district’s construction projects, as other big-city mayors do. Would you support mayoral oversight of the school board and/or APS school construction? Why or why not?
3. APS has authorized 33 charter schools, and more are slated to open in August. Would you support authorizing more charter schools to open? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the most pressing problem facing APS? Please explain. 5. As an adult, how much time have you spent in public school classrooms?
6. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? 7. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
8. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, or any misdemeanor or felony?
Cecilia C de Baca PLACE OF RESIDENCE: La Vega Court SW AGE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 54, Albuquerque EDUCATION: Rio Grande High, 1972 graduate; bachelor’s degree in theology from Vision International University, San Ramon, Calif., 2002, through Victory Love Fellowship in Albuquerque.
OCCUPATION: Property management
FAMILY (include where your children, if any, attend school): Husband Fernando C De Baca; children Mark and Carol, both Santa Fe graduates, grandchild at Double Eagle Elementary.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Service, Employment and Redevelopment (SER) Jobs for Progress National Board.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Old River Road Neighborhood Association, Armijo Neighborhood Association.
1. If the District is split. I believe that there must be a comprehensive plan for each cluster prior to a split.
2. Yes. Something needs to be done. They tried it in New York. They tried it in D.C. Obviously, I need to get in there and see for myself, but if we continue the status quo we’re going nowhere fast.
3. Yes, after I feel every avenue has been exhausted.
4. The accountability of resources and equal and fair sharing in every area of the school district. Without this we have high dropout rates, special needs children without help.
5. I judged the speech team at Rio Grande High School. School events with my granddaughter.
6. No.
7. No.
8. No. Richard Ray Sanchez
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Sunset Farm Place SW
AGE AND PLACE OF BIRTH:
60, town of Atrisco
EDUCATION: Public schools, Valle Vista Elementary, John Adams Junior High, Rio Grande High, Fort Lewis College, and graduated from University of New Mexico in 1969 with bachelor’s degree in international studies.
FAMILY (include where your children, if any, attend school): No children, but I helped my two nieces and nephew throughout school at Rio Grande High, West Mesa High, John Adams Middle School, Pajarito Elementary.
POLITICAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Three-term state representative District 14, 1990 to 1996. Commissioner for Higher Education 1998 to 2002. Charged with approving all budgets and programs for all colleges and universities.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Volunteer tutor at Atrisco Elementary. Board member Adelante Now, a nonprofit that pays teachers to tutor at-risk students after school. Ward and Precinct chair for 10 years.
1. I’m open to the possibility of splitting the district if it is selfsustaining and it will address academic performance and growth. This year’s Legislature may resolve to add to seats to the APS Board. This may allay their concerns.
2. At this point, no. I would arrange for collaborative strategies from all stakeholders to affect efficient and timely construction of all our school projects, including his proposals for bettering academic performance.
3. Yes. State statute allows for the state or district to grant a charter. Our decision should be made on a rigorous evaluation of each applicant’s proposal. High achievement should be our standard.
4. Low academic performance, low graduation rates, lack of preparation for college and the work force. Holding the superintendent and system accountable will remedy the above concerns.
5. I volunteer an hour a week at Atrisco Elementary tutoring through Albuquerque Reads. As part of the Adelante Now board, we spend about three hours at each of our participating schools each year.
6. No.
7. No.
8. Yes. About three years go, I didn’t pay a traffic ticket for not renewing my vehicle registration on time, which was a misdemeanor. I have learned my lesson. Dolores A. Griego
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: 53rd Street SW
AGE AND PLACE OF BIRTH:
53, Los Alamos
EDUCATION: Graduate West Las Vegas High School; associate’s degree in political science/history, New Mexico State University; bachelor’s in political science and history, University Of New Mexico; have completed all course work for master’s degree in public affairs, but lacking one hour for orals, New Mexico Highlands University.
OCCUPATION: Program director of Cornucopia, an adult day services nonprofit corporation that serves the disabled and elderly in the southwest part of the city, predominantly the Valley area.
FAMILY (include where your children, if any, attend school): Husband, Patrick Rodarte; three children: Michelle, graduated from private Christian school; Francisco, graduated from Freedom High; and Angela, graduated from West Mesa High.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Candidate for New Mexico State Senate District 26 in 2004.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Currently active as president and cofounder, Crestview Bluff Neighborhood Association; secretary of (SWAN) Southwest Alliance of Neighbors, member: West Central Community Development Group.
1. No. I do not believe that this is feasible.
2. No. APS board members are accountable to the constituency when they are elected. APS and the city should work collaboratively on some projects, but one should not have oversight over the other.
3. Yes, if necessary. Currently, APS and the charter schools are engaged in joint planning and the decision on authorization of charter schools is determined by need and availability.
4. The issue of equity. One of the things that I see is the achievement gap, and the inequity of maintenance and upkeep of our schools.
5. I was actively involved with my children as they attended the public school system. I was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and the Brownies, a team mother for the Little League, and the sponsor for the elementary cheerleaders team. I attended structured meetings with their teachers and popped in to check on them when I had extra time.
6. No.
7. Yes. Because of a divorce 12 years ago, I began Chapter 13 to restructure. Within a few years I had to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
8. Yes. I have been arrested for domestic violence in 1994 during marital difficulties with my husband and for resisting arrest in 1995 when my daughter was concerned for my welfare due to a recent divorce. I was not charged or convicted in either incident.
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