Candidate for
Member, Governing Board; San Bernardino City Unified School District

Dr. Valdez believes in strong partnerships and regular communication with parents and community members. It is important for educators to engage in strong family outreach strategies so that families can be empowered to serve as advocates in their children's academic endeavors.

She believes that all students can learn and all students should have access to a positive and challenging learning environment to ensure that students realize their individual potential. This can be accomplished through research-based instruction and intervention from highly qualified teachers and staff.

Another important aspect of education includes ongoing professional development for teachers and classified staff. It is important to recruit, train and retain highly qualified employees who maintain high ethical character and exhibit an exemplary attitude, and genuine caring toward all students.

School Board members must closely monitor the budget and enrollment, making timely adjustments to staffing, services, programs and budgets to keep the school district solvent and maintain a stable reserve.

And finally, Dr. Valdez understands the importance of providing safe and clean facilities for students and staff. Therefore, the school board must develop options and plans on both a short and long term basis to meet the growing needs of such a large and ever changing district.