In their own words: City Council and mayor candidates on education

During the next week, the Desert Dispatch will run responses to several questions put to candidates running for the City Council and mayor. Each day, answers to a different question will run.
 MONDAY • CRIME
 TUESDAY • DEVELOPMENT
 WEDNESDAY • THE HOMELESS
 THURSDAY • EDUCATION
 FRIDAY • CANDIDATES ASK AND ANSWER THEIR OWN QUESTION
 SATURDAY • HEROES

The Barstow Unified School District has asked that the city and the district to work together more. How will you reach out to the school district?

City Council

Timothy Saenz
Southern California Regional Manager of Technical Services, Vulcan Materials Company

I would encourage our city staff (management) to meet with the Barstow Unified School District's staff (management) and ask the questions: How can we help you? How can we work together for the betterment of both the city and the school district? What role can the city play with insuring that all the children are in school obtaining the education they need?

I am willing to work with all school board members to ensure that are schools are safe for all children.

Marvin Ellis
Program Analyst, Fort Irwin

I would push for the establishment of an Education Committee. This committee would include representatives from the city of Barstow, Barstow Unified School District, and Barstow Community College, and the citizens of Barstow. The committee would be charged with the establishment of a “seamless education” program.

This program could be utilized to ensure that the high school and college have an established curriculum that compliments each other and provides our children an opportunity to work towards career goals as early as their freshman year in high school. It is my belief that by the time our children get to their first year of college they have already decided on a career path. This could lead to some college programs not being as successful as they could be based on the lack of exposure at an earlier level in the education process. The establishment of vocational programs that are job market driven and established at the freshman year of high school would provide our children a career path that starts early enough to improve their potential for gaining a living wage job after high school.

For those who continue to college some of these programs could provide a good educational base for those seeking a college degree. I would welcome any and all input from faculty and administrators at the school district and the college, as well as the citizens of our community.

Together we can ensure our children receive the quality education they deserve!

Richard Villegas
Law enforcement officer

I would first like to thank the teachers for their hard work and dedication to our children. I would also like to thank all of the parents' that take the time to invest in the well being of the youth.

With that being said, I find that talking to people is the best way to get to the “root” of the problem. The people belonging to the Barstow Unified School District know what they want to see changed. It is all about communicating those needs. Communication will lead us to the important issues and with a good understanding of what needs to be done so we can better work together. I agree that our school district and the city of Barstow should work together. We are talking about our children's education and thus their future.

If the school district needs something from the city to support our school, I will see that their voice is heard, and I will do everything I can to assist them. I think that we need to make the services that are available to our children better known and we also need to bring new services and activities to the youths of Barstow. It would be in our children's best interest if they could have after school programs, tutoring, activities, and safe places to go so that they can have a bright future.

Manuel Gilbert Gurule

I'm all for the City and Barstow Unified School District working together. I just don't know in what capacity they can. We are funded in totally different ways and accountable to our constituents in different matters. But if we can improve education in any way, then we should be open to that endeavor. I do not believe that we should continue the policies that were introduced in the late 1990s for the purpose of garnishing votes by using taxpayers money. Donating city funds to student projects or school projects. These are two separate agencies. Sending kids to Washington D.C., beauty pageants, or wherever, is a gift of public funds and should not be done by the city council.

City funds should be used to provide better school crosswalks and by increasing law enforcement to curtail drug trafficking around schools. In all, to keep our students safe. Programs such as the programs to prevent drug use are still necessary and should be re-instituted. These are only a few things we can do to help. But all should be done in the framework of city government.

Carmen Hernandez
Planning Commissioner

I will reach out to the BUSD by having a representative from the City Council act as a liaison with the school district so that we can share our concerns, combine resources, and deal with issues, as they occur, not after the fact. I will work to form a coalition to go after resources such as after school and tutoring program and obtaining those services.

For example: I attended a League of California Cities workshop where we were informed funds were available for after school programs due to a Senate Bill, but time was limited to apply. The city receives updates on legislation, as should the school district, informing them of possible funding available on a monthly basis. I would work to monitor funding for our city and school dealing with education.

Willie Hailey Sr.
Retired California Highway Patrolman

I believe it is a positive step forward for this community that the school district and the city of Barstow work together to make Barstow a better place for our children.

I served two consecutive terms as a Board of Trustees member to the school district. I believe that the City Council and the Board of Trustees should have bi-monthly meetings giving each government agency an opportunity to discuss and hopefully come with an idea to solve the problems that each agency face.

The success of Barstow Unified School District is very important to the city of Barstow and the growth of this community. The Board of Trustees and Dr. Massengale came up with an idea to improve the image of Barstow Union High School when I was a member, and that was Measure C, and thanks to the community of Barstow ,the Measure passed and now look at Barstow Union High School. Improving the high school also improves the image of the city of Barstow.

Barstow Unified School District and the city of Barstow working together is a step in the right direction for the entire community. I am in total support of the idea and making it happen.

Herchel “Gene” Deaton
Plant Operations Supervisor, Barstow Community Hospital

By sitting down with members of the district and finding out exactly what it is that the city could do to help our children and grandchildren get the best education we can provide and in an environment conducive to learning. Then do it!

Mayor

Lawrence Dale
Mayor of Barstow

I intend to become more involved with Barstow Unified School District and its board of directors and will help in any way possible in cooperative efforts.

Nathaniel Pickett
Retired Lieutenant Colonel/Transportation Consultant

I have been advocating this position for many years, and I salute the educators, school district, and the college.  Recently, I sent a letter to the school district requesting educators support to improve our education system, which would result in improved retention of young adults, reduced crime, better jobs, parenting guidance, shared resources, and community involvement that would support my vision, Better Barstow for a better quality of life.  I am willing to allocate resources that would result in young adult retention, better schools, and improved programs for our teenagers. If we are to make strives in this area, we cannot continue to provide lip service.  Pickett and the supporters of the community will hold workshops in five corners of Barstow and the outlined areas to address “quality of life.”

Joe Gomez
Barstow City Council member

For Barstow to be a successful community, we need healthy, vibrant schools. Our community's future is closely tied to a quality education system.

A partnership between local schools and the city is essential if we want to grow and prosper. We must combine resources where it makes sense.  Working together we can ensure our kids are safe and have every chance for success.

We have to involve many in the community including our school superintendent, school board members, PTAs, civic leaders, teachers and parents.  We must identify mutual interest and work to harness local resources and strengthen community bonds that keep our children safe and help them reach their full potentials.

School Resource Officers (SRO) from our Police Department work with local schools to mentor and educate area youth about healthy behaviors, safety issues and crime prevention. The officers also facilitate campus safety and enforcement.  As mayor, I will support three full-time officers.
The peak hours for crimes by, and against, juveniles are immediately following the school day.

I propose working with the school district to convert the Al Vigil Swim Center into the Al Vigil Youth Center where local kids can experience quality after-school programs, organized recreation activities and free tutoring services in a safe environment.

An Al Vigil Youth Center can be a centralized location to sign-up for Little League, soccer, football, dance and parks & recreation activities. The center will have modern meeting rooms for non-profit organizations to conduct board meetings and events.

Compiled by Aaron Aupperlee, City Editor