Position Paper #2

By Jeanne Bassett Fernandes

Some tough questions asked by students to Jeanne Bassett-Fernandes, Candidate for Trustee, West So. Co. High School District

Background

I was born in Sonoma County # Petaluma to be exact... my family moved to Sebastopol when I was 6 months old. I have 2 sisters and a brother, we all attended Twin Hills Elementary School, Analy High School and SRJC. So I guess you could say I am a life long resident of West Sonoma County. My parents still live on the farm that I grew up on.

I have a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. I spent 10 years as a YMCA Professional Director in the Aquatics Field and ended my career as a Maintenance and Facilities Director. I retired in 1997. My grandmother and all her bothers and sisters also graduated from Analy High School. My son is currently a Jr. at Analy and my daughter graduated is currently at SRJC. My husband graduated from Analy as well. I enjoy gardening, reading, canning, cooking, bike riding and water sports. My husband is an airline pilot, so we do travel some as well. I enjoy volunteering in my community and have for the past 14 years been very active in my kids' schools.

Political Philosophy

I definitely describe myself as middle of the road. I have always been a peacemaker type, and I very seldom lean one-way or the other politically. I will always vote for the candidate(s) that I feel will do the best job; I do not vote along a party line. I will also look at an issue and decide if I think it is good for our community, our county, our state or our nation...and then vote accordingly. I want what is best for kids! Our teenage population is our future... we must keep them on the forefront of every decision we make in our lives today, they will be our future leaders, they will be deciding my fate when I am old and watching from afar. Our youth of today should be equipped to take their place in society as well rounded, reliable, respectful, and productive individuals. This can only be accomplished in stable and safe environments; we need to provide those environments.

Why running for the board

I am running for the board cause I believe in kids! This job is all about our students. We work for you. We serve because you are here! If we didn't' have students we would not need a school board... I want to make your education experience the best ever. I want you to have the best teachers, the best curriculum, the best textbooks, the most exciting electives and the most fun... to help you with you life long goals and your pursuit of your dreams. I am about kids, I believe in you and feel so lucky to have the opportunity to continue to work for you. I believe you should be heard... these are your schools. You need to tell us what works and what doesn't, what is good and bad, as well. We need to hear your voices and show you we do care, by listening.

I am running for the Board in hopes to continue to make a difference in my community. I have spent 4 years working on so many things with my fellow board members. It feels good knowing we have used the communities bond money wisely to build the El Molino Library, to re-roof all the Elmo buildings, to complete the Culinary kitchens and hospitality center at El Molino as well. Analy has the new plaza, a new Science Wing and remodeled and technologically innovative classrooms. Both schools have elevators that finally meet ADA requirements and they both have newly remodeled gyms and locker rooms.

It is equally essential to maintain continuity and stability within our district in light of California's uncertain financial future and the multiple challenges any district faces every year. I offer that continuity and stability and believe it is very important for this board and community to retain my expertise as the lone board member with the longest running tenure.

Greatest challenge facing education today

The greatest challenge facing education today is not having enough money to do what really needs to be done and to meet the expectations set forth by the CA Governor and our State Legislators. The standards are high (not that that is so bad), but yet we are continually expected to raise the bar, yet have less money to turn out the curriculum and the programs that need to be used to keep us on the top. We in West County are very lucky we have you for our students. You are bright, energetic and help to keep us as one of the top Districts in the County and State as well. Declining enrollment in West County will not help matters when it comes to finances. Less students means less money... it is simple... What's the answer... equalization aid from the state will help as a start, no more mid-year budget cuts from the Governor would be nice and our elected officials at the state level need to really mean it when they say education is number 1. They like to say it, but I don't think they really believe it... I don't believe them... Their big salaries are what is number 1 for them! You, our students are not at the top of their list and for CA being ranked in the top 5 of gross production in the world today, we do poorly when it comes to dollars spent on our schools... it is sad to say we rank in the low 40's nationally in dollars spent in education, with only Mississippi, Alabama and 1 other state with less education spending. That is a sad state of affairs in my opinion and a huge challenge for us.

Attitude towards censorship

I do not believe in censorship. We all should have freedom to speak out about issues, write about them and read about them as well. BUT... I also believe we must speak and write in a manner that is respectful, non-harassing and non-hurtful to others. Foul language is unacceptable... I always believe one can find some other way of expressing ones self than with vulgarity. I feel we need to always ere on the side of good judgment with our speech and our writing... then we do not fall in the crevasse of muddling through and making excuses.

Certainly I believe our students need a well-rounded curriculum. I have taken exception to a book or 2 used as supplementary texts for English, but was ok with them once given an explanation by the staff teaching them and also felt much better when I knew the ages of the students reading the book. I feel that there are so many great options for supplementary texts for our courses... ones that might be on the far side of controversial might not need to be used. Granted allowing our students to `stretch' is as important as teaching basics... this is a slippery slope.

Instituting a dress code in our schools

A total dress code, NO! I have no problem with our students expressing themselves in how they dress and adorn themselves. That is not to say that I would choose to dress how some students dress or like my own children to dress in a particular way either. This issue is really about families setting their own moral and ethical values and then living by them.

Our dress is a way of saying, "this is who I am, this is how I feel", it is a way for our (especially teenagers) to dissent against their elders, whether we like it or not. I like to remind my own kids and all of you students I was 16 once too! I know what it is like to want to be my own person. I remember wanting to wear what I wanted to wear and being told it was not ok. Did I like it, no, did I get over it, yes.

I believe no one should be allowed to make the learning environment their stage or their runway. So if someone is wearing something that has all eyes on him or her, not at the task at hand... learning... then quite possibly it is inappropriate. I know no one wants to hear that some things are over the top, but yes in fact some things are. Foul language or alcoholic beverage t-shirts are out of line. `Shorty' tops or string tops are well, over the top... more time is spent watching `her' than is spent on work, I'll guarantee. The guy next to the young lady is only wondering what else is under there and if it will stay on... is that ok? I don't think so. It can be very distracting to an entire class and I think our young women of today have more to offer than that!

Regarding `zero' tolerance for students who act racist and sexist ways

We MUST be accepting of all and we need to care about all around us, no matter, their color, religion, sex, sexual preference, race or beliefs. We are the human race, we are a united people and that begins at home and in our schools. I don't believe in zero tolerance for anything except heavy-duty criminals. We are talking about kids here, not criminals. If someone does or says something racist or acts in a particular way towards someone that is objectionable, I believe they need to be educated, nurtured and shown how what they did or said was inappropriate and unkind. Yes, they need to be given a reprimand, but zero tolerance is not the answer. We must, teach, not throw away. We must show we care, by showing them how to care. We must teach respect by showing them respect. Every case is an individual case. Every student who has a discipline issue must be dealt with in the best way for that individual. It is not to say that what they may have said or done is acceptable, it probably wasn't, but it won't help them to either ignore what they did or to throw "the book at them' either. I believe we need to work with the program called Restorative Justice which allows a young person who has offended or is having discipline problems to work on their issues and have their record totally expunged (cleaned) once they have been a part of the program and met all the goals. Again, We MUST be accepting of all and we need to care about all around us, no matter who they are and what they may have said or done. We have to care, because in many cases no one else does!