San Ysidro School District Board Member

By Yolanda M. Hernandez

They should know that I am asking for their vote with humility and knowledge that I am an elected representative. And that their vote for me is the first thing they can do to help. They must stay engaged and involved in the educational system of their children. I want them to know that I am always open to their input and that I will do all that I can to be the best representative for the advancement of their children, and the respectful treatment of themselves.

As with many other school districts, the most pressing issue facing our district is Finances/Budget, which is tied into School funding. I will continue to advocate for appropriate school funding and see that the focus and priority, in our budget, is to see that our students are provided the best education in which all students can succeed. This can be difficult, with everyone wanting everything. However, as a Board member, I will keep focused on why we are here, which are, to educate our children and continue to increase our achievement scores. With that in mind, when it comes to budget, I will look at how expenses are related to the education of our children and see that budget cuts are appropriate. This is a time when everyone needs to "pitch in," including me, and do their part to get us through these difficult financial times and still maintain an "educational environment in which all students can succeed."

2.What personal, business or government experiences qualify you to be a trustee?

On a personal level, I have lived in the San Ysidro Community since 1977 (34 years) and all three of my children have attended the San Ysidro School District. During this time, I observed the administration and actively involved myself in issues pertinent to my children's needs. It is this experience that motivated me to run for the school board. I, also, worked for the San Ysidro School District as a administrative secretary and for the San Diego Unified School District as a Translator/Interpreter and Administrative Assistant for 6 different schools. This gives me "first hand" experiences and perspective, as a parent and employee of a school district.

As to my knowledge of business, as an owner, I have been fortunate to be involved in running a family business, Five Stars Tours. I have been more actively involved since my retirement and the passing of my husband in 2002. This experience has given me a great deal of knowledge and understanding of how a business operates and, esp., Finances. The School District is in the business of Education and my 16 years on the Board of Education and as SYSD Finance Corporation President for 14 years have certainly qualified me to continue to be a trustee.

As for my government experience, as mentioned, I have served on the San Ysidro School District Board since 1994 (16 years) which has given me wealth of experience in all facets of Education. Through the years, the district has increasingly, improved in their achievement scores. Over the last few years, after several years of being in Program Improvement, all schools have worked hard and have come out of Program Improvement and, this year, we have two schools that have been classified as, "California's Distinguished Schools!"

Other experiences, which have, also, attributed to my experiences and my success, as a Board Member, are serving on the following committees/boards: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School Board and Parent/Teacher Group; Casa Familiar Board Member and Treasurer for 10 years; South Bay Joint School Boards Representative; Sweetwater High School District Prop "0" Oversight Committee, San Diego Spinal-Bifida Committee, Boy's Scouts of America.

3.What are your priorities?

My priorities are to provide strong leadership and policies to ensure that our children have a safe environment and receive the best possible education (despite the financial problems that we have), and, to ensure that our Finances will be appropriately managed, not for just this year, but for the years ahead. In addition, I will focus on district efficiency, accountability and responsiveness to parents. My number one priority is the quality of instruction that the children receive. I know that this sounds cliché, but in my case it really is not. I first ran for office because of concerns I had for the education quality that my special needs daughter was experiencing. I realized that in order to change minds and services our family and others like us received we had to become involved, and so I did. As time passed, I realized it was not only my child that needed representation but also all children. Bureaucracy can be a terrible and crushing enemy of change. We all must realize that the system is here to serve the children not ourselves, adults, administrators, teachers, or other forces. Our first priority must always be "is this the best we can offer, are we being helpful and does it meet the needs of our students", then we must engage all of the groups mentioned to help research, develop, and implement the plans for these priorities. Also, to provide strong leadership and policies to ensure that our children have a safe environment and receive the best possible education (despite the financial problems that we have), and, to ensure that our finances will be appropriately managed, not for just this year, but for the years ahead. In addition, I will focus on district efficiency, accountability and responsiveness to parents.

4.What is one thing district voters should know about you, before heading to the polls?

I was part of the team, in 1994, which took the district from almost being "taken over" due to non-compliance, to being compliant; put policies, processes and procedures in place to effectively run a district; improved our financial status; brought 7 years if stability to the district; increased student achievement and enrollment, and, passed the largest school bond (at that time), of 250 million dollars, that has made possible the building of the Multi-Cultural Center, rebuilding of Sunset and Willow Schools and building of Ocean View Hills School! I will assure you, that I will work to maintain/improve all of our accomplishments, and, that your vote for me will allow me to continue to promote/support all of the things that are beneficial to the education and safety of our students and our community. PLEASE VOTE FOR ME ON NOVEMBER 2, 2010 - THANKS, MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS, SALAMAT