El Paso Matters – Q&A: Canutillo ISD trustee candidates in Nov. 3 general election

Breanne Barnes: I have about 12 years of experience with curriculum from classroom experience both in Texas and some in Ohio. I have helped oversee the budget in Canutillo and have tried to identify wasteful spending practices while there. Other than that, I oversee my household budget and budgeting for volunteer based projects. My time analyzing and setting policy has taken place on the board over the last four years (almost).

Cindy Andrade: Did not respond

Ryan Escamilla: Did not respond

Pedro Galaviz: As a former teacher, principal, director of secondary education, and superintendent, I have extensive experience with curriculum, budgets and policy. I have led academic improvement efforts, overseen district budgets and major capital projects, and implemented board policy. I understand a trustee’s role: set policy and direction, monitor results and finances, and hold the superintendent accountable — not manage daily operations.

Sergio Martinez: Did not respond

Guadalupe Montanez: I have worked in public education in the administrative role for over 16 years. Before becoming an administrator I served as an educator for over seven years and coached volleyball and basketball at the middle and high school level.   

Brandi Stevenson: Did not respond

Blanca Trout: My experience is based on my role as a graduate master trustee with standards by the Texas Association of School Boards, where we learn strategies for a highly effective educational curriculum that we can apply into practice for the benefit of the students. I have been elected school district trustee for the past eight years plus, during that time I have analyzed, approved and adopted the budget and local policies with ethical values for the benefit of students, teachers and employees for the proper functioning of the Canutillo school district.

Patricia Mendoza: I retired from the Canutillo School District after 33 years of service, specifically from the superintendent’s office. While employed by the school district I had the opportunity to work with the board on development of policies and overseeing the expenditures of the superintendent’s office.

Breanne Barnes: Grants are one of the first places we need to look to increase revenue. I believe the district should invest in a grant writer to help with this. I constantly advocate and ask questions about the spending within the district. As one of the fiduciaries of the district, we have to make sure that every dollar is going to impact students and their growth in some way. We need to cut the excess and stop frivolous spending of tax-payer dollars. It all adds up!

Cindy Andrade: Did not respond

Ryan Escamilla: Did not respond

Pedro Galaviz: I would prioritize spending that directly supports student learning, safety, and retaining quality teachers and staff. Before reducing classroom resources, I would examine administrative costs, contracts, duplication of services, staffing efficiencies and programs that are not producing measurable results. Every expenditure should answer two questions: Does it improve outcomes for students and is it a responsible use of taxpayer dollars?

Sergio Martinez: Did not respond

Guadalupe Montanez: With per-student funding remaining unchanged while costs continue to rise, our students and educators are bearing the greatest impact. Prioritizing spending that directly supports student learning and academic achievement is vital.  Every position and program should have a clear, documented purpose Before reducing resources in classrooms or on campuses, the district should examine administrative costs, duplication and positions that may not be essential to student success.

Brandi Stevenson: Did not respond

Blanca Trout: Always overseeing the proper functioning of the budget, prioritizing the students’ needs especially protecting the students in special education and the mental health department. That is my priority! Also, cutting unnecessary and nonessential expenditures that do not benefit the students’ education.

Patricia Mendoza: I believe that student achievement and classroom instruction should be protected as much as possible. I would prioritize teachers, instructional materials, tutoring, special education and other services that support students and help them succeed.

Breanne Barnes: Closing or consolidating schools is never an easy decision, as it impacts students, parents, staff and the community. These are lives we are talking about, so we need to make sure these conversations are not just thrown around lightly. Every dollar has to be accounted for to see if these big changes are needed. We also have to consider future growth and where that growth is expected to impact. 

Cindy Andrade: Did not respond

Ryan Escamilla: Did not respond

Pedro Galaviz: The board should consider enrollment trends, operating costs, facility conditions, academic impact, transportation, neighborhood growth, and how any change would affect students and families. No decision this significant should be made without meaningful community input. The board should share the data, explain the options, listen to affected families and staff and consider alternatives before making a final decision.

Sergio Martinez: Did not respond

Guadalupe Montanez: Overall costs of any school closure has to be looked at, specifically. Communities should have clear understanding of what this will entail and the consequences for their children. These decisions shouldn’t be made on personal thoughts, but actual data and studies to ensure our communities are being served efficiently. CISD is currently building new campuses to help registration and enrollment so we need to look into what our students need to be academically and emotionally successful. 

Brandi Stevenson: Did not respond

Blanca Trout: The board considers demographics, attendance, enrollment and the high costs for maintenance and operations. The minority students often face greater hardships associated with being reassigned to distant schools, parents and teachers daily routines are also disrupted. The remediation for this process is to provide them with good schools with adequate spaces with a great academic environment and social support including safe transportation.

Patricia Mendoza: I feel that the school district needs to be completely transparent with those affected communities. There needs to be effective communication with the community. Parent and/or community meetings must be held and present the problems facing the district with possible solutions and/or strategies.

Breanne Barnes: First, we need to involve parents. We need to make sure students are strong in their foundational skills. You cannot build new knowledge on a crumbling or unsteady foundation. If students need more time to cover concepts for deep understanding, we need to give teachers the ability to pivot and adjust as their students need. We need to have the same high expectations for all students and give opportunities for growth and enrichment whenever possible (afterschool, intercessions, etc).

Cindy Andrade: Did not respond

Ryan Escamilla: Did not respond

Pedro Galaviz: The district should identify struggling students early, provide targeted instruction and intervention, ensure a strong curriculum, and give teachers the support and resources they need. The board should set clear academic goals and monitor progress throughout the year using student growth, proficiency, achievement gaps, attendance,= and other meaningful measures. If strategies are not producing results, the district should adjust them rather than wait until year-end.

Sergio Martinez: Did not respond

Guadalupe Montanez: The district needs to continue to provide support to campuses.  I have seen how some campuses receive more assistance than others, are prioritized and not handled with the same favor as the rest. If our district as a whole is to succeed then we need to ensure that all campuses are receiving the guidance and support that is actually needed. Saying that we are there to support and ACTUALLY, PHYSICALLY doing it is totally different.  

Brandi Stevenson: Did not respond

Blanca Trout: Early identification of students needing help is essential, and to provide them with academic support, personalized tutoring and summer recovery programs, adaptations and special accommodations such an extended time on exams for students who require help, taking measures analyzing, monitoring and request information from teachers through accountability measures, evaluating students progress through academic assessment, it would be a measure to evaluate their progress.

Patricia Mendoza: Canutillo ISD has an excellent curriculum department, in my opinion. Therefore I would look to the experts to provide solutions to improve student academic outcomes.

Breanne Barnes: As individual trustees, we do have a responsibility to uphold the laws and policies that are in place and speak up when something seems off. We have an obligation to do our homework for agenda items before a meeting, not just seeing it for the first time at the meeting. We need to ask questions and seek clarification. When we disagree with a board member or a majority of the board, we can clarify why and vote however we feel is best. However, we should always remain respectful and professional!

Cindy Andrade: Did not respond

Ryan Escamilla: Did not respond

Pedro Galaviz: An individual trustee has no authority to act alone; the board governs collectively. My responsibility would be to study the issues, ask questions, listen to the community, and bring an independent perspective to the boardroom. If I disagree with the majority, I will respectfully express my position and the reasons for it. Once the board acts, I will respect the decision while continuing to fulfill my responsibility to monitor results and hold leadership accountable.

Sergio Martinez: Did not respond

Guadalupe Montanez: A board member is there to support the district as a whole. We are not here to support one person. We are here to give students, teachers and the community a voice. This is why we are unpaid elected officials. We should not be serving on the board for personal/political agendas. Our students come first. There should be no disagreement or theatrics if we are truly making decisions based on student success.  

Brandi Stevenson: Did not respond

Blanca Trout: It involves holding your own point of view, backed by facts and evidence, considering aligning with the school district educational policies, values and standards. Always looking for a possibility to reach a consensus that acknowledges the validity of both sides with a constructive and respectful tone. We may agree or disagree, just not to take it personally and ensure that my priority is always to achieve a common good for the benefit of the students.

Patricia Mendoza: If I disagree with a decision made by the majority of the Board I would, as a team of 8, support the decision and move on!