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LaMesa-SpringValleySchools4750DateAvenueLaMesa,CA91942August3,2017SpecialBoardMeeting-5:00P.M.Dr.EmmaTurner,President(ET):ThisspecialsessionoftheLaMesa-SpringValleySchoolBoardwillcometoorder.Andifyouwillpleasejoinmebystandingandplacingyourhandoveryourheart,wewilldothePledgeofAllegiancetogether.Ready,begin.(PledgeofAllegiance)ET:Goodevening,welcomeeveryone.Wehaveaquorumestablishedwithallfourmembersbeingpresent.Andthenextthingontheagendahereisthecommunications.Mr.Superintendent?BrianMarshall,Superintendent(BM):Nocommunications.ET:None,okay,thankyou.We’llmovetoapprovaloftheagendaforthisspecialsession.BobDuff,Member(BD):Imovetoapprove.DavidChong,VicePresident(DC):Isecond.ET:Well,themotionandsecondtoapprovetheagenda.Anydiscussion?Allinfavor:(Chong,Duff,Long,Turner).AllOpposed:(None).Dowehaveanyabstentions?(None)Motioncarried.Okay,nowIalittleannouncementtomakeinaccordancewithBoardBylaw9324.Iherebyannouncethatthismeetingisbeingtaperecordedinordertofacilitatetheproductionofminutes.Therecorderisinplainsiteonthedais,andtherecordingwillbedestroyedwithin30days.Allright,nextthingontheagendaisourpublichearingregardingmattersspecifiedonthisagenda.Sincethisisaspecialhearing,thepublichearingisaboutthemattersonthisagendaonly.Ihavenotreceivedanyspeakerslips.BM:Therearenonetopresent.ET:Therearenone.Sincetherearenone,thehearingisnowclosed.Okay,newbusiness.I’mgoingtojustannounce…BM:ThenI’lldiscuss.ET:ThefirstitemunderNewBusiness,theonlyitemunderNewBusinessisSuperintendent1,isAppointmenttotheBoardofEducation,andthisisActionItem.Mr.Superintendent.BM:So,astheBoardandthepublicisaware,theBoardhasavacancygeneratedbytheresignationofMemberRickWinet.Boardchosetofillthatvacancywithaprovisionalappointment.Thevacancywasadvertisedinavarietyofways.WedidhavesevencandidatesattheBoardmeetingonAugust1.TheBoardchosetointerviewsixofthesevencandidates.ThosesevencandidateswerecontactedbymyofficeandinvitedtobeherethiseveningtoaddresstheBoard.Thecandidatesarehere.Wewillbeconductinginterviewsoneatatime.Wewillexcusethecandidateswhoarenotbeinginterviewedassoonaswe’redonewiththissection.Wewillinterviewinalphabeticalorder.Oncethecandidatehascompletedtheirinterview,they’rewelcometostayhereintheBoardroomtoheartherestoftheinterviews.Afterthelast

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interviewhasbeencompleted,theBoardwilldeliberateinpublicsession,andaccordingtoRobert’sRulesofOrder,withamotion,asecond,andamajorityvote,selecttheprovisionalapplicanttoservetheremainingtermofRickWinet,whichwouldbeuntilNovember2018.ET:Ithink,didyoumentionthepartabouttheirlittlespeech?BM:Iwasgoingtodothatnext.Theinterviewwillconsistofthreeminutesforopeningremarksfromthecandidate,followedbyquestionsfromtheBoard.You’llhavetwominutestoanswereachofthequestionsoftheBoard.Therewillbeeightquestions.Thenfollowedbytwominutesforanyclosingremarks.ThosewillallbetimedbytheSuperintendent,andIhaveacardwillletyouknowwhenyouhaveoneminuteremaining,andwhentimeisup.AndIhavemyfancystopwatch,sowe’llbeallsetthere.AndwiththeBoard’spermission,whatwewoulddorightnowisexcusealloftheapplicants.Mr.Magliatowillescortthemtothegreenroom,andIwouldaskRebekahtostayandgetreadytobeinterviewed.DC:Haveyouclarifiedthatourquestionswillbeexactlythesameforallcandidates?BM:Theywillbe.ET:Okaycandidates,goodluck.BM:We’llexcusethecandidates.DC:Andalittlesipofwater.BM:WaitforMr.Magliatotoreturn.ET:OkayBobDuff(BD):We’renotthatmean,don’tworry.RebekahBasson(RB):Thetissuesarerighthere.(Laughter)BM:Wehaven’tmadeanyonecryyet.Well,Icry.JimLong,Member(JL):Ofcourse,youarethefirstone.DC:Ifwe’rewriting,we’renotmarkingyoudown.ET:Hejustwentthatway?Oh,thereheis.BM:Didyougetlost?JL:Weweren’twaitingforyouoranything.(Laughter)GuidoMagliato,AssistantSuperintendent(GM):(Inaudible)

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ET:Okay,RebekahBasson?RB:Basson,orBasson(pronunciation)ET:Basson?Okay.BM:Openingremarks.ET:Thefirstorderofbusinessisyouropeningremarks.Youhave–BM:Threeminutes.ET:ThreeminutesRB:Thankyouforinvitingmetobeheretoday.It’sanhonortobehere.IusedtotakecareofalittlegirlnamedJordanandJordanhadDownsSyndrome.AndwhenIfirstbegantotakecareofher,shehadareallyhardtimegettingherwordsacross,andyoucouldtellsheknewwhatshewantedtosay,butshewasn’tabletocommunicateit.Sohermomputherinaspecialeducationclassatthelocalpublicschoolandwithinthefirstmonthofbeinginthisclass,Jordanbegantoimproverapidly.Itwasphenomenaltoseehowquicklysheimprovedandbecauseofherimprovement,shewasabletomainstreamintosomeofthenormaldaytodayfunctionsatherschool,andshereallybegantothrive.SeeingJordan’sexperienceatthepublicschoolhelpedmerealizethatpubliceducationisanecessity,andpublicschoolsarethefoundationofourcommunity.That’swhyI’mheretoday,is,ohgosh,seeyouaregoingtomakemecry.(Laughter).Andthat’swhyheretoday.IknowthatI’myoung,andmyhusbandandIdon’thaveanychildrenofourownyet,butifwedid,ourchildrenwouldbeatMurdockElementary.AndsoaLMSVschoolisthefirststepoftheireducation.Thatwouldbewheretheywouldstarttheirlearningprocess,andIactuallythinkthatitwouldbequiteawonderfulthing.AndformetobeapartoftheBoardthatisshapingthefutureofmychildren’seducationwouldbesuchaprivilege,andIwouldlovetoassistincontinuingthelegacythatLMSVschoolsareworkingon–alegacythatmychildrenwillexperience.Iknowthatthemostimportantpartofastudent’ssuccessistheparentalinvolvement,andinfact,Ifullyattributemysuccesstomyparents’involvementinmyeducationandmylife.AndonethingthatIfeelIbringtotheBoardisIhaveauniqueperspective.Theparentswhoareputtingtheirchildrenintoourschoolsaremyage,theyaremygeneration,andourschoolshavealowrateofparentalinvolvement.AndIthinkthatI,actually,Iknow,thatIamabletoconnecttothem,andrelatetotheminawaythatmaybetheBoardhasn’tbeenabletodobefore.AndthatisadynamicthingtobringtotheBoardandIreallybelievethatitbringscontemporarynewideas,andthatIwouldbeastrengthandanasset.ET:Areyoudone?RB:Thatwasit.ET:Thankyou.We’llmoveontoquestionsnow.Iwillbeginthequestioningwithyourfirstquestion.WhatdoyouknowabouttheLMSVSchoolstudents?RB:Iknowthattheyareverydiverseandthatrangesfromtheirdiversityinage,thelanguagethattheyspeak,theirdemographics,theirethnicityandculture.Andthesemanydiversitiescanoftenposespecificproblemstotheteachers,wherethey’renotabletoteacheverystudentinthesameway.Andthat’soneofthethingsthatIcommendtheLMSVSDonistheirstrivingtoclosetheachievementgap,andIwouldliketoencouragetheBoardtocontinuestrivingtoclosetheachievementgapthroughprofessional,offeringprofessionaldevelopmenttotheteacherssothattheycancontinuetolearnhowtoclosethe

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achievementgapamongallthesedifferent,amongallthediversitiesthatareinthestudentintheLMSVSD.DC:Thankyou.Pleasedescribeyourexperienceworkinginadecision-makingbodyorgroup.Describeatimethatyouhadtoreachanagreementonacontentiousissue.Howdidyoureachconsensus?RB:IamapartofthecommunicationsteamatFoothillsChurch,andthecommunicationsteamisaboardofeightpeople,andwehandleallcommunications,whichincludesmarketing,promotions,andbranding.Recently,oneofourmembersbroughtuppossiblychangingthelogo,andthatisnotasmallfeatatall.Infact,itcantakeoverayear.Itrequireseveryonetobeveryinvolved.So,ourboardwassplitalmostdownthemiddleonwhetherweshouldchangethelogoornot.AndourChairwasactuallyabsentatthelastfewsessionswhereweweretalkingaboutthis,andIfacilitatedsomeconversationabouttheprosandconsofchangingthelogoornotchangingthelogo.AndthroughtheconversationthatIwasabletoleadmyfellowteammembersinto,wewereabletocometoafullagreement,afullunanimousagreement,nottochangethelogo,asitwouldnotbeinourbestinterestyet.DC:Thankyou.JL:Hi.Allright.ServiceonourBoardrequiresasignificantamountoftimeformeetings,studyingissuesandotheractivities.HowmuchtimedoyouanticipateyouwillhavetodevotetotheBoard?RB:Asmuchasittakes.OneofthethingsthatIammostexcitedaboutisvisitingtheschoolsites,andmeetingthestaff,andseeingthestudentsinaction,andwhatthey’relearninginourDistrict.Iamanexperientiallearner,soIcanreadsomethingonapieceofpaperanditwillstayinmymind,andIcanrecallit.ButwhenI-ifIweretogotothisschool,andseeinactionwhatIsawonpaper,itwouldstickinmymind.Andthat’swhen,atthatpoint,it’slikeafullcomprehensiveunderstanding.Sotospeak,Iknowthatwouldrequiretime.Also,asanewmemberoftheBoard,Iwouldhavetostudyalotoftheagendaitemsbeforeeachmeeting,soastohaveacomprehensiveknowledgeandbeabletosuccessfullyserveourcommunityattheBoardmeetings.SoIwouldtakeallthetimeintheworld,ifnecessary,todedicatetotheBoard.JL:Thankyou.BD:Rebekah,ifselectedasaBoardmember,howwouldyouseeyourrolewhenassignedasarepresentativeontheDistrictcommittees?Wehavethem,suchastheBoys&GirlsClub,theDistrictAdvisory,Superintendent’s20/20Vision,ChildNutritionCommittee,oraBudgetCommittee.Whatdoyouseeyourrole?RB:AsaBoardmemberonthecommittee,IwouldsaythatnotonlywouldIbearepresentativeoftheBoardtothecommittee,butIwouldalsobearepresentativeofthecommitteetotheBoard.Iwould,asaBoardmember,gotoandbeingapartofthiscommittee,wouldhaveawiderviewoftheDistrictthanthecommitteemostlikelywould.AndIwouldbeabletoofferexperienceandinputandadvicetothecommittee.Butalso,IwouldbearepresentativeoftheBoardtothecommittee,I’msorry,asrepresentativeofthecommitteetotheBoard,IwouldbeabletobringbacktheconcernsofthecommitteetotheBoard,andbringbackanyinformationthatIfeelmightbenecessarytoourBoardmeetings,ortootherBoardmembers,ifitpertainstocommitteesthatyouareon,oranythingfortheDistrictingeneral.ET:Okay.NowpleasediscussyourunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweentherolesoftheSuperintendent,theCabinet,andtheBoard.

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RB:TheSuperintendent,Mr.Marshall,istheCEOoftheschooldistrict.AndheimplementsthevisionoftheBoard,andactsonthedecisionsmadebytheBoard.TheCabinetareourAssistantSuperintendents,andyouallaresubjectmatterexpertsineachindividualfield:PersonnelorH/R,Business,andLearningSupport.YoualsoarethehandsandfeetoftheSuperintendent,sotospeak,sowhensomethingneedstobedone,youaretheonestoworkoutthedetailsinourschools.AndtheBoardofcourseistheonewhointeractswiththepublic,andtakesintheconcernsofthepublic,andthenusesthoseconcernstomakethebestdecisionspossiblefortheDistrict.DC:Thankyou.Ifmajorfundingreductionsweretooccur,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeprioritiesforprogramsorservicestoretain?RB:You’regoingtomakemecryagain.Wow,thatisabigquestion.LikeMs.SardinasaidattheBoardmeetingonTuesday,ourpersonnel,asshequoted,areourmostvaluableasset,andpersonnelwouldbetheveryfirstprioritythatIwouldwanttoretain.TheyarenecessarytogivingourstudentsthehighestservicepossiblesoastoensurestudentsuccessinourDistrict.Buttheyalso–ourpersonel,whichincludesourteachers,supportstaff,everyone-theyhavethetechnicalknowledgeofhowtoobtaintheDistrictgoals,andIwouldwanttoretainthecoreemployeesnecessaryforthestudenttoteacherratio,ofcourse,whichincludessupportstaff.ThesecondprioritythatIwouldwanttomaintainwouldbeourspecialacademies.TheSTEAMAcademyandtheInternationalBaccalaureateProgramatSpringValleyandourLaMesaArtsAcademyareallextremelyimpressive,I’msorry,impressive,andtheybringrecognitiontotheDistrict.ButtheyalsobringadditionalADAbecausetheyattractmorestudentstoourDistrict,andI’mfairlycertainthere’sawaitinglistforatleastoneofthoseacademies.ThethirditemthatIwouldwanttoretainanddoeverythingIcouldtoretain.AsImentionedinmystoryearlier,IusedtotakecareofalittlegirlwithDownsSyndrome,sospecialneedsprogramsareveryimportanttome.AndIwouldwanttomaintainthehighestlevelofservicestospecialneedschildrenasispossiblewithinthebudgetrevisions.DC:Thankyou.JL:Backtome.Thisappointmentisforapproximately18months.DoyouplantorunforelectioninNovember2018andifso,whatisyourcommitmenttothatcampaign?RB:Absolutely.Andappointmentornot,Istillplantorun.TheschoolBoardissomethingthatIknowIampassionateabout,andthatIknowisimportanttonotjustourDistrict,buttoourcommunityasawhole,andeventoourentirestate.AndIknowthatrunninginanelectionisnotaneasything,andittakesalotoftime,money,andcollaboration.AndIfullyplanonrunningandgatheringacoalitionofmyfriends,andmyallies,andmymentors,andtheirfriends,andfindingallthesupportthatIpossiblycouldtohelpmerunthebestcampaignpossible.JL:Thankyou.BD:Foryourfinalquestion–whatdoyouseeasthebiggestchallengesfacingLMSVSDandhowwouldyoubegintoaddressthesechallenges?RB:Ofcourse,oneofthemajorchallengesarethebudgetcutsandwhenwearesoreliantonfundingfromthestate,itisimportantthatwefindadditionalrevenueelsewhere.AndIbelievethattheschooldistrictisdoingthatalready.LikeImentionedearlier,throughourAcademiesweattractadditionalADA,andthatisoneofthewaysthatIwouldaddressthatchallenge.AnotherchallengethatIwouldwanttoaddressistheinfluxofchildrenfromdifferentnationalities,especiallytherefugeeswhoarecomingin.

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Theircultureisverydifferentfromours,andsoespeciallyasthey...IhadtheprivilegetositinonthepanelwiththepresidentoftheGrossmontCollege,andhementionedthatthereasonwhyalotofpeoplefromSyriaandtheotherrefugeesflocktocertainareasisbecausetheyhavefamilytheiralready.AsWesterners,wedon’tnecessarilythinklikethat.We’recomfortablemovingtoandfro,whereverwewant.Andhowever,theserefugeshavethemindsetthattheywanttobenearpeopletheyknow,inalandtheydon’tknow.AndIwouldwanttoaddresstheinfluxofrefugeesbytrainingourteachersandcreatingnotjustcommittees,butprogramstohelpteachersunderstandhowtobestreachthesechildren,becausewewanttoreacheverychildtothebestofourabilitytoensuretheirsuccess.BD:Thankyou.ET:Thankyousomuchforthequestions.Wehaveonemoretaskbeforeweletyougo,andthatisyourclosingstatement,anditis--BM:Twominutes.ET:Twominutes.We’rereadywhenyouare.RB:Wellagain,thankyouforhavingmehere.IjustwantedtosaythatImentionedearlierthatIamyoung,butIalwaysvaluetheopportunitytogainwisdom,soitwouldbeanhonortoworkwitheachofyou,andtoseetheexperiencethatyoualreadyhave,andtogainwisdomfromyoutoensurethesuccessofourDistrict.IwasbornandraisedinLaMesa,soIhaveaverystrongfondnessandaheartforLaMesa.Itismycommunity.ItismyhomeandI’mexcitedtoeventuallyraisemyownchildrenhereinLaMesaandintheLaMesaSchoolDistrict.Sothankyouforeverythingthatyouguysdo,andyouareveryappreciated,andIhopethatseethatIwillbringalotofuniquequalitiestotheschoolboard.ET:Thankyouverymuch.RB:Thankyou.ET:Areyougoingtostaywithus?RB:I’mgoingtowalkout,ifthat’sokay.BM:That’sfine.JL:Absolutely.ET:Doyouguysneedaminute,orareyoudonelookingthroughyournotes?BM:Guido’sgottogogetPaul.ET:SoMr.Museisnotbackthere?BM:Mr.Museisnotwithus.IdidspeaktohimyesterdayinSanFrancisco,ashewaswaitingforhisflighttoSeattleandhesaid,“I’mnotmakingit.”GENERALCONVERSATIONET:Mr.Schnaubelt,welcome.

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PaulSchnaubelt(PS).Hi.Thankyou.Thankyouforgivingmethisopportunity.Ihopethatdidn’tstartmythreeminutes.BM:Itdidnot.(Laughter)ET:We’regoingtostartwithyouropeningstatement.PS:Okay.ET:So,we’rereadywhenyouare.PS:Okay.BM:What’veyougot?PS:Youhaveadifficultchoiceinfrontofyou.Asyouconsiderme,IbelieveyoumightworrythatbecauseIhaverecentlylefttheassociation,whatwediscussinourcloseddoorsessionswillgorighttothelaborgroups.Myanswertothatisthatwillnotoccur.Ihavebeenretiredforoverayear,andIhavespentalotoftimedevelopinganewperspective,I’vemetwiththelaborgroupsandtoldthemthatIwillrepresenttheBoardandonlytheBoard.Andifyouknowanythingaboutme,ifIsayIwilldoit,Iwilldoit.Andthatismysolemnoathtoyou.Ifselected,Iwillserveyouandnooneelse.Butdon’ttiestoorganizedlabornegatethefactthatI’maregisteredRepublican?No.WetendtoforgetRonaldReaganledhislaborgroup,useditasasteppingstonetobecomeapolitician.Andthen,whenhehadtoreleasealltheairtrafficcontrollers,hediditwithouthesitation.I’mnottheGipper.Butlikehim,I’vedemonstratedmyinternalfortitudetodowhatisnecessaryinthemoment,regardlessofpastconnectionsorconsequences.Inconsideringme,youwillhavetomakeadecisionbasedupontwocriteria.Mybodyofworkorthegossipandinnuendothataffectseveryone’sreputation.Iamcertainyouhaveheardthegossipandinnuendo.IsincerelyhopethattheschoolBoardwillconsidermybodyofwork,becauseregardlessofwhatanyonehassaidaboutme,anindividual’s(inaudible)behavior.Ibelievemyefforts,mybehavior,revealmetohaveapassionforthisDistrict.I’veconstantlyworkedforthebettermentoftheDistrict,eventhoughtheworkcreatedsometheverycommentsthatwilldriveyoutonotconsiderme.IbelieveIhavedemonstratedthiscommitmentwhencalmingmembershipaftertheObamafiasco.AsIremindedstaffofthegoodworkofschoolBoardmemberslikeMr.Duffhaddoneonbehalfofchildren,andthatweshouldnotjudgesomeonefortheirsingleworstday.In2008Iwentdoortodoor,classroomtoclassroom,convincingemployeestotakeapaycutsothisDistrictcouldsurvivethegreatrecession.Afterthat,Ididthesamethingforthepost-retirementbenefitssothisDistrictcouldhavealongtermsafefinancialpicture.Andmybeliefinqualityeducationandwillingnesstohelpnot-goodteachersoutthedooriswellknown.IbelievemyleadershipcanhelpthisDistrictgotothenextlevel.Iaskyoutoconsiderthatmystrongwillingnesstotakeastand,toholdunderpressure,istheveryqualitythisBoardcanuseaswemoveforwardwithprogramandpolicy,especiallywhenbudgetsdecline.Regardlessofanysingleincident,mypassionanddesireforthisDistrictisunchanged.Mytotaleffortsandleadershipfor25yearsdemonstratesthat.Youhaveanawesomedecisioninfrontofyou.IhopethatyouwillconsiderallofthethingsIhavedoneonbehalfoftheDistrict,myvision,myworkoncommittees,mypassion,andmybeliefinwhatthisDistrictcanbecome.IhopeyouselectmebecauseIsincerelywishtoserve.It’sprobablythefirsttimeI’veeverhitthreeminutes.(Laughter).

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ET:Okay,we’llmoveonnowtothequestions.AndI’llaskthefirstquestion.WhatdoyouknowabouttheLMSVSchoolstudents?PS:Well,Itaughtthoseschoolstudentsfor30years.So,Iknowthedemographics.Iknowthatweareaminority/majorityschool.IknowthatwehavechallengesinthisdistrictbecauseourstudentscomefromsomeofthewealthiestareasandsomeofthepoorestareasinSanDiegoCounty.WhatIalsoknowaboutthestudentsinthisdistrict,havingtaughtkindergarten,firstgrade,secondgrade,thirdgrade,homeeducation,fifthgrade,sixthgrade,seventhgrade,andeighthgrade,isthateverychildcomestodotheirbestwork.Andtheywanttolearn.Itrulybelievethat.AndIbelievethatit’sourresponsibilitytoteachthosechildrenattheirleveltohelpthemtolearn.AsaschoolBoard,wereallycan’tgetdowninthemuck,ourjobisreallyaboutvision,andalsoaboutdecision.Butmakingchoicethatwillbenefitthosechildren,that’sourpublictrust,rightthere.AndwhatIknowaboutthesechildrenistheywanttolearn,andwe’vegottohelpthemtodothat.ET:Nextquestion.DC:Describeyourexperienceworkinginadecision-makingbodyorgroup.Describeatimeyouhadtoreachanagreementonacontentiousissue.Howdidyoureachconsensus?PS:Okay,so.Group.Contentiousissue.Arrivingatconsensus?Okay,wellI’vebeeninsomanycommitteesandsomanygroups,andoftentimesthere’scontention.Probablynegotiationsisoneofthetoughestones.Whenyouhaveaproblem,oryourunupagainstadifficulty,andyouhavetoachieveadecision.Sohere’swhatIwouldsay,thefirstskillyouhavetohaveisyouhavetobeabletolisten.Andyouhavetobeabletolistentounderstand,notjusttorespond.Afterthatlistening,asyoubegintoclarifywherethepersonis,youhavetobegintothinkaboutwhereyourcommoninterestslie.Andwhenyoucandiscoverthosecommoninterests,andyoucangetpeopletostarttoarticulatethem,thebestthingyoucandoisputthemuponthewall,anduponpaper.Becauseittakesitawayfromthepersonandputsitinanobjectivemanor.Onceyouhavethatuponthewall,youcanbegintodiscusswherethoseinterestsmeetandbegintofindcommonground,andoftenyoucanfindaplacewhereeverybodycanagreeandcometoafinaldecision.SoifIweregoingtotalkaboutaspecific,oneofthespecificsmightbeinthe20/20Committee,becausewespentalotoftimeworkingonalogo,andthenwewerecalledinandsaidthislogowasn’tgoingtowork,we’regoingtoneedsomethingnew.Andforawhilethatwaskindoftough,becausewedidn’twanttogiveuponthat.ButaswebegantolookattheDistrict,andwebegantolookatwhatwereallystandfor,itbegantoemergeinthegroupamongstusthattherewasaconsensus,thatwehadtomoveforwardwithsomethingnew.Thatparticularcase,Iwastaskedtogospeaktosomeindividualswhowerenotintheroomforthatdecision,tomakesuretheywouldnotcomeintothedecisioncold,andunderstandwhatwewerechanging.So,Ihopethat’sbothbroadenoughandspecificenoughtoansweryourquestion.DC:Thankyou.JL:Mr.Schnaubelt.PS:Hi.JL:Okay.ServiceontheBoardrequiresasignificantamountoftimeformeetings,studyingissues,andotheractivities.HowmuchtimedoyouanticipateyouwillhavetodevotetotheBoard?PS:Well,I’mretired,andI’mayearretired.Andactuallymywife’sdisabled,sofifteenyearsagowestartedtravelling,becausewecouldn’twaitforretirement.So,Idon’thavethebugthatalotofpeople

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have.Sowhenyouaskmefortime,Icangivewhatevertimeisrequired.Soifyouneedmeattheschools,Icango.Ifyouneedmeinthecommunity,I’mhappytoacceptthatrole.Andoverthecourseofmycareer,Idon’tbelievethere’severbeenatimewhensomeonehascalledmeandIhaven’tbeenwillingtostandupandprovidewhatevertimeisnecessary.Evenforinstance,typingup73pagesofinformationonlisteningsessionsfor20/20.Whateverthetaskis,Ipromisetorisetotheoccasion.Whatevertimeisnecessary,I’lldevoteit.JL:Thankyou.BD:Paul,ifselectedasaBoardmember,howdoyouseeyourrolewhenassignedasarepresentativeontheDistrictcommittees,forexample,Boys&GirlsClub,DistrictAdvisory,Superintendent’s20/20VisionCommittee,ChildNutritionCommittee,ortheBudgetCommittee?PS:Well,I’veservedonalotofthosecommittees,nottheBoys&GirlsClub.So,itwillbeaninterestingchange,becauseeverycommitteeI’veeverbeenon,I’veenteredthatcommitteeknowingthatourjobwastorecommend,buttheBoarddecides.So,inthiscase,asaBoardmember,you’reintheroom,butyoucannotdecidebecauseyoustillhavetocomebackandgetconsensusontheBoardbeforeyoudecideanything.Soyou’remoreoftheconduitbetweenyourfellowBoardmembersandthatcommittee,butIbelievetheBoard’sresponsibilityistocarryoutthevision,andsoifthatcommitteeisnotmeetingthevision,you’dhavetohelpsteerthemintherightdirection.MostlikelyworkingthroughtheSuperintendent.Onothercommunitygroups,likeBoys&GirlsClubs,yourjobistobetheemissary,theambassador,soyou’retheretomakesurethateverybodyunderstandstheDistrict,thatifwehaveanyskininthegame–money,ortalent,ortime–thatwe’repayingattentiontothat,andthatwe’remakingsurethat’sbeingusedappropriately,andthatatthesametimewe’regeneratingthosepositivefeelingsthathelptomovetheDistrictforwardandmaintainwhatIbelieveisthatspecialsensethateverybodyhasaboutthisDistrictandthiscommunity.BD:Thankyou.ET:Okay,pleasediscussyourunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweentherolesoftheSuperintendent,theCabinet,andtheBoard.PS:Okay.So,theBoard,probablyoneofthemostimportantjobsthattheydoishiretheSuperintendent.That’stheirjob.Theysettheschoolcalendar.Theydeterminecompensation.TheyhavetheoverarchingguidanceoftheDistrict,andtheyshepherdandgoodcustodiansoftheresourcesoftheDistrict.Superintendent’sroleistocarryoutthevisionoftheBoard,ordevelopvisionontheirown,orwiththeBoard.AndyouhaveagoodSuperintendent,you’vealreadydonethefirstjobofhiringwell.SotheSuperintendent’sjobistoreallybethechiefmanagerofallofthedaytoday.AndtheCabinethandlesthevariousdepartments.So,Personnelismakingsurethatyouhavequalifiedemployees,they’remonitoringallofthelaws,they’remakingsurethatyou’reincompliance.TheBusinessServicesDepartmentismonitoringthebudget,projectingforwhattheneedswillbe,andalsotryingtomatchupifyou’retryingtogoacertaindirection,likewithyournew20/20schools,yournewfacilities,they’remakingsurethemoneyisinthepipeline,ornot.Andthey’remakingsurethatyou’reverymuchawareofthat.InstructionalDepartment,thelynchpin,isthegroupthatismakingsurethatallofthestudentsarelearning,they’rebeingmet,andthisInstructionalDepartmentismovingtowardsprofessionallearningcommunities,whichIbelieveisoneofthosethingsthatwillengageeverychild.SotheBoard’srolereallyisoversight.TheSuperintendent’sroleisreallymanagement.AndtheCabinet’sroleistoensurethatthevariousmasterfunctionsoftheDistrictarecarriedoutastheSuperintendentintends,astheBoardhasdirected.

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DC:Thankyou.Ifmajorfundingreductionsweretooccur,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeprioritiesforprogramsorservicestoretain?PS:Toretain?That’snotthequestionyouusuallyask.Well,Ithinkthatwheneveryouhavebudgetreductions,thefirstthingyouhavetolookatistheinstructionalprogram.So,whatyouwanttoretainis,youwanttoretainthecorepiecesoftheinstructionalprogram.Youhavetodothat.ButtheotherthingwearedoinginthisDistrict,whichIthinkisexcitingandwillmakeustheexemplarinthenation,istheworkwiththe20/20schools.Soyouhavetokeepthoseuniqueprogramsgoing.Andinfact,youmightevenhavetobuildthem.Becauseyoucanwaitforthestatetogiveyoumoremoneyoryoucanbuildyoustudentpopulationthroughthoseprograms.So,Iwouldwanttoretainthevisionaryschools,Iwouldwanttoretainthemovementtowardtheprofessionallearningcommunities,becausethatisrelativelylowcost,andimprovesinstructionregardlessofclasssize.Iwouldalsowanttomakesurethat,andthisisuniquefromaneducatorIbelieve,butIwouldalsowanttomakesurewekeepourfacilitiesandmaintenancedepartmentadequatelystaffed.Becausethat’samistakeIthinksomeorganizationsdo,andittakesthemforevertocatchup.AndIthinkthatthosewouldprobablybemythreeprioritiesforretention.DC:Thankyou.JL:So,thisappointmentisfor18months.PS:Yes.JL:Roughly.DoyouplantorunforelectioninNovember2018andifso,whatisyourcommitmenttothatcampaign?PS:Well,letmeanswerthatthisway.I’vehadayearoff.I’mreadytoserve.Soifthere’sacommittee,ifthere’ssomethingthisDistrictisdoing.Ifyouevenneedmetotypeupallthedatafromanotherlisteningsession,I’mreadytoserve.I’vealwaysintendedtorunfortheschoolBoard.I’vemadethatknown.Frommyfirstdayonthejob,thatwasalwaysmygoal,wastoeventuallyascendtotheschoolBoard.So,yes,Iintendtorunin2018.I’vealreadyputtogethersomeofthepiecesofthatpuzzleinordertorun.SoI’mgoingtorun,butifyouneedmyservicenow,evenifnotselected,IwantyoutoknowI’mavailable.It’snotaboutthiselection.MybeliefisinthisDistrict,andregardlessofwhattheBoarddecidestonight,Iwillserve.JL:Thankyou.BD:Yourlastquestion,Paul.WhatdoyouseeasthemajorchallengesfacingLMSVSDandhowwouldyoubegintoaddressthesechallenges?PS:Justone,Bob?Ihavemultiple.Well,Ithinkhonestly,oneofthemajorproblemsweprobablyhaveistheinfluxofsecondlanguagestudentsalongwiththegrowinglevelofpoverty.So,withthestudents,beingaformerELteacher,andIwasverysuccessful,Iknowthatyoucanreachthesekidswithacertaintypeofprogram.SoIbelievewehavetogomeetthosechildrenandhelpthemtobecomefullyintegratedintooursocietytobecomeproductivecitizens.Ialsobelievethattheeffectsofpoverty,weneedtogoin,andwecan’tacceptanyexcuses,wecan’tsaythat,“Well,thischildcan’tdothisbecausehisparentisn’taround”,orthis.Wehavetomeetthischildandmeetthoseneeds.Wehavetomakethatwork.Period.SoIbelievethat’sit.ButIthinkyouhaveseveralotherissues.Youhaveacharterschoolonthefringesthat’snotaverygoodplayer.Youhaveaneedforfacilities.Youreallydoneedtorebuildsomefacilitiesasyoubuildthesenewschools.I’monaboardrecommendationonthewalloverthereformyworkontwobond

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campaigns,IcanhelptheBoardwiththat.SoIthinkyouhaveseveralaspects.Youhaveacertificatedstaffthat’sgoingtoretire.Howcanyouattractandretainqualityemployees?Itwasreallyencouragingtosee872applications.Thatwasveryencouraging.So,youmustbedoingsomethingright.Soyouknow,it’shardtolimitittoone,Bob,butIwouldsayprobablythatwouldbeit–ELandtheeffectsofpoverty.ET:Thankyouforallyourresponses.You’redonewiththeindividualquestionsnow,andthelastthingforyoutodohereistogiveusaclosingstatement.Twominutes.PS:Okay.So,I’maknownplayer.Ididn’tfeelIneededtocomehereandgothroughmyCurriculumVitaeoranythinglikethat.You’rereallygoingtomakeadecisionbaseduponmybodyofworkormycharacter.AndI’mcertainthatyou’veheardlotsofthingsaboutmycharacter.NowrecentlyI’veheardthatpeopleareconcernedbecauseIseemtohavechanged?Well,IwantyoutoknowthatthreeyearsagoIrealizedthatByronLindsaynolongerhadarelationshipwiththeSuperintendent,becausehehadplayedbadcopforyears.Soweflippedtheswitch.Istartedplayingbadcop,hestartedplayinggoodcop.I’mnotsureanybodyfiguredthatout.ButheandMr.Marshallaretalkingnow,eventhoughMr.MarshallandIaren’t.Soifyou’relookingatmybehavioroverthelastcoupleofyears,Iwouldhopeyoudon’tlookattheroleIhadtoplay,butyouwouldlookatmybodyofwork,andyouwouldalsotakeameasureoftheman,becauseifonethingeverybodyknowsit’smyintegrity.AndIbelievethatineverythingI’vedoneinthisDistrict,I’veheldtheDistrictoutasmynumberoneconcernandmynumberonepassion.AndIknowMr.Longdoesn’tknowme,buthemightknowofme.ButMr.Long,yourchildren,Ibelieve,wenttoFletcher?Didyourchildrenengageinthehundredpagesaweekreadingprogram?JL:Mmmhmm.PS:Doyourememberyourkidscominghomeandtalkingaboutsomeonewhocouldreadabookupsidedown,sideways,andeverythingelse?JL:No.PS:Oh,wellthatwasme.ThatwasmyprogramdesignedtogeteverykidintheDistrictreading.Iwastheresourceteacherandatit’sheightwewereknockingdownaboutamillionpagesaweek.DowninSpringValley,Iwasreallyproudofthat,becauseatsomeschoolsinSpringValleywewereknockingdown400-500thousandpagesaweek.SoI’mnotonlyknownasalaborleader,IwouldhopeI’mknownasaleader,athoughtfulperson,asacreativethinker,aproblemsolver.Andalsoashavingmypulseoneducation.Sothankyouforthistime.ET:Thankyou.You’regoingtogogetthenextperson?BM:Yes.ET:IjustwantedtheBoardmembersto–Jim–Ijustwanttosaytoyouguys,thatiftheystartengaginguse,talkingtous,don’trespond.Becausewehavetokeepeverythingthesameforall,okay?BD:Ican’thearyou.ET:I’msorry.I’mjustsayingifthecandidatesstarttalkingtous,nottorespond.Becauseyouwanttokeepeverythingthesameforall.DC:Can’taskanyfollowonquestions?

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ET:Right.Nofollowon.Noclarification.Nothinglikethat.JL:Gotit.DC:I’mgoingtograbalittlesomething.BD:Nofollowups.BD:I’vebeenthroughthismanytimes.ET:Iknowyouknow.It’smyjobtoremindyou.GENERALDISCUSSIONET:Welcome,Mr.Steiger.Pleasehaveaseatandmakeyourselfcomfortable.Wewillbeginourprocesswithathreeminuteopeningstatementbyyou.Andwheneveryou’reready.JaySteiger(JS):Thankyou.Goodafternoon,mynameisJaySteiger.IwouldliketothanktheBoardmembersfortheopportunitytopresentmyqualificationsandIliketoalsoextendmythankstoallofmyfellowapplicants.We’reamicrocosmofAmerica.Twenty-oneschoolsformingonedistrict.LMSVencompassesabroadgeographicregionandourstudentsrepresentadiversityofexperiences,groupsandbackgrounds.Butwesharemoreincommonthanwe’lleverhaveindifferences.Formyself,IhavebeenrichlyblessedwiththeopportunitiestoservenotonlythechildrenandcommunitiesofthisDistrict,butalsotoendlesslylearnfromthem.Iamgratefulformyexperiencesandtheknowledge,skills,andpersonaltemperamentthattheyhavefostered.Iamhumbledbythewordsofthosewhohavevoicedtheirsupportformyapplication.WhileIamprofoundlyappreciative,thisdoesnotgeneratepride,butratherasobercommitmenttobeworthyoftheirconfidenceinme.TheBoardisnotapositionofpower,butratheroneofresponsibility.Aresponsibilitytothecommunity,totheemployees,andmostimportantlytothechildren.Itisbothleadershipandpartnership.WhileIhavefaiththattheknowledgeIhavegainedinmypersonalcharacterprovideastrongfoundationforthisposition,Iamveryawarethatrespectfulhumilityisasimportantaspolicyknowledgeandgovernance.Whileparentstodayhavemorechoicesthaneverbefore,thepublicschoolsystemremainsthesinglemosteffectivemethodofensuringallchildreninsocietyarewelleducatedandhaveopportunityforsuccessinlife.WinstonChurchillsaid,“Wemakealivingbywhatweget,butwemakealifebywhatwegive.”Again,IthanktheBoard,andIlookforwardtoyourquestions.ET:Okay,thenextpartoftheinterviewwillbequestions.I’llaskyouthefirstquestion.WhatdoyouknowabouttheLMSVSchoolstudents?JS:Well,weareahugedistrict,geographically,Ihavetosaythat.Butwe’reaverydiversedistrict.WerunfromtheborderofSanteeallthewaydowntosouthSpringValleyandLaPresaarea.WerunfromaboveRolandoarea,westof70thStreet,allthewaytopartofRanchoSanDiegoasitbordersElCajon.AndwithinthatveryrichtapestrywehaveagreatvarietywhichiswhyIreferencethatwe’reamicrocosmofAmerica,becauseyoucouldbeinmilliondollarplushomesinMt.Helix,anddriveamileandyoucouldbelookingatSection8housing.Sothereisagreatvariancewithinourdistrict.Themajorityofourstudentsareminority–Latino–followedbywhite,thenAfricanAmericanandAsian.Sowehaveamix.Andwithinthatmix,there’sa,asIreferenced,greatvarietyofsocioeconomicandalsoeducationalbackground,butthereisagreatdealofprideineducationinthiscommunity,andsupportforeducation,andtheopportunitiesitprovides.Andourstudents,aswithkids,ifyougivethemtheopportunity,they’lllearn.Becausethey’reprimedforit.AndthatisoneofthegreatestthingsaboutthisDistrict,isthose

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opportunities.Itdoesaffordthosechildrentoallowthem,nomatterwhethertheylivedowninmodestmeansinLaPresa,orinFletcherHills,oronMt.Helix.Theycansucceedbecausewegivethemtheopportunities.JL:Thankyou.DC:Describeyourexperienceworkinginadecision-makingbodyorgroup.Describeatimeyouhadtoreachanagreementonacontentiousissue.Howdidyoureachconsensus?JS:Withalotofdialogueanddiscussion.Andalotofpatience.I’llreferencebacktothebudgetstudycommitteethatIwashonoredtoserveonasaparentrepresentativeforthisdistrictduringtheworstoftherecession.Itwas,toputitcharitably,anunpleasanttime.IusedtojokewiththePTAwhenI’dgivemylittlestatusreportthatthesuperintendentforbusinesswouldbringchocolatetoourmeetings,andthebetterthequalityofthechocolate,theworsetheeconomicnewsweweregoingtohear.Unfortunately,wehadalotofreallyhighqualitychocolateduringthattime.Andtherewasalotofbackandforth.Teacherswereconcernedbecausetheirjobswereatstake,aswereclassifiedstaff.Administrativerepresentativesweretryingtodowhattheycouldtosmooththewatersandkeepthingsworkingforward.Andwetheparentswerewantingtomakesurethatthisbody,thisschoolsystem,continuedtooffertherichestandmostdynamiceducationalopportunitiespossible.Therewerecutstoprogramsthatweheldinhighregard:sixthgradecamp,giftedandtalentededucation,artseducation.Itwasnoteasytorenderthoseadvisory–andIdowanttoqualify,thosewereadvisoryvotes,onlybecauseitwasthepurviewoftheBoardtomakethefinaldecisions.Theywerechallenging,verydifficultdecisions.Howwediditiswerespectedeachother.Wetalked.Welistened.Itwasn’talwayspretty.Sometimesvoicesgotraised.Sometimesargumentshappened.Butthenwe’dtakeabreath,we’dsettledown,andwhatIwasparticularlyimpressedbywashowtherewasarotatingleadershipwiththerepresentativesfromCabinet,whenthingsgotalittleheatedwithoneperson,maybeonepersonwouldstepin,calmthingsdown,getusbackontrackandkeepdiscussing.Itwasrespect,andcontinuingtotalk,andnotjustwalkingawaythatallowedusfinallyreachthedecisionsthatneededtobedonetoadvisetheBoardonmovingforward.DC:Thankyou.JL:ServiceontheBoardrequiresasignificantamountoftimeformeetings,studyingissues,andotheractivities.HowmuchtimedoyouanticipateyouwillhavetodevotetotheBoard?JS:IhavebeenavolunteerwiththisDistrict–it’sbeenmyhonortodoso–sincemychildrenwereinkindergarten,andIabsolutelyunderstandthetimecommitment,andtherealworldneverreallycooperateswiththattimecommitment,butyoumakethetime.Youfigurethingsout,youtalkwithyouremployer,youworkwithyourfriends,withyourfamily,tofindthattime,becauseitisaveryseriousresponsibilitythatyouhave.Itisnottobetakenlightly,andyouneedtoallocatethatpersonaltime.Anditmeansyoudon’tdocertainthings.Sometimesitmeansyoudon’tgettowatchyourprogramming,actuallyitoftenmeansyoudon’tgettowatchyourprograms.Itmeansyoudon’tgettotakeavacation.Butyoudoitbecausethat’sthe-youhaveagreedtotakethatmantleuponyourself,andthatisthesacrificethatyoumake.Iabsolutelypledgeandcommit,asIalwayshave,thatIwillallocatewhatevertimeisneededtoattendtothebusinessofthisDistrictandtheeducationofthechildren.BD:Jay,ifselectedasaBoardmember,howdoyouseeyourrolewhenassignedasarepresentativeontheDistrictcommitteessuchasBoys&GirlsClub,DistrictAdvisory,Superintendent’s20/20VisionCommittee,ChildNutritionCommittee,theBudgetCommittee?

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JS:TheroleoftheBoardmemberonthesubcommitteeistorepresenttheinterestsoftheDistrict,ofcourse,butalso,youlearnfromyourroleonthat.Becauseagain,youaretheretoserveandyoucangainmuchwisdomfromtheothersinthecommunitythatmayserveonthoseparticularcommittees,andsoitisnotsimplyaboutsaying,“IrepresenttheDistrictsohere’swhattheDistrict’sabout,andthisiswhatI’mgoingtodoonbehalfoftheDistrict.”It’ssaying,“Wehaveacommitmenttoupholdthestandardsforeducatingourchildren,sothat’swhereIstartfrom.Nowpleasetellmewhatyoubringtothetable.Andlet’stalkanddialogue,andmakesurethatDistrictinterestsareserved,andtheDistrictisnotputinapositionthatwouldcausehazardtoit,orimperilourabilitytoeducateourchildren,orplacesafinancialhazard.Butlearnfromthem,andbuildthosebridgesandthoseties,becausewe’reallacommunityandwemutuallysupporteachotherandlifteachotherupbyworkingtogether.Soitisonepieceoftheoverallpuzzlethatformsthoseparticularsubcommitteesandbemindfulofwhereyoustarted,butbeopentohearingwhattheothersbringandlearnfromthat.ET:Okay.PleasediscussyourunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweentherolesoftheSuperintendent,theCabinet,andtheBoard.JS:Verygood.TheSuperintendent,heistheCEOoftheDistrictinthesensethathehandlesthedaytodaybusiness,orthemonthtomonthbusinessofthedistrict,asfarasoperationsareconcerned.Makingsurethatifthereareconcernsfromaschoolthattheyareaddressed,thatkidsarelearning,thatschoolsareoperating,thatfacilitiesarerunning.AndthenworkingwithhislargerCabinet,eachofthoseCabinetmembershastheresponsibilitytotakeapieceofthatoverallresponsibility,becauseit’stoomuchforanyonepersontodealwith.SoLearningSupportassistswithcurriculum,itassistswiththenewapproachestorestorativejustice,toreachingout,tohelpingchildrenthatmightbeinneedofsocialworkintervention,workingwithteachers.HumanResourceshandlinghiringandbenefitsandquestionsfromtheemployeesabouthowsomethingmighthappen,orconcernsfromthem.AndFinance,makingsurethebudgetisaccountable,theauditsaregood.TheBoardistheelectedrepresentativeofthepeopletothenseethatallofthosethingsareworkingsmoothly,andveryimportantly,ensurethattaxpayerdollarsarebeingusedinawisemanner,butalsoaverytransparentmanner.Thatthetaxpayerscanhaveconfidencethatwhentheypaytheirtaxesthatthosetaxesareeducatingthechildren,thattheyaregoingtogoodusetobenefitourcommunityandoursociety.TheBoarddoesnotengageindirectdaytodayoperationsoftheDistrict.ThatisthepurviewoftheSuperintendent,buttheBoardhasaverygreatresponsibilitybecauseofthatrepresentativenaturetoensurethatourcommunityatlargehasconfidenceintheoveralloperationsofthisDistrict,andshouldtheyhaveconcerns,toraisethoseandensuretheyarebeingaddressedandresolved.DC:Jay,ifmajorfundingreductionsweretooccur,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeprioritiesforprogramsorservicestoretain?JS:Well,wemustensureofcourse,firstandforemost,thatourclassroomsareoperational,teachingourchildren.ThatiswhattheDistrictisherefor–istoeducatethechildren.Andso,whenwelookatbalancingbudgets,whenwelookatmakingsurethatwehavethefunding,thatfunding,firstandforemost,goestoensuringthatthereareteachersintheclassroomseducatingourchildren.SothatisourhighestpriorityasaDistrict.Atthesametime,youneedstafftoensurethatcertainthingsgetdoneattheschools.AndthatincludesbothstaffattheDistrictlevelandatthesitelevel.It’severybodyfromtheSuperintendentondowntoacustodian.Theyallhaveverycrucialroles.Soeventhoughtheymaybethepeoplebehindthescenes,thatdon’tgettheglorythatateachercanhave,andthewondersofaclassroom,theirroleiscrucialandthatrolemustbeprotected.Itmightbereducedandduringtherecessionwesawthoserolessometimesreduced,butitisstillanabsolutepriority.Andthefinalistoensuresafetyatourschools.Andthatisnotsimplytoensurethingslikegatesandtheongoingconcerns

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ofourmodernworld,butthebasics,makesureapieceoftheroofdoesn’tfalldownandhitakidonthehead.Thatiscrucialthatthebasicinfrastructure-maybeyoudon’tgettodosomethingfancy,maybeyoudon’tgettorepaintandmakeitlookpretty,buttheemphasisonprotectingourchildrenasthey’rethereatschool,andourstaff,becauseweownthemprotectionandrespect,thatiscrucialaswell.JL:Thisappointmentisfor18months.DoyouplantorunforelectioninNovember2018?Ifso,whatisyourcommitmenttothatcampaign?JS:Yes.Andmycommitmentistoagain,alwaysplacethebestinterestsoftheDistrictandthechildrenwhichitservesasthepriority.Itis–educationisnotapoliticalfootball,it’saboutservingthekids.Andthat’sfirstandforemost,whereitstartsandwhereitends.Becauseaslongasyouarecommittedtoensuringanongoingqualityeducationalprogram,andallofthethingsthatmakethatup,includingstaffandcurriculum,etc.thenyou’redoingtherightthing.You’redoinggoodwork.Thesecondpieceis,it’salwaysbeenacommitmentofmine.People,whentheirkidscomeoutofschool,orperhapstheydon’thavekids,there’sadistancethatcanoccurbetweenanaveragecitizen,andtheroleofeducationinoursociety.AndI’maverystrongbeliever,again,inbuildingthosebridgesout,toretirees,tochildlesspeoplethataretaxpayersinourcommunity,tobusinessowners,andsayingthisisthecoreandkeyvalueofarobustanddynamicschoolsystem,becauseitdoesn’tjustliftupourchildren,itliftsusallup,itenrichesallofourcommunities,anditbuildsourbusinessesaswell,becauseyouhavefutureworkers,andyoualsohaveparentthatwanttomovetothecommunityandspendtheirdollars.Itisawin-winacrosstheboardandIabsolutelycommitmyselftocontinuingtoworktobuildthosebridges,andreinforcetheabsolutepositivesofoureducationalsystem.JL:Thankyou.BD:Okay,Jay,thisisyourlastquestion.So,whatdoyouseeasthemajorchallengesfacingLMSVschoolsandhowwouldyoubegintoaddressthesechallenges?JS:Unfortunately,italwayscomesbacktomoney,iswhereitseemstohappen.Iamvery,veryrelievedandpleasedthatoverthelastfewyearsthestatebudgethasstabilizedandfundinghasimprovedtothedistrictsandstaffinghasimproved,curriculum,etc.,technology,allofthat’sgottenbetter.Butwestillfaceongoingissueswiththat.Wesawiteventhoughthefinalstatebudgetthisyearwaspositive,itwasbetterthanwhatwasforecastinJanuary,anditgivesthisDistrictasolidfoundationtoworkwithnextyear.Therewerediscussionsthatwentonduringthatthatweredisconcerting.Atthefederallevel,wehavesomeconcernsattheDepartmentofEducationfundingthatwouldimpactthisDistrict.Buttheideaofthegovernorinthefuturepotentiallyusingdeferralsagain,that’sagraveconcerntome.So,Iamcommittedfirstandforemosttoensuringthatweadvocateforourchildren,topreserveastrongandrobustandbalancedbudget.I’mabudgetconservative,that’sthewayIam.Youcan’tspenditifyoudon’thaveit.Butweneedtomakesurewehaveit,sowecaneducatethosekids,andwecanbeadvocatesonbehalfofourchildrenandourcommunityforthat.And,thenwiththat,ensuringthatthemoneyisspentwell.That,that,we’redoingwonderfulthingsinthisDistrictandensurethatthatcontinues,thatwestaffproperly,thatweimprovethebestteachersthatwehave,andbuildourtechnologyforward,lookatourinfrastructureandjustcontinuetobealeaderineducation,notjustineastcounty,butinSanDiegoandinCaliforniaasawhole.Butwehavetohavethemoneytodoit.So,oncewesolidifythemoney,oncewealwaysensurethatthetaxpayerswe’reaccountable,thenthemagiccontinues,andallofourchildrencontinuetohavethewonderfuleducation.ET:Okay,thankyouforansweringthequestions,yourresponses.Wearenowattheend.Beforeweclose,giveyoutwominutestogiveusaclosingstatement.

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JS:Thankyouverymuch.Thankyouall,again.Iamheretoserve.NeitherthisappointmentnorthisDistrictisaboutme,butasacandidatefortheBoardIdohavetheexperiences,knowledge,skills,andagoodtemperament.Firstandforemost,I’mdedicatedtothecauseoftheeducationofourchildren.Thisdistrictprovidesthateducationsomycommitmentistoupholdingthehigheststandardsofclassroomlearningandtoalwaysacceptthechallengeforimprovementsandenhancementstoourprogramsandcurriculum.OurteachersandstaffdotheworkattheschoolsandtheDistrictoffice.Withoutthem,therewouldbenoLMSVschoolsandnoeducationofourchildren.Ourhumanresourceisapreciousone.Therecanbedisagreements,andthat’sokay,butweworktogethertofindacommonpathandcommongroundandit’smypledgetoserveinthatcapacity.Whilenotasexcitingasthecherishedstoriesofteachingourstudents,financeisverymuchapartofthefoundationuponwhichthesuccessofourDistrictisbuilt.Iamaconservativewithbudgeting,andit’sessentialthattheongoingfiscalresponsibilityofLMSVschoolscontinue.Wecanabsolutelyembraceadynamic,enrichingandrelevantcurriculum,andsupportourteachersandstaffwhilerunningabalancedandaccountablebudget.Andfinally,IfullyappreciatetheroleofaBoardmemberasarepresentativeofthepeople.Parents,businessownersandtaxpayershaveanexpectationofthoughtfuloversightanddecision-making.Sometimesthisdecision-makingmeanssayingnoanddisappointingsomeone.ButtheabilitytoindependentlyconsiderissuesandthenmakeadecisioninthebestinterestoftheeducationofourchildrenisatthecenteroftheBoardofTrusteesresponsibility,andhasmyfullpledgetouphold.ThisDistrictandourcommunityhaveweatheredtheworstoftherecenteconomiccrisisandwemoveforwardnow,optimisticwithcaution.Financialneedsremain,andoureducationalstructureandcurriculumisintransition.Thesearechallenges,butthisDistrictisuptothechallenge.TheodoreRooseveltaskedAmericanstodaregreatly.AndIpledgetodaregreatlyifI’mappointedtothisBoard.ItwouldbemyhonortoserveandsinceI’vesaidalotofseriousstuff,Iwantedtoendwithawhimsicalquotethatfliesbacktomyfiscalside–“aninvestmentinknowledgepaysthebestinterest”.AndthatcomesfromBenjaminFranklin.Thankyousomuchforyourtime.ET:Thankyou.Okay.Ournextcandidate?BM:Yep.Sykes.(Inaudible)ET:Ithinkifit’sokaywithyouguyswe’lltakealittlebreakafterthislastnextone.Heisthelast,isn’the?BM:No,there’sonemore.Mr.Sykes,andthen…ET:That’sright,wehavetwomoreleft.No,we’llwaituntilwedothetwo.Yep,Ithoughtitwasthelast.I’vegottocheckmynotes,I’malittleoff(laughter).(Inaudible)ET:Welcome,Mr.Sykes.Pleasesitandmakeyourselfcomfortable.Wewillbeginwiththethreeminuteopeningstatementfromyou,wheneveryou’reready.DwightSykes(DS):Ispeakintothat?Okay.Allright.Firstofall,IwanttothanktheLMSVSD,theBoard,theSuperintendentandthemanagementteamforthisopportunitytobeapartofthis.I’manactive,long-timeresidentofSpringValleyandafaithfulregisteredvoter.Ipridemyselftohavebeen,atleastoverthepastfewyears,thefirst,oronethefirst,tocastmyballotatmylocalprecinct.Myqualificationsforthispositionincludetwenty-fiveplusyearsintheeducationalfield,twentyyearsinthebusinessworld,and

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I’veservedoverfortyyearsinthenon-profitreligiousareasofthecommunityinvariouscapacities.I’magreatcommunicator,apersonwhoyoucancounton,andateamplayer.Iam,Ihaveworkedin,I’vebeeninvolvedfromkindergartenallthewaythroughpost-graduateworkandteaching,administratingandlearning.Iworkedfrombeingoneofthebestpart-timeschoolcustodiansduringcollege,totheprincipal-shipandfoundingadministratortooneofthefirstcharterschoolsestablishedonachurchcampusinCalifornia.IwasalsonamedSchoolFuturesResearchFoundationPrincipaloftheYearformyleadership,forguidingtheschool’sacademicsuccess,managingthebudgetthatwasintheblack,andhavingapositiveconnectionandrelationshipwiththecommunity.I’mapeoplepersonwithakeensenseofworkingwithbudgets,analyzingdatatomakeinformeddecisionsthatleadtopositiveoutcomes.I’veexperiencedworkingoncommunitynon-profitboards,leadingcommitteestogetthejobdone.I’mretired,I’vebeenretiredfortwoyearsasaneducator.I’mnowachurchpastor.I’mafamilyman,husbandofJackieSykes,thatwasmyhighschoolsweetheartforforty-fouryearsinSeptember,fatheroffouryoungadults,andfatherofelevengrandchildren.I’malsoarolemodelformanyyoungpeoplewhohavegrownuparoundmeandfamilyovertheyears.Theyrememberthefoundationsthatwerelaidtohelpthembecomethepeoplethattheyare.Inconclusion,Ibelievethatinordertomaketheschoolsystemevenstronger,everyonemustbeengagedinanongoing,effectivecommunicationstrategy.Goalsandpurposesalreadyhavebeenlaidout,asyoucanseeontheboard,butmustbeembracedandfollowedsothatallstakeholderscanadvanceandsucceedinagreatway.Ifeelhumbledandveryexcitedtoservethecommunityinthisnewcapacity,andIjustwanttothankyouforyourtimeandyourdedicationandyourinterestinthisprocess.ET:Okay,nowforthequestions.I’llaskyouthefirstquestion.WhatdoyouknowabouttheLMSVschoolstudents?DS:LMSVschoolstudents?Well,Ibelievethatthey’rethesamestudentsaswouldbeinanypartofthecity.Themakeuphoweveris50%Hispanicand30%white,10%AfricanAmerican,andthere’s10%others.Andso,Ithinkthatonehastolookatthedifferentneedsofthoseparticulargroupsaswell.Whenwearetryingtodevelopprogramsforthem,thefreeandreducedlunchisaround60%Ibelieve,sothatisanotherareathatonehastotakeinconsiderationwheneveraprogramisbroughtup.Butwereallyneedtoseewhataretheneedsofthosestudents,especiallytheELLstudents,becausethey’regiventhesametestingasanyotherstudent,butwewantthemtobeassuccessfulasanyotherstudent.DC:Describeyourexperienceworkinginadecision-makingbodyorgroup.Describeatimeyouhadtoreachanagreementonacontentiousissue.Howdidyoureachconsensus?DS:Well,Ithinkanytimeyouworkwithpeople,you’realwaysgoingtohaveproblems.You’regoingtohaveissues,thingsofthisnature,thatsomeoneisgoingtohavetomakedecisions.SoIreallyfeelthattalkingaboutwhatevertheissuemightbe,andbringingittothetable,andsoforth,iswhatneedstobedone.Rightnow,ofcourse,I’veworkedinthechurch,too.Andsowemeetonaregularbasistoseewhattheneedsareforthecongregation.Andatthatparticulartime,it’snotformetodo,buttheboardlooksatit,andlooksateverything-financesthatarecomingin,theneedsthatwehave,andthat’sthesamewaywithaschoolsystemaswell.DC:Thankyou.JL:ServiceontheBoardrequiresasignificantamountoftimeformeetings,studyingissues,andotheractivities.HowmuchtimedoyouanticipateyouwillhavetodevotetotheBoard?DS:I’llgiveasmuchtimeastheBoardneedstodothethingsthatneedtobedoneontheBoard.Iknowthatit’smorethanjustmeetings,because,therewillbeotherthingsthatonehastopreparefortocome

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upwithatalkingideaasrelatestomovingtothenextlevel.SoIknowthatitwillbemorethanlikeIsaid,justthemeetingsitself.Butitmeansbeingavailable,lookingatsomeofthethingsthatareattheschool.Ican,I’mabelieverinbeingonethat’shandson.SoIbelievethatevenaboardmembershouldgototheschoolsandactuallyseethechildrenandseetheeducationthat’sgoingoninsidetheclassrooms,andIthinkthemorewecantouchtheclassroom,touchthechildren,bewiththeadministrators,thebettertheschoolwillbe.JL:Thankyou.BD:ifselectedasaBoardmember,howdoyouseeyourrolewhenassignedasarepresentativeoftheDistrict’scommitteessuchastheBoys&GirlsClub,orDistrictAdvisory,orSuperintendent’s20/20Vision,ortheChildNutritionCommittee,ortheBudgetCommittee?DS:Well,oneofthethingsthatIthinkthatIwouldreallyliketobeonwouldbeinvolvedintheteachingandlearningaspectofit.Andpossiblyevenbewithinthemathematicsportion,andIcouldsee–orI’veread–thatourmathematicsisoneofthethingsthatwasachallengingarea,especiallyintheareaofthegroupcalledAfricanAmericanstudents.Thattheyhadgonedownasitrelatestothat,soIwouldreallylovetobeinthatareatotalkwiththestudents,totalkwiththeteachers,togivethemsomehandsonasitrelatestoteaching.Itaughtmathforseveralyears,allthewayupthroughUniversityofPhoenix,butmanyyearsinthemiddleschoolarea,andIwasverysuccessfuldoingthat.AndIfeelthateachoneofourteacherscanbeassuccessfulwiththestudentsbygoinginandtouchingthemandrelatingthesubjectsastheyneedto.ET:Okay,pleasediscussyourunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweentherolesoftheSuperintendent,theCabinet,andtheBoard.DS:Oh,Superintendent,okay.SuperintendentguidesandreallycomesoutwiththevisionandIthinkthatjustasthissays,wherethereisnovision,peopleperish,soIbelievethatthevisionisthere.TherecomesofcoursewiththeCabinet,theCabinet’sgoingtohavedifferentareasthey’regoingtoberesponsiblefor.Againaschooldistrictonemightberesponsibleforhealthandhumanservices,anothermaybeinvolvedinpersonnel,andsoforth.Anothermightbeinvolvedwiththepreschoolprogram,andsoforth.Sotheywillreportdirectlytothatsuperintendent.ButthenyouhavetheBoard.Ithinktheboardisthereforofcourse,checksandbalances.AndIbelievealso,too,tolistentothecommunityaswell,andbeasoundingboardforthecommunity.Totalkwiththem,togivethemapointwheretheycancomein,theycan’tcomeintothesuperintendent’soffice,theycancomeintotheboard,andtheycanexpresstheirinterestsortheirconcernsatthattime.DC:Ifmajorfundingreductionsweretooccur,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeprioritiesforprogramsorservicestoretain?DS:Toretain?Ithinkthetopformewouldbeofcourseretentionwhereitdoesnottouchchildren.So,Ithinktheteachingstaffwouldbedefinitelyahighpriorityforme,becausetheyteachthekids.Iwouldn’twanttoincreasetheclasssize,getridofsometeachers,andsoforth,andthenexpectthesameoutcomeforthekids.SoIthinkthatweneedtolookatthat,sothatwouldbeoneoftheareasIwouldwanttoretain.Ofcourse,anotherareawouldbeourfood,nutrition,Imean,there’snotmuchyoucandoonthat.Buttherearesomewaysthatyoucanseehowyoucouldreducesomeofthecoststhataregoingout,sowewouldbelookingatthat,aswell.AndIwouldsaythatthecurriculumpiecewouldbealargepiece.Iwouldnotwanttocutthecurriculumoutbecausewedon’thaveenoughmoney.Therewouldbeotherthingswecoulddo.Butifthecurriculumisnotthere,youputhandcuffsontheteachers,aswellasthe

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thingsthatthestudentsneedtoknow,evenasitrelatestocommoncoreandthestandardsthatthestatehaveputout.Therearecertainthingstheyneedtohaveinordertoreachthosegoals.JL:Thisappointmentisfor18months.Doplantorunforelectionin2018,andifso,whatisyourcommitmenttothatcampaign?DS:Rightnow,Ihavenotthoughtaboutthat.Well,Ithoughtaboutitbriefly,butnot,not,notalot.RightnowI’mgoingtotakeonestepatatime,andI’llgoasithasbeendesignedupabove,andgofromthere.Thatisanoption,butIwanttogoinfeetfirstanddothebestjobpossibleatthistime,andtomakeadifferenceontheBoard,andinthelivesofthechildren,andallofthecampuseswehavetolookatandlookover.SothosearesomethingsIwouldlookat.SoI’mputtingthejobfirst,beforewhatIwouldthinkisareasonableoutcomeformeforthefuture.SoIreallywanttoreallyconcentrateonthisfirstyear.BD:Thisbeingyourlastquestion.WhatdoyouseeasthemajorchallengesfacingLMSVschoolsandhowwouldbegintoaddressthesechallenges?DS:Um,Ithinktwomajorproblems,andIwasactuallylookingatsomeofthegoalsandsoforth,andIagreewiththatwasonewastheELLpopulation,andIthinkthatthat’samajorproblem.AndonlybecausetheyhaveachallengeoflearningEnglish,andcommunicatinginEnglishandbeingtestedinEnglishandsoforth.AndIdon’tthinkitshouldbeheldagainstthemifthey’renotupatthatlevel,andyetstill,that’sthelevelthey’rebeingtestedat.Soweneedtoreallyworkonthat.That’snotjustSpringValley,butthenthat’stheentireCalifornia,sothatwecanbesuccessful,andtheycanbesuccessfulwhentheygoforth.TheotherpieceIbelieveiscommunications.Andthat’saparentalthing.There’ssomethingsasrelatestoparenting,andweneedtobemoreparent-friendly.Iknowthatevenmychild,myown(inaudible),wassituationwheretheyweren’tdoingtoowellinschool,andtheywasinSpringValley,andsoItookaweekofffromworkandtheydidn’tthinkIwoulddothat.Itookaweekoff.Iwenttoeveryclass.FirstIwenttosigninandsoforth.Theydidn’twanttoputmeon,theywouldn’tletmeoncampusatfirst,theysaid,“Well,didyoutalktotheteacher,didyougetit---?”Isaid,“No,no,no.“ItalkedtothepersonIworkfor,andIsaid,“I’vegotthiswholeweekoff,andthat’swhatwe’regonnado.”SoIthinkthatweneedtomakesurethatparentsknowtheycancomeon,andtheycanbecomepartnerswiththeDistrictandwiththeteachersandwiththeschoolonaneverydaybasisandwe’llhaveabetterschool.ET:Okay,thatwasyourlastquestionandthisisalmosttheend.Butyouhavetwominutesnowtogiveaclosingstatement.DS:LikeIsaidbefore,Ithinkthatthiswouldbea...IwouldbedelightedtoworkontheBoard,delightedtoworkineducationagain,ofcourse.Iworkoneducationeverydayofmylife,butit’sgoodtotouchandfeelandtobringabouttheexperiencesthatI’vehad,andhopefullythoseexperiencescanhelpyou,aswellasparents,aswellasthestudents,inwhichwewanttobeapartof.TheexperiencesI’vehad,theprincipal-ships,andsoforth,beingoncampuses,andalsoworkingwithschoolsthatarechildrenwhohavenotbeenabletocometoschool.IthinkthatthosewouldbegreatthingsthatwouldbeapositiveplusforSpringValley,LaMesa,andtheschooldistrict.ET:Mr.Sykes,thankyouforyourparticipationandyourresponses.DS:Thankyou.(Generalconversation)

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ET:Hello,Ms.Yapura-Weiler.DidIpronounceitcorrectly?HY:Yes,Yapura-Weiler,yes,thankyou.ET:Pleasehaveaseat.HY:Sure.ET:Makeyourselfcomfortableandwewillbeginwithathree-minuteopeningstatement.And,wheneveryou’reready.HY:Okay.Thankyou.Okay.Thankyouallforyourtimetoday.Asyouwillhaveknownfromhavingreadmyapplication,I’mnotaneducator,nordoIhaveabackgroundinpubliceducation.However,whatIdohopetoconveytodayaretheskillsandattributesIdohavethatwouldrecommendmeforthisposition.Firstandforemost,Ihaveaprofoundrespectandadmirationforeducationandit’stransformativepowers.Inaddition,ifTuesdaynightwasanyindicationofthetypesofissuesthatbroughtbeforetheboard,IfeelthatmyextensiveandprofoundbusinessandlegalbackgroundwouldbeanassistancetotheBoard,andIwouldbehumbledandhonoredifmylife’swouldcouldsomehowworktoadvancethevisionsoftheBoard.I’dliketosharewithyoualittlebitaboutmyvisionforpubliceducation.Specifically,Iwouldcharacterizemyisvisionthateverystudenthasaccesstoqualityeducation.AndwhatImeanbythatis,there’salotpackedintothatsentence.I’dliketoelaborateonaccess,specifically.IfeelthattheBoardhas,it’sincumbentupontheBoardtoreachouttoeverydemographicandconstituency.Specifically,Englishlanguagelearnersandspecialneedsdemographics.Withregardstoquality,Icannottosubscribetotheviewpointthatstandardizedtests,orevencertainbuzzwordsthatarethrownabout,isequaltoquality.Withregardtoeducation,Ievenwouldliketodebatethetopicofwhatisincludedinthedefinitionofeducation.Thatisjustknowledgetransfer?Orthatalsoincludescharacterbuilding,socialconsciousness,loveoflearning,criticalthinking,largerissuesthatencompasseducation.So,withtheremainingtime,I’dliketoadd,onapersonalnote,asaparentofastudentwhowillbeenteringthekindergarten,soK-12system,orKthrough8system,Ihavefrontrowseatatalotoftheissuesthatimpactourfamilies,ourstudents,ourparents,andspecifically,asabilingualHispanic,Iwouldliketoleveragemyperson,toreachoutandaccessthisimportantdemographictotheLMSVDistrict.Thankyou.ET:Okay,sonowwebeginthequestions.Iwillaskyouthefirstquestion.HY:Okay,thankyou.ET:WhatdoyouknowabouttheLMSVschoolstudents?HY:Iknowthat55%ofthestudentsarereceivingfreelunch.Iknowthatasignificantpercentage–Ibelieve45%-areEnglishlanguagelearners.Apartfrombroaddemographics,IprofessthatIhavenotattendedLaMesapublicschools.Mychildhasyettoattendpublicschools.Iwouldimaginethestudentsare–comefromdiversebackgroundsoffamilies.I’msorry,Ican’telaboratemuchfurther.I’velivedinLaMesaforthreeandahalfyears,soI’vehadaccesstosomeofthestudentsthatgotothisschooldistrict.Andthey’regreatkids.DC:Thankyou.Pleasedescribeyourexperienceworkinginadecision-makingbodyorgroup.Describeatimeyouhadtoreachanagreementonacontentiousissue.Howdidyoureachconsensus?HY:Thankyou.Um,soIwoulddescribemypersonalstyle,myleadershipstyle,ascollaborative.Ifeelthatit’simportanttocontributeandtokeepaholdofthelargerpicture.It’simportanttomakesure

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personalitiesdonotgetinthewayofgoalsandvision.Andthatgoesnotonlyfortheoutcome,butalsofortheprocess.It’sdifficultwhensituationscanbecontentious.Ifindinmypastexperiences,havingthegoodpersonalrelationshipwitheveryoneonthecommitteehasalwaysbeenhelpfultowardsknowingthateveryoneinvolvedhastheirbestinterest.Andknowingthattheothercommitteemembersareupstanding,ethicalcitizens,andviewingthemassuch.Always.DC:Thankyou.JL:Serviceontheboardrequiresasignificantamountoftimeformeetings,studyingissues,andotheractivities.HowmuchtimedoyouanticipateyouwillhavetodevotetotheBoard?HY:That’sagoodquestion.IfeelthatIwillhaveenoughtimetodevotetotheBoard.I’mnotretired,soIdowork.Currently,I’mworkingparttime,whichispartofthereasonIhavechosentogetmoreinvolvedwithcommunityservice.IfeelthatIamagreatmulti-taskerandthatIcanmaketime.I’maverygooduserofmytimemanagement.SoIdon’tperceivethisasanissue.AndIhopewouldn’tbeprovedwrong.BD:IfyouwereselectedasaBoardmember,howdoyouseeyourrolewhenassignedasarepresentativeonaDistrictcommittee.Forexample,Boys&GirlsClub,DistrictAdvisory,Superintendent’s20/20Vision,ChildNutritionCommittee,ortheBudgetCommittee?HY:Iwouldviewmyroleasaschoolboardmembertobepromotingthegoalsandvisionoftheschoolboard.Iwouldalsoviewmyselfasacommunitypartner,toshareinformation,toliaisewiththedifferentstakeholders,communitymembers,andlocalgovernmentagenciesthatIwouldhavecontactwith.Toalwayspromotethegoalsoftheschoolboard.Andtosharewhatthoseare.ET:PleasediscussyourunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweentherolesoftheSuperintendent,theCabinet,andtheBoard.HY:Myunderstanding,onesecond(pause).MyunderstandingisthattheroleoftheBoardistosetthegoalsandthevisionfortheschoolboard.Inadditiontohavingsome,Iguess,hiringpower,tohirewhothesuperintendent.Andtocarryoutthebusinessandfinancialmattersoftheschoolboard,withregardtosettingpolicy,orinterpretingregulations,dealing,approvingpersonnelmatters.Honestly,IwasnotawareoftheCabinetasaseparatebodyoftheschoolboard,soIapologizeformyshortcominginthatregard.Aswellasthedaytodayfunctionsofthesupervisor,mygeneralunderstandingisthathehasoversightoverthevariousschoolsandadministration.DC:Pointoforder.Areweallowedtoclarifyaquestion?ET:No.DC:Understood.Thankyou.DC:Ifmajorfundingreductionsweretooccur,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeprioritiesforprogramsorservicestoretain?HY:Holdon,please(pause).Um,firstwouldbestaffing.Ifeelstronglythatstudent-teacherratioisveryimportant,asfarasitimpactseducation,qualityofeducation.Secondwouldbespecialprograms.AsImentionedwithregardtospecialneedsandotherdemographics,suchasEnglishlanguagelearners.Ifeelthattheseconstituenciesare–theywouldbeadverselyimpactedwithadramaticdecreaseinfunding.

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Andthen,thirdwouldbefacilities.Ifeelthatit’simportanttomaintainacertainamountoffundingfortheupkeepoffacilities.AndbythatIwouldalsoincludetechnologyandotherassetsfortheschool.JL:Okay.Thisappointmentisforeighteenmonths.DoyouplantorunforreelectioninNovember2018,andifsowhatisyourcommitmenttothatcampaign?HY:Um,electionfortheschoolboard,specifically?Ihavenotdecided.IverywellmayifIfindthatI’msuitedforthispositionandthatit’sanenjoyableexperience,thatIfeellikeIcanmakeanimpact,Iwoulddefinitelybeinterested,butIhavenotgiventhatanythought,anyconcretethought.BD:Thisisyourfinalquestion.WhatdoyouseeasthemajorchallengesfacingLMSVschoolsandhowwouldyoubegintoaddressthesechallenges?HY:(Pause).Idofeelthatthemajorchallengefacingtheschoolboardandprobablyanyschoolboardatthismomentisthechangeinthefundingthatwillbecomingfromthefederalgovernment.Ihonestlydon’t–cannot–saythatIhaveaplaninplacetoaddressthatsituation.Ifeellikewhatwouldberequiredwouldbetohaveanunderstandingoftheimpactforeachprogramanddemographicandtosetarigorousprioritizationtomakesurethatwhatchangesneedtobeimplementedarethoughtout.Apartfromthefundingissue,Idofeelthatariskthatiscloseto,notjusttheLMschool,SVschool,buttoallschooldistricts,publicschoolsrather,isthethreatfromvoucherprogramsandcharterschools.Andagain,Idonothaveaplaninplaceatthismoment.Idon’tfeellikeevenhaveenoughknowledgeofthesubjecttopresumetohaveaplan.ButagainIwould,Ifeelverypassionateabouteducationadensuringaccess.AndifI’mgoingtovolunteermytime,IcanthinkofnoothermorevaluableresourcethanournextgenerationofSanDiegans,LaMesans,andCalifornians.Thankyou.ET:Okay,thatendsourquestions.Nowyouhavetwominutestodoaclosingstatement.Wheneveryou’reready.HY:So,IthoughtmaybeyouweregoingtoaskwhyIwantedtorunforthisposition.AndIhadtothinkaboutthatquiteabit,andmyhonestanswerwouldbewhatIrecentlyalludedto.IfeelthatIhavebeenincrediblyfortunatetohavebenefittedfromthetransformativepowersofeducation.I’vepursuedmultipledegrees,andfeelthatmylifehasbeencontinuallyenrichedbecauseofthat.Iwouldliketomakesurethatmorestudentshavethesameexperience.Whetherthatisparentsthatpromotethemtopursueeducation,qualityeducationintheschoolstheyattend.Not,youknow,teacherswhoaresoimportant,butalsocurriculum,facilities.AndIfearthatcurrently,presentday,2017inAmerica,that,thatthereisariskthatwe’rejusteducatingthenextgenerationofstudentstobegainfullyemployed,youknow,andnottobecivicallyengaged,civicmindedcontributingmembersofsocietythatunderstandreally,andcontributetothefoundationofAmerica,whichIviewasdemocracy,capitalism,theruleoflaw,largerissuesthatgobeyond,um,anyparticular,youknow,subjectmatter.So,thisiswhyIwouldliketocontributeandvolunteermytimewiththisschoolboard.Thankyou.ET:Thankyouforyourresponses,andthatendsourinterviewprocess.Wewilltakeatenminutebreakatthistimeandthencomebackandpickup.BM:Begindeliberations.ET:Deliberations.Allright,tenminutes.(GeneralConversation)

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ET…comeupwiththosegreatanswersforus,andalsotodaydoingtheinterviewsession.Thankyouforbeingapartofthat,forsittingthroughallourquestions,foryouropening,yourclosing.Weappreciatealltheeffortyoumade.Andifyoudon’tgetselectedtoday,justknowweappreciateyouanyway.Now,whowantstogofirstwiththedeliberations–hassomethingtosay?DC:IfImay,Iwanttoechoandelaborateonyourcomments.TwoofyouarewellknowtomeandtotheDistrict,andit’sanhonortoreceiveyourapplication.Thankyouverymuchforgoingthroughtheprocess,asEmmasaid.AndforthoseyouI’mjustmeetingthisevening,orearlierthisweek,whatapleasuretogettoknowyou.Iwanttotellyou,clearly,youwouldbeassetstotheDistrictinanycapacity.Soeverysingleoneofyou,regardlessoftheoutcometonight,Iwouldencourageyoutovolunteerandbecomeinvolved.Someoftheindividualcomments,somespecificexperienceinsuccessinmathachievement,someheartforensuringthatwe’regivingequalandeffectiveaccessforallstudentstoaqualityeducation.ThesearewonderfulideasthateveryoneonthisBoardshares.Sothereisopportunitytodothat.Whetherit’sataBoardlevel,oraPTAleveloranindividualschool,orevenservingtheDistrictasawhole.Andaboveandbeyondthat,qualitypeople,ifImaysayso.Again,Ilookforwardtogettingtoknoweachofyoubetter.JL:Iwouldechothesame,itwasapleasuregettingtoknowallofyou.IthinkmaybeIonlyknowoneofyou.Mr.SteigerandIhavemetbefore,buttherestofyouhavenot,anditwasapleasurehavingyouhere.Iappreciatethatyousathereandwereverythoughtful,inspiteofthefactyouhavealltheseeyesuponyou.I’veinterviewed,atlastcount,about10,000peopleinmycareerinhumanresources.It’salotofpeople,andthisbyfarisoneofthetoughestones,soIappreciatethatyousathereanddidyourbest,andcommunicatedwellwithus.BD:IwouldagreewithothermembersoftheBoardhere,andjustrespectthatbothDr.Turnerandmyselfhavegonethroughthatsamesettingatthattable,asyouhave.Itwasadifferenttypeofsetting.Alotofdiscomfortwhenyouhavetoexposeyourselfinthatmanner,andyouknowwiththecrowdbehindyo,asitwasinmyparticularcase,Iwasn’tsuccessinmyinterviewprocess.AndIranfortheelection.Sowouldjustencourageyouto,ifyoufeelthatyouwerenotsuccessfultoday,andthathappens,youcanrunfortheelection,andthere’salotofthingsyoucandointhatrespect.Dr.Turnerwassuccessfulandhasbeenanunbelievablecandidatethatranallthewayallthewaythroughourownranks,too.IwasreallyencouragedbythefactthatIwentthoughalltheseinterviews–nottheinterviews–theresumes.Onnumerousoccasions,startingthedaywegotthem,Ireadthempersonally,andIreadthemagainyesterday,andIreadthemagaintoday,andIthoughtwehavegotsomereallyqualitypeoplesittingbehindusrighthere.Andit’sgoingtobegreattoknowthatwehavethesepeoplewhoarethatinterestedintheDistrictthatthey’rewillingtodosomethingandstepuptothetableandrun,gothroughtheinterviewprocess.Andthoseofyouwhohavesaidyoumightevencontinuebyrunningifyouarenotsuccessfultoday,andIhopeyoudo.ET:Okay,nowthatwe’vegotridofalltheniceties(laughter)let’sgetdowntobusiness.JL:I’dliketomovethatwetakeapausesowecanreviewournotes.Soifthat’saformalmotion,I’dliketomakethat.ET:Youdon’thavetodoitlikethat.Icanjustgiveusfiveminutes.JT:Thankyou.ET:Fiveminutesgood?

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JT:Thatsoundsgood.ET:Fiveminutes,gothroughournotes,thenwe’llstart.DB:Wedowritealot.BM:Youguysareontheclock(laughter).Iwillholduptheoneminutesignwhenoneminuteremains.DC:Turnaboutisfairplay.BD:...thechallengesthesepeoplehavewhenthere’saconflictwhat’sgoingon,Mr.SchnaubeltmadebecauseIdidn’trecognizethat,Iwasnotonthe20/20atthatparticulartime.ButIrecognizeitsometimesisachallengetomake–wehaveconflictsontheBoard,betweenBoardmembers,orissuesthatcometotheDistrictitself.Somearemoreawareoftheroleoftheboardmember,thatwasoneofthequestionsIgave.AndIdidwanttokindofpindownmyownroleonacommitteeactionwhenI’minthere.That’spartofwhichwhyIwrotethatquestion,becauseIwanttoknowexactlywhatismypositionasarolemember?IknewwhatIthoughtitwas,andIheardalotofitreflectedbacktome,ofwhatIthinktherolesare,andthere’ssomepeoplewhohadabetterunderstandingoftheirrolesthanIreallythoughtyoushouldhave,becauseyouhaven’tbeenonthosecommittees,saveforMr.Schnaubelt.AndMr.Steiger.Ilookedverystronglyatelectability,asIranfourtimestogetonthisseat,andIknowwhatelectionsarelike.They’renotawholelotoffun,believeme.Butit’simportanttoknowthatinordertoreallydosomethingfortheDistrictyouneedtolookatelectabilityandI’mlookingverycloselyatthatwhenI’mpickingmycandidates.Um,IwasreallyimpressedbyAnn’sremarksaboutrefugees.Ineverthoughtofrefugeesasanissue.Butwe’rebringingrefugeesintothiscountry,andgee,howdowerespondtothem.SoI’mlookingatthatoneasanotherissueonmy(inaudible).I’mnotreadytomakeacandidatedecision,althoughIhaveacoupleinmindatthisparticularmoment.ET:Okay.Anycommentsfromtheothertwo?DC:IthinkIamsimilarlymindedtoyou,MemberDuff.I’vealreadyspokenthatIappreciatedeveryonebeinghere.Iwouldsaywithtwocandidates,Iseeheartandpassion,andalsoexperience.Buttheyaretakingasecondpositionformeatthistime,becauseIthinktheycouldusesomemoreseasoningintheDistricttounderstandingourissues.Notjustanyonequestion,butreallytheentirebodyofresponses.SometimespentintheDistrictoncommittees,orperhapsvolunteeringintheschoolswouldgivethemsomemoreinsightintothechallengesandtheoperationsoftheDistrict.IwouldsayIwasalsosurprisedbyonecandidate’sthoroughpreparation,andunderstandingofDistrictissues.ItwasnotwhatIexpectedontheresumewereceived.ButIwashopeful,andthatwas...sothatpersonremainsonmyshortlist.JL:Ispentalotoftimereallythinkingaboutthisprocess,andthinkingtwomainthings.Numberonethat,itwasn’tthatlongagothatIwentthroughmycampaign.Thework,theeffortandthecommitmentofmyself,andmyfamilyeven,tothecampaign,andsoIthinkaboutthatasoneofthekeypieces,istheelectabilityoftheindividualasMemberDuffsaid.Butalso,Ithinkaboutthefactthatwe’vemadeadecisiontoaprocesswehaverighttomakeadecisionabout.Meaningwehavearighttomakeadecisiontostepintheplaceofthevotertoselectsomeonefortheseat,andyetIdon’ttakethatlightlyatall.Ifeellikethat’svery,veryimportantforustorememberaswethinkaboutthefactthatfor,Idon’tknowhowlong,butcertainly,butthelastsixmonths,everyoneofus,includingformerMemberWinet,wereelectedtoourposition.Andsothewillofthevoter,inmymind,weighsheavily,becausetheyselectedus.AndIhavetoassumethatwasn’tarandomselection,thattheyputthoughtandeffortintothatprocess.AndsoI’mverymindfulofwhowouldbeelectable.Whowouldbethechoiceofthevoter?WhatdidthecompositionofourBoardlooklikeattheconclusionoftheirlastvote?Andwhathadtheysaidabout

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candidatesinthepastwhohaverun,andmaybedidnotgetelected?AndIthinkthat’saveryimportantcomponentbecausethelastthingIwouldwanttodoisstepinthewayofwhatthevoterhassaidandchosesomeonethatalreadybeenvetted.ET:Okay,soinlookingatthecandidates,threecandidatesstoodoutforme.AndI’mgoingtonamenames,okay?(Laughter)Thethree–letmejustsay,beforeInamenames,letmejustsaythateveryonewhoparticipated–therewasn’tasinglepersonwhodidn’thavesomegreatanswerthatIsaid,“Oh,okay,Icanusethislater,maybe.”Soeveryoneoneofyouhadagreatresponseforme,thatIwasinternalizing.AsJimjusttalkedabout,weareintheplaceofthevoters.Wearetryingtoselect,wearetryingtoputourdecision-makingbasedonwhatwethinkthevoterswouldwantustodo.AndIthinkthevoterswouldwantustopickqualifiedpersonforthatjob.Onewhowouldmakeagreatfitforthisposition.Sothat’stwothings,notone.Soyoucanmethemostqualified,butifyou’renotagoodfit,inmyview,thenit’snotgoingtohappen.So,oneofthequestionsthatIreallyputalotofstockin,andwhenItalkaboutthenames,andthisismainlywhy..thequestionofyourcommitmentto2018.Ifyouarenotcommittedtorunfor2018,tome,Iwaslike,“Okay,wellthenweneedtomoveontosomeonewho’scommittedtothat.”Andtherewerecandidateswhowerecommitted,andtherewerecandidateswhowerethoughtfulandsaidtheywerestillthinkingaboutit.Butifyouknowyouwant2018,yourosetothetopforme.Becauseeverysingleoneofyou,whenitcametowhatwouldyouretainifwehadabudgetcrisis,orwhatever,talkedaboutkids–teachingkids.Soyou’vealreadygotthatelementofpassionforchildrenforme.AndnowIhavetolookattheotherquestionsandseewhatelsecanI,howelse,canInarrowit.AndInarroweditbyyourcommitmentto2018.Ialsonarroweditbythisdecision-makingnarrative.Noteverybodyrespondedwithascenariofordecision-making.Youwentoff,I’msorry,onatangent.AdifferenttangentthanIwaslookingfor.So,Ilookedatthat,andonemorething,thenI’mgoingtodomynames.Thechallenges:funding,Imeaneverybodygotthat–thatwasgreat.Idon’tthinkonepersondidn’tmentionsomethingaboutfunding.SoI’mgratefulthatyouguysrecognizethatfinanceisabigproblemineducationrightnow.It’snotstable,wecan’tdependonit–wemighthaveitthisyear,wemightnothaveitnextyear,wemightnotevenhaveifforthehalfofthisyear,thatkindofthink.Anyway,somytopthreethatI’mlookingatrightnow.AndI’mnotgoingtosaythey’reinthisparticularorder,butthetopthree–Steiger,Schnaubelt,andBasson.I’msorryIsaidyournamewrong–Basson.RB:Basson.BM:Basson.RB:ButI’llanswertoallthree.(Laughter)ET:Thosearemytopthree.BD:Iconcurwiththose,butI’mgoingtomakeastatement,too.MayIdothat?Ithinkallofushavethesameopinioninthisrespectinparticular,thatMemberChongandIbothagreewiththefactthat,Ilookedatisas,thisisapositionthatwillaperson’slifesignificantly.Theindividualthatisselectedtonight,thatlifeisgoingtobechangedbecause,there’sawholelotofdifferenceresponsesandresponsibilitiesandfeelingsthatyou’rehavingaboutit.Moreimportantly,theamountthatishasonthe12,000someoddchildrenthatwehave,andthedecisionsthatwillbemade.Thatreallykeptmeawakeforthelasttwonights,inallhonesty.IfIlooklikeIhaven’tslept,it’sbecauseIhaven’t,thinkingaboutit.Inallseriousness,I’mbothereditbecauseit’sabigchallengeandabigresponsibility,ifthepersonwantsinthere.Iwouldliketomakeanomination.MayIdothat?

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ET:Yes,ofcourse.Itwouldrequireasecond.BD:Itwould.InominateMr.PaulSchnaubelt.ET:Okay,wehaveanominationtonominateMr.PaulSchnaubelt.Dowehaveasecond?ET:Wedon’thaveasecond,sothemotiondiesforlackofasecond.Anyothernominations?DC:IfImaydiscuss,I–ET:Morediscussion.That’sfine.DC:I’mencouragedbyMr.Schnaubeltcommitmenttorunin2018.IamcomfortedbytheadditionalspaceoftimethatthatwillprovidebetweenhisdeparturefromtheAssociationandentranceintothissideofthedais.I’mtalkingtoyou,sinceyou’reintheroom.PS:Icompletelyunderstandthat.Iknowwe’renotsupposedtotalk.ET:Yeah,you’renotsupposedto(laughter).DC:Iwastalkinginhisdirection(laughter).ET:Iknow.Ifwecanberelaxedatall,thisisthepointrighthere.Becausewe’retryingtomakeaveryimportantdecision,andifweneedclarificationorwhatever,wecantalktoyou.Isthatokay?PS:That’sfine.ET:Okay.DC:I’llgofurtherinmystatementsandsaythatmy,inlookingatmytopthreethencandidates,ofwhomPaulisone,theotherhighlyexperiencedapplicantisJay.AndinJay’scase,Iamnotputtingthemotionforwardtoappointhimbecause,asmyassociateshavementioned,Icarrytheburdenofsteppinginplaceofthetax–excusemethevoters,theelectorateonanappointmentvery,veryseriously.Andthreetimesthisman,whoIlikeandwhoisaservantoftheDistrict,hasputhimselfbeforethevotersandhasnotbeenelected.Itmakesmeverynervous,andinfactIcan’tconscience-anappointmentoutsidethevotingprocessthatrunscontrarytothosethreeunsuccessfulruns.Sothatleavesmewithreallybyprocessofelimination,withamotiontoappointRebekahBasson.ET:IhaveamotiontoappointRebekahBasson.DoIhaveasecond?JL:Iwouldliketosecondthat.Um,Ispentalotoftimereallylookingattheapplications,yourapplications,youranswers.Um,I’ve,Mr.Schnaubelt,I’venothadtheopportunitytomeetyou.I’mimpressedwithyouranswersandyourinterview.Ifeellikeyouhaveagreatopportunitytopresentyourselftothevotersin2018andaverystrongopportunitytowageastrongcampaign.AndIfeellikethatis–Iwouldliketoseethevoter,thevoterhavethatopportunitywithyou.Mr.Steiger–IhavealotofrespectforyouandtheworkthatyouhavedoneinourDistrict,andastheothermembers–acoupleothermembershavesaid–Ithinkbecausethevotershavespoken,Ifeelvery,veryreluctanttosidestepthem.WithMs.Basson,whenIthinkaboutourBoardandthepersonwhocouldstepintothatseatandfollowwhatwe,howwe’vebeenthefiveusbefore,IseeinMs.Basson,someonewhowill-whomaybehasnotformulatedallofherthoughtsandopinionsandpositionsthoroughyearsofservice,yearsof

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beingoncommittees,andotherthings.Instead,someonewhowilltakeandseetheissuebeforeus,processthatissue,askquestions,meetwithMr.Marshallforclarification,askquestionsduringpresentations,makecommentsafterwe’vemademotions,andmakeaverydeliberateandthoughtfuldecisionwhenshecastshervote.AndIthinkthatmostcloselymatches,even,andtobeverypersonalhere,matcheswhothevoterslastselectedasanewmemberofthisBoard.Because,yes,IhavechildrenwithintheDistrict,whoaregoingthroughtheschooldistrict.Yes,I’vehadtheopportunitytobeavolunteer.ButcanIsayIwalkedinwithfullyformedopinionsthroughyearsofteachingandbeinganadministrator?No.Itakeanddeliberatevery,verycarefullywhenwehavesomethingbeforeus.WhenIgetouragenda,IaskquestionsandreallytakethecommentsoftheotherBoardmembersvery,veryseriouslywhenIdeliberateandmakeadecision.AndIseethatasavaluethevotersrecognizedinme,andit’ssomethingthatIrecognizeinher.Idothink,Ms.Basson,youwillhaveafewpeopleyouwillbeupagainstinthe2018election,andyouwillhaveanuphillclimbforthat.ButIdon’tseethatbeingadeterrentfromus,oradetrimenttoourBoardinmakingheramemberofit,sothatiswhyI’vemademysecond.ET:Okay,sothankyouforyourcomments.Ihavesomecomments,aswell.IwanttosaythatJaySteigerismynumberonepickandherearethereasons.Ifyoulookattherecommendations,younotonlylookatyourvoters,yourconstituents,youlookatotherpublicofficialswhoIholdinhighregard.AndI’msure,likeDianneJacob,ourSupervisor,likethemayorofLaMesa,andsomecouncilpeople.Weholdtheminhighregardfortheirpositionsandtheworkwe’vedonewiththem,right?BecausetheyhavegivenJaySteigertheirsupport,andbecauseofmyhavingworkedwithhimoncommittees,Iknowhisworkethic–Iunderstandwhatyoutwoaresayingaboutthepublicdidnotchosehim.Well,lookatthefactthathecameinveryclosethislasttime.Youcanonlyhaveonewinner.Iwouldnotholdthatagainsthim,thathewasnotchosenbythepublic.Hegotlotsofvotes,justnotenough.Iwantsomeonewho’smoreexperiencedinthisposition.IknowRebekahiseager.Ilovedherpresentation.Shespokefromtheheart,shehadnonotesandshejustwentforit.Sheremindsmeofmyselfyearsago.But-Ithinkhertimeiscoming,butnotrightnow.Notwhenwehaveamorequalified–twomorequalified–we’vegotPaulandwe’vegotJay–notwhenwe’vegottwomorequalifiedindividualssittingrightherewhoappliedforthejob.Ithinkoneofthosetwoshouldbeselected.Infact,IthinkJayistheonewhoshouldbeselected,becausenotonlyhasheputhimselfouttherewithcommitmentandrunthree–twoorthree?–times,Iforgethowmanytimes.Threetimes,andgottenclose,butnocigar.Buthe’salsostayedcommittedtocomingtoseewhat’sgoingonwithus,evenafterhelost.That’sthekindofcommitmentIwanttoseeonthisBoard.Hekeepscomingback.Nothingdetershim.Sohedidn’tevenhavetosaytheword‘commitment’-weknowbyhisactionshowcommittedheis.Andweknowhehastheexperienceandtheknowledge.Andweknowthathe’ssupportedbyalltheelectedofficialsthatweholdinhighregard.SoIdon’tseeanyreasonwhywecannotelectJay–appointhim–forthisposition.DC:Iwouldrespondtothatbysaying,Iagree,Jayiswellqualified,wellexperienced,andhasdemonstratedthathe’swillingtodothetime,regardlessofwhetherhe’sappointed,elected,orjustservinginavoluntarycapacity.Thethreetimesdemonstratedapassingofthevotersonelectinghimoverothercandidatesweighsheavyonmyconscience.Inaddition,Ms.Bassonreceivedevenmorelettersofrecommendationfromareaelectedofficials.Somefromotherschoolboards.Also,veryspecificallywordedlettersofrecommendationfromherpastors,whichspoketome.Andactually,spoketomeinanewwayinthisinterview,becausetheyallmentioned‘sharpmind,quickstudy’andI’llbefrank,Ijustwasn’tseeingthatinherwrittenapplication,herresume.Buttobefair,shehasn’thadasmanyyearstobuildthatresumeassomeofourotherapplicants.Buttherewasacommonthemeinallofherlettersofrecommendations,thatshe’ssharpandaquickstudy,andquicklyexcelsatthingssheputshermindto.She’ssounknowntome,andshehasn’tbeenonaPTAoranythinglikethat,andheranswerstothesequestionswerenotallperfect,butallcamefromthesameplaceIcomefrom,philosophically,ontheapproachtoeducation.That’simportanttome.Wehad–welost–ourmostconservative,most

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outspokenvoiceonthisBoardwithMemberWinet’sdeparture.Andhewaselectedfor19yearsworthofterms.Jayhasdemonstrated-Mr.Steigerhasdemonstratedquiteclearly,andwithabsoluteregularity,anddependability,thatheisdevotedtothesestudentsinourDistrict.Andnotjustthestudents,buttheDistrict’ssupportofthosestudents.Irespectthat,Iadmireit.Ispenttimewithhimpriortothisinterviewandthoroughlyenjoyedourconversationandbelievehimtobequalified.However,althoughwebothshareapassionatedevotiontoqualityeducationofourstudents,wecomeatopinionsonthat–whatisaqualityeducation,andwhatthateducationshouldconsistof–fromdifferentphilosophicalbackgrounds.Andwhileallvoicesarehealthytobeheardonacollaborativeboard,thatseatwasheldbyastrongsocialandfiscalconservative.ET:So,Idon’tmeananyoffensetoRick,becauseheandIarestillfriends,andwhatever.Butheisgone,andit’snothisseat,hisname’snotwrittenonit.It’saseatontheBoard,okay.Andso,itjustneedstobefilledbysomeonewho’scommittedtoourchildren,ourDistrict,andknowstheissuesandwillingtoserverightnow.Abletoserverightnow.Capableofservingrightnow.That’sJay.JL:Inresponsetothat,IwouldsayIagreetothosepieces,butIdon’tthinkthatdistinguishesMr.SteigerfromMs.Basson.Ithinksherepresentssomeonewhoishere.Sheansweredthequestionsontheapplication,andIwouldsayfromthoseanswers,Ihadmydoubts.WhenIsawhersitthere,infrontofallofus,poisedandreadytoanswereveryoneofthosequestions,havingnoknowledgeofanyofthequestions,shedidn’tknowanythingaboutthem.Andwehadindividualsfromourcommunitywhoalsodidn’tknowthem,anddidn’tanswerthemaswellasshedid,thatsaysalotaboutherbeingalsocommittedtothisposition,committedtothekids–ET:Iagree.JL:Andcommittedtoknowingtheissueswhen,evenjust,atthetimeoffillingouttheapplication,thingsverymuchchangedintermsofaknowledgeableindividual.AndIsee,ifthat’swhatshe’sdonehere,IhaveconfidencethatshewillalsodothatwhenpresentedwithissuessheneedstovoteonwithourBoard.ET:Iagree100%.Shedidagreatjob,sheansweredthequestions.Shedoesn’thavethatdepthofexperiencethateitherPaulorJayhas.Doyouwanttosaysomething?BD:Iwaswonderingwhenyouweregoingtoturnaround.(Laughter)ET:I’vegottofacilitateandadvocateatthesametime,youknow?(Laughter)ET:I’msorry,Idoapologize.BD:Iagreewiththefactthatsheisyoung,inthatrespect.Soarealotofourprincipals.Andtome,everybody’syoung.I’vegotagranddaughterasoldassheis.Soitmakesitalittledifficulttosay,“Okay,isthatpersonoldenoughtotakethisjobon?”AndIthinksheis.Thatbeingsaid,Idofeelverystronglyaboutelectability,andIthinkitmakesabigdifference.Ifweareusurpingthepublic’schanceoftakingthisin,toeffect,pickingaparticularperson,itremainstobeseenwhethershewouldbeelectable.Butshe’llhavethatchallengeifsheis.Sowiththatfact,I’llcallforthequestion.

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ET:ThemotionistoappointRebekahBassonandwehaveasecondalready.Allinfavor?Chong,Duff,Long:AyeET:Allopposed?ET:No.ET:Andnoabstentions,sothemotionpassed.OurnextschoolboardmemberisRebekah.Welcome.(Applause)ET:Okay,that’sallourbusiness,excepttheswearingin.BM:Yes,wecanadjourn.ET:Wewilladjournandthenswearin.Meetingadjourned.MEETINGADJOURNEDAT7:37P.M.