Keith Giles

District: Lancaster School Trustee Area 1
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

I was able to take band as an elementary student. I was able to learn music and enjoyed the whole experience!

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

I think if we are able to incorporate the arts into our programs it will help students in many areas!

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

I feel that board members must advocate for students to have access to a broad range of study.
This can be funding the arts even when funds are not great!

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

We must sit down with all of the stakeholders and have discussions about how the arts can play a role in helping are students' achievement!

Edwin Borques

District: Baldwin Park USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

My life has been shaped by the arts. I was discovered by a scout and was acting, modeling and performing right out of high school. I have worked with great talent such as Sade, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake and many others. I have done TV commercials, film and been in magazines all over the world. I was the first male model ever for Dolce & Gabbana and was the love interest/sailor for Sade's worldwide hit, "No Ordinary Love."

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

Every kid is different. Lets give every kid the chance to succeed. Some creative solutions would be more field trips and extracurricular activities to places like the new Broad Museum in downtown LA, Disney Hall to hear the Philharmonic and opportunities in dance, drama and the arts. Once we develop and nurture kids in what interest them, then the sky is the limit. I am a student of the BPUSD and I made it to USC, my dream school. We need to mentor and motivate kids and they will feel more empowered to think outside the box.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

The School Board should be front and center in producing well rounded students that are ready to succeed in the real world. We hear too much talk about Common Core and Smarter Balanced. I want a renewed focus on the Arts. I want kids that can not only compete with their neighbors from Day 1 but can hold their own on an international level as well.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

We hear all this talk about not having enough funding and/or stagnant funding that doesn't change year over year. Lets meet and work with our more established philanthropists and create games, events, even competitions where schools and classes work on murals together (as 1 example) and the winning school gets a grant or aid or gets to paint the winning selection in some prized area of Downtown LA to be cherished and remembered for years to come.

Phillip Chen

District: Walnut Valley Unified
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

The Arts have had a tremendous positive impact on my life. As a youth I would perform Wushu, which is a both a Chinese Martial Art and Performing Art. It taught me both discipline and team work and inspired me to be a life-long athlete. One of my proudest achievements is establishing the Wushu team at Cal State Fullerton, and watching it grow every year.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

The Walnut Valley Unified School District is one of the top performing districts in both the State and Nation. As a board member we have to work with all our partners in the community: parents, teachers, administrators, and faculty to ensure each student has the best resources to succeed.
As a Board Member I am proud to support expanding S.T.E.M. education to our K-12 students. Additionally, I have hosted College Tuition and Scholarship Preparation Workshops in the districts to help educate both students and parents on how to successfully transition from High School to College and beyond.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

Board Members are stewards of the taxpayers, their job is ensure that tax dollars are being spent wisely in the classroom. I am proud of the work of our Board to both balance the budget and create a “rainy-day” fund to ensure that educational programs in the district are fully funded. We are also expanding S.T.E.M. education to ensure that students not only study the classics but are prepared to lead in the 21st century world that is rapidly changing and becoming ever more connected through technology.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

The Walnut Valley Unified School District is a low-wealth district this means that we do not receive our fair share of resources from the State of California This means we have to think outside the box to ensure our district continues to be one of the top performing districts in both the State and Nation We however have a very supportive and generous community partners such as the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation and Walnut Diamond Bar Chinese American Parents Association that work hand in hand with our district to ensure our students have the tools and resources to be successful.

Arturo D. Frazier

District: Compton USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

As a young child in the ministry I began playing the drum set at our local church at the age of 8. I also performed in many Christmas and Easter plays. The most meaningful experience for me as a child was when I played Jesus Christ during our Resurrection Sunday play. This meaningful because of my interest at an early age in the story revolving around the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

Develop Afterschool Programs that Empower and Expose CUSD Gifted Talented Student

English Language development
Establish a English language writing lab with writing coaches and college interns who specialize in test taking and short essay writing

Closing the achievement gap
Establish focused tutorial programs for students whose tests scores reveal poor achievement in specific subjects or subject details

Preparation for college and meaningful careers
Establish partnerships with colleges programs by way of introducing college preparation curriculum along with college tours

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

The role of a School Board member in making sure students have a broad range of study is to be actively involved and have up-to-date information on curriculum developments nation-wide. Board members should regularly attend seminars, conferences and workshops that revolve around giving our students exposure to every field of human endeavor and the academic paths to prepare them adequately upon reaching destination.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

One of the creative solutions that I would propose is to evaluate each area of the LCFF and LCAP by using the S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis business model as measuring tool of effectiveness as it relates to achieving our state and federal mandates and requirements for overall academic achievement. I would recommend that the Board of Trustees through the Superintendent of Schools use this formula bi-annually for checks and balances as it relates to accomplishing our goals and fulfilling the overall vision of the Compton Unified School District.

Donna Freedman

District: Rowland Unified (shared w/ Orange County)
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

I played the violin when I was very young, but as an adult I had a very meaningful experience: I’m an elementary school teacher that is in my 36th year of teaching. I have taken many field trips to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. They offer free entrance fee for fifth graders. They give you a dance routine to teach our students. After the performance, we all dance the dance that we taught our students. The fifth graders come from all over the county. What a great experience for my students!

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

I believe that when students have ELD teachers should target their needs Usually teachers teach from a box or a lesson book but I believe lessons should be what do the students actually need to achieve higher development on the CELDT test and in English Language Skills Possibly after school lessons to help the students that are falling behind or struggling may help There should be classes or clubs for preparation for college and have information at all high schools about meaningful careers Each high school should have a few career awareness big assemblies and bring people from several jobs.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

I believe it is the role of the Board to ensure that ALL students receive the education they deserve. We should have surveys to see what students want, or if they have ideas of classes that aren’t currently offered that they may be interested in. For instance, American Sign Language which is now meeting the requirement of a foreign language. If it is a good thing for the students, then the Board should be ready to approve it. The Board should be open to all ideas and research them.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

The music program was taken out of the elementary schools in RUSD, I think it should be brought back. Possibly lower class size or more hours for aides to help struggling students Struggling students are a priority to try to get them back on track, use the money for after school programs to assist in remediation I also think field trips would be a great educational experience for students Currently at the elementary level only 6th grade goes on field trips at RUSD.

Kelly Kent

District: Culver City USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

I played 1st flute for the Friends Seminary Chamber Players, and performed in a number of school wide events. Practicing and performing marked my high school years, and in particular I remember the pride I felt at my progress and improving skill level. My persistence and effort culminated in the performance of a flute duet at my high school graduation where parents and peers alike expressed joy and support for my success. I know that without this experience, I would have been less motivated to succeed in school and certainly would have been less disciplined as a student.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

One of the biggest barriers to improved achievement outcomes is student engagement. Art has been shown to enhance student engagement by connecting children more deeply to the world around them. This along with the unique skill sets afforded to children exposed to the arts explains why art instruction has also been shown to narrow the achievement gap. As project-driven work corresponds to Common Core standards, enhances student motivation and is an excellent means of incorporating art into all academic content there is a significant need to rank arts education as among the highest of student outcome driven priorities.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

Reinvigorating the arts in schools takes leadership and partnership. If a school board favors the most progressive vision for education that research-based best practices will allow, the educational services department will take on the mandate to implement the latest in innovative instructional pedagogies. As arts education has been shown to broaden the course of study, enhance pupil outcomes and strengthen school climate, it is the imperative of any forward-thinking board of education to push through higher standards for arts education. Additionally, as a city parks commissioner, I am well poised to nurture collaboration with the city for cultural resources.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

A number of districts in California are designing LCAPs to support arts as a means of improving student outcomes. CCUSD’s current LCAP does allocate for increased arts spending in the next 3-year period, but teacher training is not included in this projection. I am interested in having the district include in its increased support of arts a significant teacher-training component, where teachers receive professional development in the arts specifically to support the needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and English language learners, populations that are currently suffering from a lower graduation rate.

Maria Villalobos Morgan

District: El Monte Union High*
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

As a student, I had a wonderful 3rd grade teacher. She used music as a tool to teach us the vowel sounds in Spanish. I also learned the names of the different dinosaurs through music as well.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

I would suggest using music to learn words, sounds, and meaning of words for the English language. In groups, students could work together and create songs that will help them remember key concepts. For preparation for college and/or meaningful careers, I would assign students a social media project where they could create a either a PowerPoint presentation or visual art media board and present their research.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

I believe that the role of the School Board is to suggest and ask that the district look at providing access to a broad range of study to the students. As keepers of the students education, it is important that board members remember that students learn through a variety of ways, and our job is to ensure that we provide as many opportunities for them as possible.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

It is very important to include all of the stakeholders in creating the goals for the districts LCAP. By including all stakeholders, everyone will feel personally responsible in achieving those goals since they played an active role in creating them. This will allow everyone the opportunity to work together, plan, and organize detailed steps to achieve the goals in the eight priority areas. I would encourage the collaboration of the public and private sector to ensure the goals are met and utilize resources available. Students will also write out their own personal goals that are aligned to the LCAP goals.

Georgia Hallimn

District: Keppel Union
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

I remember having art in High School. I remember learning how to draw a picture then paint it. 40 years later I still have that picture. We did papier-mache I made a viking ship Because of my joy in art class throughout my years I have enjoyed working with many crafts with family and friends. I was fortunate to have seen my daughter to receive some art in elementary school. At 17 now in High School she has become an okay artist. Only if our elementary schools could do more how better our children could be before High School.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

Because of the Common Core now being implemented in our schools. Teachers have the ability to use different forms of art to help our student to visualize their lessons. Thee are so many ways teachers can have students look at pictures, draw pictures, build object , create from their imaginations. All of these can help students with their academics and get them ready for future careers.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

As students start out out in elementary school they don’t know what field of careers they won’t to go into. If starting out in elementary school giving a students the opportunity to experience different programs such as academics, sports, art, science, music. Our children can have a chance to see and find something that excites them. Helps them to wont to stay in school, to learn about the world. Not just their back yard. As a board member I can help to give this excitement to our students.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

Talking to our students, parents, staff and our community members. Finding out what is important to them. Then bring all this back to the board to discuss the importance of what everyone wants to help better our children’s education. then to hold fast to what everyone wants. With the board members we can prioritizes and set about making those things happen.

Linda Boyd

District: Glendora USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

My family was very musical and I was gifted with natural harmonic ability. I also played piano and violin but my love was for singing. I sang duets with my sister at school events, in plays, at church and public events where we were invited to sing. Being invited to sing with a large reputable youth choir was the thrill of a lifetime that I will cherish forever. In addition to music I have a strong appreciation for great art and visit museums and exhibits when traveling. I see that my children have these same opportunities and use them.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

The achievement gap can be closed by believing in the learning ability of all students, holding them all to high standards, and providing additional resources to that end. The new state funding formula focuses additional funding on ELL and minority students to improve their performance. I support vocational career training in addition to preparation for college. Many students want to begin their career after high school. We should support and develop training options transitioning students into careers as electricians, auto mechanics, government, or other meaningful and socially useful employment. We should help them make good choices in jobs and life.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

It is critical that the School Board design the curriculum to ensure that students at all levels are given opportunities to participate in the arts. Budgets should include allowances for all areas of music and art to be offered and taught to students. The School Board should also offer opportunities for public performance as part of this curriculum and budget for this as well. It should be recognized that arts/music programs are important to each child’s education. As a school board Member, I will advocate for and encourage involvement with the arts as an essential component of a good education.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

The LCFF provides additional funding for ELLs, low income and foster youth. Those funds should be used for teaching resources directed squarely at those groups as required by the LCAP. One creative way to stimulate these students is though interaction with the arts. All children have some form of artistic ability and the arts are an alternative way to reach these kids and improve their academic performance. By integrating the performing and visual arts into the enriched educational curriculum funded by concentration grants in LCFF and woven into the LCAP for these target groups, we improve their lives/performance.

Diana Padilla

District: Compton USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

I remember growing up in Wilmington, CA. My elementary school offered several drama and dance classes that took us to competitions. I participated in all and enjoyed being part of something fun were I can express myself and feel included.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

Well, in my current course of studying of child development I have come to know that in order to meaningfully educate a child we must embrace and fullfil basic needs of developmental areas. Children must be supported in a safe, nourtouring and loving environment so they can learn. Staff and parents must work together to bring peace in our schools through extra curricular activities, art, drama, sports, music, and enthusiastic motivating classes for all its school community. Only when we all work towards a same goal is when we will achieve high expectations for all our children.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

I believe the role of a school board is to ensure the school system is in compliance with state laws, that the dollars are spend on the classrooms and that ethical procedures are being followed by all its stakeholders. The board must be willing to volunteer with passion and dedication to help other and specially the children of the district they have pledged to serve. This body should be bringing resources to its campuses so that our children have the opportunities to compete in this 21st century. Our kids have a dream!

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

All of the 8 areas this formula targets are geared towards supporting the student. It is a vision of success that was written from the principles of child development. Our kids are not successful because the current system has fallen into a careless mind. Starting with the proper assigned teachers who are well supported in the class to implement meaningful educational context and delivery. Parental involvement to continue the rigors into their homes to keep our children engaged. Bring a safe environment that will allow our children to digest knowledge and boost student outcome.