Good afternoon, everyone!
I want to start by saying how truly honored I am to stand before you today as a candidate for PVUSD School Board Trustee for Area 3. This community has shaped me, guided me, and inspired me. It’s given me so much, and now it’s my turn to give back, to ensure our schools become spaces where every single student has the opportunity to thrive.
But, as we know, our district faces significant challenges. Teacher burnout is at an all-time high. Nationally, almost 60% of teachers report job-related stress, and nearly 22% say they struggle to cope. Latino and Chicano teachers, who are pillars in our schools, are leaving the profession at alarming rates. They’re overwhelmed by low pay, excessive workloads, and a lack of support. One teacher put it best when they said, “I put in more than I get out, and the stress is affecting every aspect of my life.” This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a cry for help from the people we rely on to shape the future of our children.
The burden isn’t only on our teachers. Our students are also struggling. Student mental health is in crisis. Over 44% of high school students report feeling persistent sadness, and 20% have seriously considered suicide. Let that sink in, nearly half of our students are battling profound mental health challenges, and it’s time we face this issue head-on. I’m committed to bringing full-time counselors and social workers into every school to make sure our kids, and our teachers, get the help they desperately need.
And that brings me to an epidemic that too many of us know far too well, bullying. Nearly 1 in 5 students report being bullied on school property. Bullying isn’t just playground taunts; it’s causing real harm, mentally, emotionally, and academically. Students who are bullied are twice as likely to miss school and underperform. We must create schools where every student feels safe and supported, and we must implement comprehensive programs to address bullying, not just as a disciplinary issue, but as a social-emotional learning opportunity.
Now, I know these challenges may seem overwhelming, but I believe we can overcome them. And that’s where my vision for PVUSD comes in:
First, the 4-Day Academic Week: It’s time to rethink how we structure the school week. Imagine this, four days of academics, and Fridays reserved for what matters: extracurricular activities, internships, and community engagement. Students partnering with organizations like White Hawk, Milpa, and Arte Del Corazón. Building skills that go beyond the classroom. Gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for the real world. Teachers, too, will benefit. They’ll have the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays, focusing on professional development and avoiding the burnout that’s driving so many out of the profession.
Second, Media Literacy: Our children are growing up in a digital age, bombarded with information, and many don’t know how to navigate it. We need to teach them. From elementary school, we’ll show our kids how to be safe online, how to protect their privacy and engage responsibly with technology. And by middle and high school, we’ll teach them how to critically analyze media, understand its impact, and discern between truth and misinformation. Media literacy is more than a skill; it’s essential for creating informed, responsible citizens.
Third, a Student Bill of Rights: Too often, our students feel powerless, especially when it comes to disciplinary decisions and their role in school governance. Under my plan, that changes. A Student Bill of Rights will give every student the right to due process and a voice in the decisions that affect them. This isn’t just about discipline; it’s about empowerment. And it’s time we start exploring voting rights for 16-year-olds in school board elections. If they’re old enough to be impacted by these decisions, they’re old enough to have a say. But I don’t want to stop there. We must address the mental health crisis that continues to ravage both our students and our teachers. Post-COVID, the stress, the anxiety, the depression, these aren’t just statistics. These are real issues affecting real people in our community. Over 37% of high school students reported poor mental health during the pandemic. And almost 60% of teachers are experiencing burnout. We need more than thoughts and prayers, we need full-time mental health professionals in every school, and comprehensive support systems for our teachers so they can focus on what they do best: teaching and guiding our children.
Bullying and low attendance are interconnected issues that are robbing our students of their futures. Students who are bullied are twice as likely to miss school, which leads to lower academic performance and disengagement. I will implement programs focused on social-emotional learning, fostering positive relationships, and building a culture of respect and inclusion.
And let me be clear, we need new leadership. The PVUSD board has faced its share of controversies and it’s time for a change. It’s time for leadership that listens, that acts, and that prioritizes transparency and accountability. This election is about restoring trust and bringing forward new ideas that meet the needs of every student, teacher, and parent in this district.
I leave you with a quote from Alice Walker: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Our students, our teachers, our community, you have power. Together, we have the power to change the future of education in PVUSD. But it starts here, and it starts now.
Thank you for your support, and remember to Vote Medina for PVUSD Area 3 for a better Mañana!
And together, we can make real change happen!