In the race for Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee for Area 5, Loretta Zimmerman is again challenging incumbent Judy Franco, with both candidates trying to use Franco’s 30-year board tenure to their advantage. Zimmerman says, “30 years is enough,” while Franco says her experience is especially valuable to the district in these financially challenging times.
Both candidates took time out from their campaigns to answer our 10 Questions this week. Excerpted answers are presented here. For the candidates’ full answers, visit www.newportbeachindy.com.
They were interviewed by NB Indy Editor Roger Bloom.
1. Why are you running and why should people vote for you?
Franco: One would think that I would use the word “experience,” but although that is true, that is not the complete answer. The responsibilities that come with this position are perhaps the most interesting and challenging that anyone can ever imagine.
The amount of material that a board member has to assimilate is overwhelming. It takes years to understand the issues and all of the nuances. Each year I believe that I am better equipped to deal with these responsibilities and do the job better. The truth is, given the challenges that face Newport-Mesa in the next four years that experience, knowledge and vision do make a difference.
Zimmerman: My commitment is to be a responsive and effective school board trustee because I recognize it is the public I will serve as an elected official. I am running to bring my experience as the parent of five recent Newport-Mesa grads to bear on the issues facing the district today.
My goal is to provide quality comprehensive education in the most cost–effective utilization of education tax dollars. I will work vigorously on behalf of students so that they will be successful to compete in college and careers. A vote for me will ensure comprehensive quality education across the district that our students deserve and our communities support.
2. What are the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity now facing the district?
Zimmerman: The biggest challenge is the unprecedented statewide funding uncertainty facing the district. In spite of budget cuts, I will work to find innovative ways to improve academic achievement.
The biggest opportunity is for the district to do things in a different or more efficient way, like eliminating waste or duplication to save tax dollars. In spite of budget cuts, I believe that we can still provide 1st class education to every student across the district.
Franco: The budget that the state just passed is going to be in trouble as early as December. While we have been fiscally prudent and recognized that this is the case, difficult decisions lie ahead. The District must be open and honest with all of our stakeholders about the issues and involve all in the decisions that must be made.
I believe that we must continue to operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for all of our students is continuous, job embedded learning for ourselves. I am committed to this concept and strive continuously to be a listener, a realist, a collaborator and an advocate for our students, parents, teachers, and staff.
3. What is your all-time favorite book, and what are you reading currently?
Franco: My all-time favorite book is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin. I am currently reading “A Whole Mind: Why Right Brainers will Rule the Future” by Daniel H. Pink.
Zimmerman: The book I am currently reading is “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell which is applicable to student success and achievement. If given the right opportunity and circumstances, a person or a student can achieve phenomenal success. If opportunities are not provided or are ignored, then less is achieved.
My favorite book is any book that has a good mystery to it!
4. There is a big gap between the STAR results in Newport Beach schools and most of those in Costa Mesa. What can and should the district do to address that disparity?
Zimmerman: First of all, the district must have a mindset that mediocrity and the status quo are not acceptable. The district has tried interventions, but it is time to move to the next level of support for the students. There are other public school models like magnet schools, basics plus schools, academy (arts and science) schools that turn around failing schools, and result in improved academic learning. They require parental participation and parent buy-in on homework, rules, and structure.
It is time to think outside the box, make the commitment, and development new strategies to transform schools and lift student academic performance across the district.
Franco: The teachers who teach at the schools across the District are excellent and care deeply about the students they teach. The pre-schools located at nine Costa Mesa schools are invaluable to the students in Costa Mesa. The students are better prepared and ready to learn in kindergarten.
While some schools in Costa Mesa have lower test scores, others are doing quite well, such as Victoria and Sonora. We must ask the question, what are these schools doing differently?
The parents at all of our schools need to be involved with their children’s education. The opening of the new Parent Center at Rea Elementary this week is a great beginning of that effort on the Westside of Costa Mesa to help parents to be involved in the education of their students.
5. Do state curricula and test requirements help or interfere with the ability of teachers to educate kids? How?
Franco: I believe that they both help and interfere. Yes, I believe in accountability, but the hours spent on state testing takes away from classroom instruction. The emphasis of the federal Department of Education on the concept that one size fits all is not a sure sign of the success of students in our classrooms. In all too many instances, the test has become the main measurement of a teacher’s and student’s success and not just a part of it.
Zimmerman: Testing and state requirements are a part of education today for better or for worse. When students have engaging, relevant classes and high-quality teachers, they will be successful. Testing provides a benchmark for progress, but over-testing stifles creative and critical thinking opportunities in education.
6. Do you think the district’s schools do more to excite students about learning or to turn them off to learning? How?
Zimmerman: It is a challenge to excite some students about academics and learning, but I believe Newport-Mesa has exceptionally qualified, dedicated teachers who work hard to educate, inspire, and encourage students to reach their full potential.
Franco: Mostly excite. Our District has the lowest dropout rate of any comparable school district in the nation. There are always students who are turned off by education for many reasons that have little to do with the schools. Our challenge is to help those students overcome their difficulties so that they will be excited by learning as well.
7. If elected, what would be your top three priorities while on the board?
Franco: First, doing what is right for each student.
Second, support open and frank communication between the District and all of our stakeholders about the issues that we will face as the budget crises gets even worse, the further intrusion on local governance, the expanding role of the U.S. Department of Education with its emphasis on one size fits all.
Third, spending our resources in the best possible way to ensure fiscal and staff accountability.
Zimmerman: My three goals include,:
No. 1: Provide the financial oversight to ensure that the limited funds are spent directly in the classroom that benefits student learning and achievement.
No. 2: Continue to fund and support a broad range of programs for students in the arts, music, athletics, increased technology and science opportunities, and college prep. Also, develop a plan to implement a vocational / tech/ business track for students who are not college bound.
No. 3: Work in collaboration with the stakeholders – parents, teachers, district staff, administration and Board members – to tackle the issue of achievement gap in the underperforming schools.
8. Did you have a teacher who changed your life? Explain.
Zimmerman: My 11th grade English teacher who set high expectations challenged and inspired me to work beyond my capability. She helped open the door to higher education, including attaining a master’s degree. She also instilled in me the drive that you can accomplish whatever goals you set with hard work and perseverance.
Franco: I had a history teacher for two years in high school who had a huge impact on my life. My parents were both teachers, but it is she who made me want to be a teacher. She made me see how a teacher can make a difference in the life of each child he/she touches. Thank you, Miss Turner for opening the door to what has been my lifetime goal, the education of our t.
9. What can the district do to cope with funding uncertainty and cutbacks?
Franco: We must continue to look at programs that are not meeting the needs of our students. We must look for grants and outside partnerships that will enhance the education of our students at the level that this community deserves.
Our budget must be balanced and we must protect the education of our students. Together we will continue to be a flagship school district in the state and in the nation. We can be, we must be for our students.
Zimmerman: First of all, it is vital to communicate and engage the community at large in setting the district’s priorities, and if necessary get input on proposed cutbacks. I am not in favor of new taxes or school bonds to cover funding gaps, but think we can manage by redistributing our existing resources.
10.What is your favorite dessert?
Zimmerman: Key Lime Pie topped with a dab of whipped cream, and I have the best recipe straight from a key lime pie shop in Key West, Fla.!
Franco: Apple pie a la mode.
