Both candidates were sent a list of 12 questions and offered the opportunity to respond over a 30 day period. Only Jacob Smith responded. Ms. Bocanegra is the incumbent and must have felt it wasn’t necessary to respond.
Consider that Mr. Smith took the time and effort to share his views. If you think it’s time to install some new blood in the Evergreen district please consider him. If you reach out to either candidate and get responses please share them with us so we can update the article.
Ms. Bocanegra’s history is relevant given the massive issues with the Evergreen School District. Multiple Superintendents. Massive loss in students. Massive budget deficits. When does the public say out with the failures and in with new people and new ideas?
Update: It appears that the Columbian has decided that Bocanegra should be reelected. Given the turnover in superintendents; the loss of students; the strikes, the massive levies and bonds it’s clears that living in the past is the wrong way to go forward. Watch the interview. Excuse after excuse. New blood is the only way to make changes. Update: The Democrat Party has posted their endorsement of Ms. Bocanegra.
Jacob Smith
Phone 360.977.1159
Email ja.smith12@yahoo.com
Q1: Given the poor student test scores, what are your proposals to improve learning and outcomes?
Out math scores have been subpar. My proposition would be to require financial literacy to graduate high school and to introduce financial literacy in middle school: I also believe test scores do not indicate learning or potential: for instance in 2008, we had a student at evergreen HS who was taking classes through running start but was at risk of not graduating because of not passing the math standardized test. I’ve also noticed wording on test questions can trip up students.
Q2: Given that an estimated 50% of the entire state budget goes to K-12 education, what are your thoughts about improving efficiencies in local spending?
The state budget has been 42% of spending on education: my goal is to also eliminate bargaining bonuses and also bring an in house lawyer: evergreen was able to fork out 31k for the bargaining team to receive bonuses. That is unacceptable because we do not have an AVID or IB program. Evergreen has also forked out 1 million for lawyers yet there was a question about a conflict with law at a June meeting or wanting to defend the oath. They would be counsel for our board. There’s also been cuts to the excel program and the students who are deaf program.
My propositions for the budget:
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Freeze admin/non student facing position salary
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Freeze hiring for those positions
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Incentivize more senior teachers to retire by covering their health insurance until they hit Medicare/medicaid eligibility.
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Reduce the reserve policy from 5% to 4%
Q3: What’s your position on Parental Rights?
Parents have rights to make decision for schooling. My policy is to require middle and high school
To have syllabuses for their classes. This is to ensure communication, exceptions,grading policy and contact. It also can show deadlines for papers and projects (ie: DECA & FBLA).
Q4: Should parents have the right to choose public or private education for their children?
Yes.
Q5: What’s your position about transgender crossover in sports?
The NCAA does not allow trans athletes to compete per their bylaws. “Women’s division is only open to born as a female and men’s division is open regardless of gender at birth” Our board cannot go up against the WIAA not would it be a good look in the process to rehab the brand. Furthermore, the athletes who are trans are in the 2A division which none of the evergreen schools are in the 2A school. We would also most likely remain in 3A even if we dropped to 2A enrollment levels as the commission asks if any schools would like to move up.
Q6: Should school district negotiations with unions be public? Why or Why Not?
Yes if both parties agree. Negotiations can be a long and tedious process for example evergreen PSE had been in negotiations since march which they could not get done before September. However, there might not be available space for the public to view in instances where PSE was in negotiations for a long duration (until 9 pm). There have also been safety concerns surrounding the board due to contentious negotiations.
Q7: What is your position on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)?
I think dei has not been used properly. Evergreen has had
Two women of color leave the district yet has not accessed why they have left nor acknowledged their departure (mentioned at the 9/23 meeting) furthermore with only 6 principal positions, evergreen only hired one person of color for a principal position. There are also some subjects that are hard to fill (ie computer science,3d animation,special ed). I am for diverse viewpoints and perspectives but we need to show that we mean it.
Q8: What is your position on Critical Race Theory?
No opinion.
Q9: What’s your position on Mandated Pronouns?
I feel Olympia has focused more on something that won’t help versus something that would actually help. This is one of them, they are not able to get free lunch for kids; financial literary for a high school graduation or restrict cell phone usage in spite of the first two being introduced in 2 sessions. I am fine with pronouns but there should be an option to choose to not answer/ disclose.
Q10: Should school boards play an active role in running the school district or should the board hire a superintendent and let them run the show with minimal board input?
Boards should collaborate with the superintendent on policy and expectations. All members should collaborate and work on issues.
Q11: What are the top 3 issues you think need to be addressed in your school district and what would you do about them?
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budget cuts. We need a budget that can reverse some of the cuts (ie cuts made to academic intervention program, librarians) but it requires being open and collaboration.
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The bargaining team. Evergreen has had 3 strikes in a 7 year span and its Pse Strike lasted almost 3 weeks delaying school. Vancouver’s bargaining team was able to get a new contract in half the time in 2018 and was able to give its para union a contract within a week of threatening to strike. They also did not collect bargaining bonuses or have their negotiator say “this isn’t Burger King, you can’t have it your way”or “you don’t have the juice to strike”. Snide comments alongside racking up 31k in bonuses (between 4 team members) causes pause
Q12: What other topics or issues would you like to address?
I am trying to appeal to both democrats and republicans as well as third party voters. I pledge to only serve two terms on this board. I will be at the league of women’s voters debate on October 10th.
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Julie Bocanegra – No response
Email julieb32@comcast.net
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