Editor's Note: This is part 2 of the final Silver School Board Candidate Forum, held Thursday, Jan. 29

By Margaret Hopper

The last Silver School Board candidate forum, sponsored by Community Access Television of Silver City, KOOT FM 88.1 Radio and Silver City Daily Press was held January 29, 2015.
After a short break, the questioning resumed.

Question: Technology changes so quickly, how would you prepare students for future changes four to eight years later?

McMillan: Our tech department has done an excellent job on hardware, with grants and donations, as from Sandia Labs. Continue that. Keep spending in that area. Give teachers the tools.

Gutierrez: Communicate with universities and institutions; keep a direct link with them. They seem to know the direction things are going. Keep kids growing with technology and using it at school.

Petty: We've done that. Our tech department has upgraded our internet service. If we keep them on the cutting edge, our technology grows. They tell us to rent software, not buy it. We go step by step and they are with us. We listen to them. We have a fantastic tech department.

Vasquez: Empower our teachers; make training available to them. Watch other school boards. Network with them and see what they do. It has to be the teachers who will help the students.

Question: How would you equalize the distribution of technology the schools get?

Gutierrez: School sizes differ but class sizes are relative. We are behind. Our junior highs could use better technology; we focus on the high school. Balance it out and leverage for the money. We won't get it from the state or federal governments. Be Creative. Let kids teach kids. To keep up, teach the young kids how to do it. We do need additional funding.

McMillan: The board needs to approve a technology plan and implement a schedule, step by step, with the help of the technology department and administration. We need to make certain that technology improvement occurs at every school, with the funds available.

Vasquez: It's simple. The funds are on the ledger, in black and white. Petition the administration to provide information campus by campus. Use the inventory. We do need a comprehensive plan but we don't have the funds to add additional staff. Use existing staff. Technology staff and the administrators are not teachers. It must be local staff. We'd need to know what each campus gets annually.

Petty: The State establishes that by the PARCC Test. One-half of any given class has to have enough computer access, by law. That's the reason we were scrambling and why we have a tech department. They keep us up to date. Families may not have much at home. School provides it; we are in the process.

Question: There is not enough money. Would you do fundraisers to help with board expenses?

Vasquez: I am not fond of them. I would bear the expenses as a board member, myself.

Petty: I could do fundraisers!

McMillan: It could be a great idea; like dinner with the board. I wouldn't be against it.

Gutierrez: There are so many that I think people are "fund-raisered" out.

Question: How would you keep the superintendent from circumventing the board and making decisions that the board really should?

Gutierrez: Have good communications with the superintendent and staff; the board approves expenses and sees things that are being done. There are reports. If a superintendent did that, it could be done, but it would be difficult to get something past me. Communication with the school is my duty.

McMillan: Communications are the key. Ask questions, don't be a rubber stamp.

Petty: First, be careful. I don't micromanage and tell the superintendent how to do his job. Drop by, talk, keep an open door policy with staff. As constituents they can come and talk with us.

Vasquez: The relationships on the board should be good, honest, united and clear. The board has direct communication with the superintendent. There should be no violations of clear directives. The superintendent is responsible to the board; the board is responsible to the community.

Question: How would you prevent the loss of a year's time due to remediation to get into college? When will students be properly prepared?

McMillan: Look at core areas and improve them. That burden goes all the way back to elementary school. Be sure the process is sound and teachers' instructions are adequate. No students falling through the cracks, missing out on the education they deserve.

Gutierrez: Be testing for core lacks, there could be a flaw in the system. Take dual credit classes. Keep GPA up, work to get ahead. Prepare in high school, be a step ahead.

Vasquez: Dialogue with the superintendent. Make assessments. Make the associate superintendent aware of goals and start a plan to address that goal.

Petty: Mr. Pool and I started VoTech. It created dual paths. It has to be the student's goals, not ours or a teacher's. There are differences in math, English and technical writing. We didn't settle for a medium level. We will help both VoTech and college bound. We can raise the standards for both.

Question: At what level should VoTech and entrepreneurial skills start? Why should schools determine this status?

Petty: We looked at studies. Canada had the fifth best VoTechs in the world. They used dual paths, starting at 7th grade. It's not about us; it's student goals. I want them to have the opportunity.

Vasquez: Entrepreneurship ... the word is being used a lot in New Mexico. At Jose Barrios, years ago, teachers set up a "store" selling pencils, erasers, and students played as clerks. There is no age limit on starting these skills. Students need the encouragement.

Gutierrez: I work with economic development and want to get my certification. Training is on entrepreneurial processes. Our local schools have some experience in this, and it is important. Implement the programs, spark the interest. Junior high students are ready to turn their dreams into something real. Start small. Show the benefit. It will grow.

McMillan: Starting in elementary might be a great time to encourage those skill sets. A concessions stand or fundraisers could be excellent opportunities for starting students. At junior high level, they could get out into the community and explore those interests, continuing them into high school.

Question: Do you think middle or high school students could decide what classes to take? Or would they take the easy way out?

McMillan: Some could choose electives; they need to take core classes and not skip the progression of classes they need, but they could have some opportunities to choose.

Gutierrez: Yes, take the core classes, but choose a path that is beneficial. We should add communications skills. Our kids don't have much past Facebook or texting. Technology without communicating our ideas is not good. Smart engineers and scientists have to have those skills, too. Give them some choices but keep them reasonable. Kids tend to take the easy way out.

Vasquez: Middle school or high school students should be required to take core classes. They need guidance; counselors keep track of what they have and what they need to progress on to graduation. They couldn't do this by themselves; they still need guidance.

Petty: Core classes are required for graduation. The important thing is path choice, and that could change later, but it's important to listen to them and their parents. Those decisions have to be made, but listen to students' desires, too.

Question: How much have you spent on your election so far, and where did your donations come from?

Vasquez: Approximately $1,500 on post cards, signs, and newspaper ads. I have used my money and that of family and friends.

Petty: I've used about $40 given by the Republican Federated Women and it was for card stock.

Gutierrez: Nothing but a few tanks of gas. I have talked with people. Otherwise, I haven't spent a dime.

McMillan: I've spent $42.42 for post cards, and that was my own purchase.

Question: Do they teach spelling in school? That's just a question. I thought I'd "acks". What would you do as an ambassador for the schools to get parents more involved in their educations?

Gutierrez: I'm busy! But with four kids in Cliff, I'm a basketball coach for young students. How do I find time? I make time. I tell parents to make time, make sure kids have the education they need.

McMillan: I agree; you dedicate the time. Engage with teachers, principals, administrators. Don't wait for a problem. Go in and ask how to help.

Petty: Listen to them rather than tell them. Ask their goals for their children. Another thing, find a successful person and ask him how he did it. Mr. Lougee at Stout Elementary has about 52 parents volunteering. That's a 600 percent increase. So, ask someone who is successful at it.

Vasquez: A couple of town councilors have had town meetings; you could invite a parent to a Town Hall. Use respectful communication, I think they want to be heard. On Martin Luther King Day, there was an essay contest offered to students. 201 essays were received, mostly from Silver Consolidated School District. Students and families were invited; wonderful participation. We could take lessons from Cliff, too. Parents and families participate well at Cliff.

Question: Transparency is a big issue in the District. There may not be Open Meetings Act violations or budget problems, but the public perception is otherwise. What means will you take in the future to assure the trust for the school board?

McMillan: The board must be open and honest with budget issues in board meetings. Let the public know. Candy Milam's presentations last year were very beneficial. Maybe put information on websites or in the newspapers. Make it accessible and easy to evaluate.

Gutierrez: There are interpretations of the Open Meetings Act. People have their own perceptions. The board has to follow the law, of course. It is easy to make a mistake; if you do, fix it. The Attorney General's office says to do that; sweeping it under the rug makes it worse. Fix it. Be accessible.

Vasquez: The school board could acknowledge that they could be more responsive, answer promptly and clearly. Don't appear to violate the Open Meetings Act. Be careful how you gather, and when you do, put the notice in the newspaper. Be honest, forthright, don't shut the public out.

Petty: A situation we were in was that our lawyer told us we couldn't talk about an issue unless it was on the agenda. We can't discuss anything not on it. People got the idea we were hiding something, but by law, we couldn't discuss what they wanted if it was not on the agenda. The accusation is written on the Attorney General's website. The statements of every board member will be there, too, very soon. I have to tell people we cannot discuss some topics, if they are not on the agenda. Like with the budget, if it is legal to show, I will give you my copy. That's transparency. But if it's not on the agenda, we can't speak about it in a meeting.

Question: At public meetings past and current, teachers testify that they are being bullied at work. What will you do to stop this?

Petty: We addressed that issue by bringing in an independent, outside, professional investigator. Courts would accept the results. We did all we could possibly do. Witnesses said what was being said was not true. Vasquez, Baca, Torres and I were at that session. But messages get turned and gossip gets going.

Vasquez: When a large number of staff files a formal complaint, it has substance to it; it cannot be dismissed. A hostile work environment indicates something is wrong. The board and the administration need to be educated about bullying. We could work for consensus on what we want in the district. The results of that investigation have not been made known. Employees want to see that the administration is taking action on that issue.

Gutierrez: I feel it is important that everybody gets training. People often do not understand policy. Go over it with employees. Often, when there are issues with staff, it is communication that is lacking. Bullying is different. Training is still indicated; administration still has to be reminded of its duties and how to handle situations. Not as a single member, but as a board, we might address how administration should handle those situations.

McMillan: Bullying is unacceptable under any circumstances. Go back to orientation and training, start at the top and work down. Make sure administrators are properly trained and have resources available to them. Provide staff training and reporting methods. The focus is on training and orientation.

Question: Many qualified, experienced teachers are retiring or just quitting; what is the reason?

Vasquez: It is the national, state and local environment; the demands of teaching to the test, the stress, the hostile work environment. We no longer have the pick of teachers. There is a shortage. The district could have a welcoming work environment, a good salary schedule to match their training and experience.

Petty: It's salaries. We aren't paying our teachers what they should be getting. We lobby in Santa Fe to get the salaries for our teachers, and to stop the unfunded mandates that keep us from having the money to give them raises. The testing is too much. I prefer project-based learning, which tests twice a year. There is stress, too. But with more to pay our teachers, I think we could keep them.

McMillan: Salaries and benefits are key, but positive working environment is important, too. Resources could help, things to provide teachers and staff. Get feedback from teachers, too.

Gutierrez: Lack of respect from students is another issue. They don't even respect their own parents; how would they show respect to a teacher? Cliff is a community-driven school. Look at it. Kids address their teachers with "yes, sir, yes, ma'am." Those teachers don't retire early. Some have been there over 35 years. It has something to do with the environment; not only from staff, but from students. Use those conditions of environment and try to spread it through the whole system. It's just different. If there is a problem with a child, the parent is the first one asking how to fix it. They don't fight or say they have a perfect child. It is difficult to deal with today's society, today's students.

Question: what is your opinion of unions?

Gutierrez: They work well because you have a negotiating tool. But there are issues, too, with disciplinary actions. There is representation, and people pay dues. I have no problem with unions. Some administrators have many problems; others have very few.

McMillan: Whether one or a hundred persons are involved, communications go a long way. Mutual respect and professionalism, and goals.

Vasquez: I believe in unions; employees need a voice. Employers don't always have the best interests of employees at heart: they look at the bottom line. Employees need a united voice.

Petty: I was a 20-year union rep with the Federal Aviation Administration; near the end, I was the union representative for all of New Mexico and west Texas. They are there to look out for the interests of the employees. Both salaries and treatment at the workplace were important.

Question: What is your stance on Common Core?

McMillan: There is good intent; it's overboard. We need to stand back and evaluate it. It may need modifications or changes.

Gutierrez: The emphasis should be on reading. But to make it the basis for graduating or teaching, that's a flaw.

Petty: I'm not happy with Common Core, or No Child Left Behind, either. The federal government should not be involved with our students. It needs to come back to state level, and the state needs to give back to the local level. The state needs to give back power to the local school boards, too. Boards will lobby for more local control and less testing. I don't like it, but Common Core is what we have been handed.

Vasquez: No research shows that it works. I am opposed to it. The federal government should not be telling us what to do, or the state, either. PARCC testing was decided by Hannah Skandera because she was on the board of the PARCC. That is a terrible injustice to districts, teachers, students and budgets. We need more local control in our district.

Question: According to the current board president, the school is $600,000 below its state-mandated reserves; faced with this incredible deficit, what plan do you have to restore the reserve, and would that include a reduction in force (RIF) to balance the budget?

Vasquez: With the present funding picture, (oil, copper, etc;) Silver could be looking at the worst of times. The state could come in and tell us we would have to RIF to get our reserves up. We should avoid using emergency funds, as the state could come in and take our PILT money. This is time for teamwork to make sure the administration makes appropriate purchases with appropriate funds. Each decision will affect students.

Petty: We won't be cutting staff; I'm not for that. We could have done that this year and avoided a lot of criticism. But we took a lot of heat. We did pull those debit cards. We saved thousands on that, alone. I do care about employees' jobs.

Gutierrez: As parents, we'd rather see too many teachers than not enough. Cutting jobs to balance the budget- you have to see that students are getting their education, first. There are needs; aging infrastructure costs money. That should be considered. The last thing is to cut personnel. You can make recommendations. You can question salaries, but take a look at that at budget time.

McMillan: Reducing force would be the last option. But savings on the discontinued credit cards and other things should be looked into and continued. We should save on expenditures without impacting services or staff, and save for the reserves.

Question: What one accomplishment are you most proud of, looking at four years from now.

Petty: I ran on VoTec, and it is initiated. We hope to be full blown, having dual path, by 2016. That will help both the college-bound students and those not going that way.

Vasquez: I want a productive, content, qualified staff, students supported, with dignity, in a happy, safe learning environment.

Gutierrez: Each student graduated and able to do what they wanted to do, on to the work force or on to higher learning, with confidence.

McMillan: Provide opportunities for students to do whatever they wanted to do. And the district to be on sound financial footing, and have a happy staff.

Closing statements; two minute limits.

Gutierrez: I do have a lot of experience, economic development, green energy, and can take on new assignments. The local government has confidence in me. I would bring a ton of experience and my work ethic to the board.

McMillan: It's an opportunity for community service. I will do the best job I can for students, staff, and community. I encourage all to continue to work in a positive manner, support our board, our schools.

Vasquez: One goal was to raise awareness about the board election and my $1,500 spent was well worth it. As of today, 301 votes have been cast. Students and staff are doing what they are supposed to do. They deserve a board and administration who supports them. The board should be constantly looking and evaluation situations for what can be done for students and staff.

Petty: I thank Lori, Stew and Nick; I registered some concerns over one forum. You have all been very professional. I thank you for the opportunity to be here. When we get in the midst of budget problems, we tend to forget that we are here for those students. We are here to give them the best education possible, and prepare them for the future that they want, and give them the tools to do it. And to give the tools to the staff to prepare them. That's what we are here for.