https://tricitiesvote.com/j-r-campos

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

Act as a conduit for their constituents, represent their interests during decision making. Work with City Manager, to provide direction and clarity to staff. Serve on regional boards and commissions. And pass budgets.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

Homelessness, strategic growth, and inclusivity. To earn community support I would work with council to encourage listening session, to gain public input from community stakeholders, or reach out to community members directly to see how they might feel.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official?

I would disclose any perceived conflict of interest, and depending on the nature of the conflict I may even recuse myself from making any decision on a specific item. For a more broad position, I would work with the city attorney to discuss how to best navigate the issue and if it would require any additional action on my behalf.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

I am open minded and do not mind when my position is challenged. I see it as a growth opportunity.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

The housing market can be affected by how ordinances and codes are written. The City, can also influence growth by zones when they plan growth. Strategic growth is important to supporting the market activity

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

Art is everywhere! The city can and should sometimes look for public art projects to help demonstrate community mindedness. The city does work for the people.

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

Pasco citizens are desperately trying to retain that small town identity, and allowing the city to help guide sprawl in a way that meets everyone’s needs will be important to protecting the identity of Pasco.

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

We are community leaders, we help set the tone for what we are in our city. Pasco is diverse, and we should work on bringing that front and center. 

https://tricitiesvote.com/irving-brown-sr

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

The Pasco City Council is a seven-member elected body that sets the overall policies and goals for the City and hires and directs the City Manager to carry out those policies.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

• Implement a Strategy to reduce Homelessness
• Implement a Comprehensive Police Master Plan
• Develop a Community Engagement Plan

The community is in full support of these initiatives because I have heard from them, and we will work together for the success of each initiative to better our City.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

• Be transparent and avoid being defensive and competitive
• Create opportunities for cooperation
• Have a follow-up plan

I find it very important that all sides are heard and respected in order to find a safe and clear resolution.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

My goal is to ensure that the City of Pasco is well represented.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

https://tricitiesvote.com/leo-perales

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

City council members serve as access between the city, the city staff and the constituents they represent. More Importantly is that city council sets policy. Policymaking often takes the form of passing ordinances or resolutions. City council members also review official city documents, appoint a city manager to act as administrative head of the various city departments and the employees. The council also appoints individuals to boards and commissions. We also adopt and add input to the city budget, approve expenditures, review revenue forecasts, levy taxes, authorizes public improvements such as LIDs and more.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

Our cities priorities can’t be reduced to three issues but I believe these to be the most pressing as I write this: Housing and Affordability, Tri-City Animal Shelter Reform and Creation of an Oversight Board, and Cleaning up our downtown corridor of homelessness and illicit drug use. We need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. I have leveraged social media as a way to get community support on these issues and look forward as a city council member to get people to come to city hall and see these issues come to fruition.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

If I had any conflicts an interest or perception of unfairness, I will respectfully recuse myself in accordance with the cities polices and state law. I will consult with our city attorney as well to ensure that I’m following protocol.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

https://tricitiesvote.com/james-czebotar

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

A member of the City Council represents citizens of their district addressing the needs and concerns of those they represent, as well as the city as a whole. 

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

Local government requires people of good faith and disposition or it becomes dysfunctional. Our local governments have been called out nationally for their disfunction.  I refuse to accept partisan party endorsements and will bring real independence and decorum. 

Homelessness is a complex issue which touches upon mental illness, substance abuse, housing costs, and health care.  There is no single solution however there are ways to reduce harm, crime, and blight.   

Property Permits & Anonymous Code Complaints.  I will work to reform both processes to benefit home owners over businesses and bullies.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

As an engineer working for a contractor of the Federal Government, I am no stranger to ethics rules and conflicts of interest.  I have avoided accepting meals from contractors to avoid the appearance of impropriety so that no other vendor could point and say “Look! he’s taking an item of value from a vendor he steers business toward!”

As an elected official, I will disclose any conflicts of interests with entities whom may have business before the council.  Were a recusal obvious I would recuse myself.  If it is a grey area, I would defer to the rest of the council’s opinion after disclosure.   

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

In my day job I’m part of a High Performance Computing DevOps team. We design, build, and run Linux super computers. We all rely on the opinions and perspectives of each other as experts in our particular field to operate as a functional team. This is no different. I will defer to the City Manager, staff, civil servants, and experts hired by the city and not place my beliefs above their experience, expertise, and knowledge. 

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

Zoning by the City Planning Division plays a role in what kinds of housing developments are built and where. Decisions on spending tax money can be housing related or not. Experimental solutions could be undertaken, or not. Limiting out of state or corporate vacuuming up of property inventory could be done, or not. The market will always work to increase prices, as the market’s primary goal is to maximize shareholder value.

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

Should culture enhancement be top priority? No. Should it be off the table? No. When economic times are strong and the basic infrastructure and needs of people are met, spending on enhancing our culture and recreational capabilities is prudent. When times are lean, these may need to be cut back.   

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

We have seen the price of unrestrained growth without proper guidance. Road 68 for example, the infrastructure was not designed for the housing density and we are paying the price now. The City should not let developers run roughshod to maximize their profits at our expense. 

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

It appears multiple current members of the city council vote on items where they have conflicts of interest. Council members who accept gifts from business owners with business before the city council should report those gifts and recuse themselves from agenda items that business owner has before the council, such as the Downtown Pasco Development Authority and Retails Cannabis issues, two of the higher profile issues addressed recently. 

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

Our community is a diverse growing one.  Our city has grown from a small rural town a few decades ago to a mid sized city and our growth continues.   Diversity and integrity will draw more people with those attributes.  Currently our local politics are derided nationally and that will continue if we keep re-electing the same individuals to local office.

https://tricitiesvote.com/david-milne

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

The goal of a city councilmember is to first be a champion for citizens in your district. Listen to what your citizens are expecting from you and make the best decisions you can. Second is to adopt ordinances, give insight to staff and adopt a city budget.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

The first opportunity of myself being on Council is being able to listen but more importantly looking at the big issue as a community. Why not bring the City Council and County Commissioners together to address issues such as impact fees, homelessness, road specifications and the future of the Hapo Center? Second is why not light up the downtown to create a welcoming environment for shoppers, businesses and economic growth with Murals that reflect our history, values and diversity. Third is the opportunity of strategic growth of our city in which we add in well thought out developments, roads, and a large park.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

I’m a man of faith and someone that believes in the power of prayer. What is important as a Council member is keeping a calm attitude and doing things that you know are right from a ethical and moral standard.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

I’m always open to hear others and listen to a different perspective.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

Cities can always keep taxes low and try to mitigate costs but in the end it is up to the market to decide the costs of housing. 

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

It’s great when private business can create projects that enhance a cities culture like a theater but in  some cases only the city has the resources to develope certain projects that enhance culture such as a culture center or a certain type of park. 

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

There is a balance in everything and planning out a city that is growing is no different.

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

All our meetings are televised and available on local tv and YouTube. Plus staff is very helpful when needing to get ahold of different council members.

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

Yes it is important for the Council to be out in the community and showing that the Council cares about our diverse citizenry.

https://tricitiesvote.com/peter-harpster

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

Members of City Council set policy and pass legislation for the City of Pasco and are responsible for hiring and then reviewing the performance of the City Manager. In addition, the City Council passes a biannual comprehensive budget for the City and reviews and approves various land-use applications. Council members are public servants of the citizens of Pasco and their positions exist to ensure that Pasco continues to be a great place to live, work, and play. 

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

The #1 issue facing Pasco today is the exponential growth we continue to experience. We need councilmembers who have a background in planning and can help prepare the City for its growth. I’ve been a planner for 13 years and in my day job I get the opportunity to work in direct collaboration with City staff. The 2nd issue is housing, we need 23,000 housing units over 18 years for the 40k people that are moving here. In my job we are building subdivisions in Pasco that will provide almost 1,000 housing units. Thirdly, we have a drug abuse/mental health crisis on our hands that needs to be addressed.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

Should any conflict of interest arise between my professional job and my duties as a Councilmember I will recuse myself from any discussions or votes that may take place. I subscribe to a deeply held set of ethics in which integrity is of paramount importance. Ethical challenges presented will get my full attention and consideration in ensuring that they are handled appropriately and with the right parties present.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

I have had steady involvement in the creation of the Housing Action Plan as well as some Comprehensive Plan Amendments that both will help to provide more housing types for people of all income levels. It is very important to elect someone who understands the challenges faced by residents who are trying to find housing but cannot. I work in collaboration with City staff almost every day on new housing projects and intend to use that experience to grow our housing inventory. 

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

Responsible and Well-Planned Growth is one of my top priorities as Pasco’s next Councilmember. That means that development cannot be a “free for all” but that it must be closely managed to ensure that infrastructure keeps up with development so our citizens have clean drinking water and the ability to flush toilets, take showers, and have lights on in their home. We want to avoid issues like Road 68/Burden and instead have well-planned structure for future growth.

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

https://tricitiesvote.com/kim-lehrman

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the City Council?

City council members’ responsibility overall is to be good stewards of taxpayer’s money and the public’s trust. City council members legislate city laws and vote on budgets: operating (fire, police and parks) utility services (water, sewer and taxes collected to for those services) and Capital (infrastructure projects) and set city goals. Council members should act with integrity, transparency and in collaboration with residents, council members, and other local governing bodies. Together we can build Pasco where residents can live, work and play. 

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

As a City of Pasco Planning Commissioner, we are addressing areas where the city can effectively improve affordable housing stock, updating city zoning codes to codifying Accessory Dwelling Units allowing homeowners to rent. 

40,000 residents and 23,000 housing units are estimated in growth in the next 20 years; the City deserves someone with my experience of working with all.

Celebrating diversity by re-starting the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Commission with defined goals. From city proclamations celebrating cultural heritage months to inviting artist to publicly display our rich history.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

I am not a developer or work for developers. I have no financial gain from this elected position, nor my spouse’s employment or have a family member who is a City of Pasco employee. The Fairness Doctrine I am held to as a City of Pasco Planning Commissioner. When I speak with the City’s staff it is about my volunteer roles or as a resident, not as a council member for my employer’s business dealings. 

Working with the City’s Attorney, I can share my concerns and follow their advice when to recuse myself or as my duty to report a council member’s ethical violation in a formal and timely manner.

A: Citizens should elect me because I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

B: Citizens should elect me because I will seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

I work daily with 200+ adults and 3200 (students/families) of our residents of Pasco as a high school teacher at Chiawana High School. Daily, I am challenged to think outside of my own cluster of core people to hear other people’s voices when they raise concerns. I am not allowed to wear my beliefs on my sleeves as a teacher or I fail to safely educate all of my students. All voices are welcomed into the meetings and treated with dignity when I serve as our City of Pasco At-Large councilmember.

A: The city has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

B: Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

As a City of Pasco Planning Commission, we have passed innovative recommendations to the City Council from Single Room Occupancy, Accessory Dwelling Units, decreasing lot sizes and re-zoning to mix use to help curb the affordable housing crisis. These actions on the planning commission are the most effective way a city can decrease the affordable housing crisis. I am proud to be serving in helping our residents have a wider selection of housing so we can address the Middle Housing crisis too.

A: The City Council should rely on the private sector to create projects that enhance culture.

B: The City Council should help fund major capital projects that enhance the vibrancy of local culture.

We have the responsibility to be stewards of our history. Our history should not be bought or the opportunity for business to apply biasness in what is persevered and shared to our future generations. Working with Washington State’s Art and Culture Commission grant opportunities, local artist, galleries, Franklin County Historical Society Museum, Pasco’s Art and Culture Commission and local schools is a collaborative approach I would support in celebrating culture and art in our vibrant city.

A: We should control and guide suburban sprawl even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

B: We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it’s critical to our local economy.

As a farm girl and someone who put herself through college to graduate as an Agriculture Educator and FFA Advisor, land availability to live and grow crops on, I hold dear to my heart. Our land is a finite resource and quality farmland is even smaller resource. Filling in empty lots before expanding the Urban Growth Boundary is smart growth practices. Following the Growth Management Act’s regulations not only is good stewards of our resources but also good governance to avoid litigation. 

A: The City Council is doing a good job of being transparent.

B: The City Council should do a much better job of being transparent.

We need communication from the City in a timely and effective manner to reach our residents. More graphics and communications in the top five Pasco residents’ languages are two areas I have pushed for while serving as a planning commissioner as infographics help decrease the misunderstandings for our non-English speaking residents. Educating our residents on city business and operations will reduce the disconnect and frustration over lack of transparency that so many of our residents describe. 

The City Council has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

Creating a ‘sense of belonging’ for residents creates a community that celebrates one another as a Pasco City Council goal. Public art, community gathering events, community policing program and inviting diverse voices for the city to partner with is how we create a future for all, not just some. My Asian American children often share how invisible they feel. When residents feel excluded, they leave Pasco. Together, we can help the city practice a wider inclusive lens to represent and serve all.

https://tricitiesvote.com/vincent-guerrero

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the school board?

The responsibilities of the school board are to ensure that they are responsible not only to the community but also to the students. It is the board’s duty to advocate for all students. It is also the board’s responsibility to conduct itself in a fair and responsible manner, so that there is forward progress.

The board is responsible for helping to set standards for achieving goals and setting policy. Policies and goals are set so that all students can learn and achieve their dreams in a safe and friendly environment. This will help set them on a path to graduation and earn a sense of accomplishment.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

• Opportunity number one is growth and how to manage it.
• Opportunity number two is forward progress. The district cannot progress positively if there is conflict within the board. The school board position is non-partisan.
• Opportunity number three is that the reading and math scores within the district need to be raised.

The community wants to know that the school district uses its funds wisely. The public also wants to see a school board that works well together and can work through differences of opinion to make progress and achieve consensus.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

I will do my best to avoid conflicts of interest so that business is conducted fairly and with transparency. Any personal interest in school district business, such as for contracts, must be disclosed to the board. 

I have worked in local government for over twenty years. Ethical challenges often arise when dealing with the public. Despite my views, I strive to provide open communication and services to everyone I encounter. I know the true meaning of being a public servant, which is one without bias or personal interest.

A: Our district is underfunded for the needs of our operations, maintenance, and/or capital improvements. 

B: Funding in our school district is adequate for operations, maintenance, and/or
capital improvements.

A: Raises for teachers should be through cost of living adjustments or the annual step increases built into the salary schedules. 

B: Teachers in our district are under-compensated and should be a higher budget priority than they are currently.

I believe teachers are compensated well, but we also need to make sure that we listen to the needs of our teachers and their representatives. We need to work together to make sure that teachers receive fair wages and educational opportunities.

A: We should prioritize protecting students from encountering perspectives that may be harmful to them.

B: We should prioritize making all educational materials available to students.

Age appropriate learning materials only. 

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

The school board has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

https://tricitiesvote.com/steve-norberg

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the school board?

[Candidate did not provide an answer.]

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

Our kids deserve the best education possible to prepare them for success.  Success is accomplished by teaching them the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic and learning how to become independent lifelong learners. My conservative values and leadership will help guide Pasco schools to ensure a healthy learning atmosphere and result in students that are well prepared for their future. It is critical for parents to be involved with their child’s education and to preserve parental rights. I will do my best to wisely use the finances that are available.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

[Candidate did not provide an answer.]

A: Our district is underfunded for the needs of our operations, maintenance, and/or capital improvements. 

B: Funding in our school district is adequate for operations, maintenance, and/or
capital improvements.

Pasco schools are full but new schools are being built.

A: Raises for teachers should be through cost of living adjustments or the annual step increases built into the salary schedules. 

B: Teachers in our district are under-compensated and should be a higher budget priority than they are currently.

A: We should prioritize protecting students from encountering perspectives that may be harmful to them.

B: We should prioritize making all educational materials available to students.

Children are not able to make all the decisions for themselves so actions need to be taken.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

The school board has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

[Candidate did not provide an answer.]

https://tricitiesvote.com/john-kennedy

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the school board?

School Board Directors focus on the “what”. The “what” refers to the vision, goals, and policies of the District. Directors set broad policy goals, including annual District goals, oversee and approve the annual budget, and adopt curricula. Directors also, very importantly, provide oversight of the Superintendent. Finally, Directors engage with District community members and provide constituent services.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

(1) Effectively managing the District’s growth including responsibly and transparently spending community’s tax dollars, (2) expanding our Career & Technical Education and STEM course offerings and professional development opportunities for all students, and (3) student post-COVID recovery including acceleration, raising test scores in math and language arts, and mental health & belonging. 

Community support is only achieved through sincere and consistent engagement and education on these issues. It is my responsibility to keep our residents informed, listen to residents’ views, and forge a consensus approach.

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

If there are any conflict of interest concerns regarding a Board vote or action, I will evaluate the possible conflict of interest concern and perception, consult with the Superintendent and District attorney, and then recuse myself from the vote or action if necessary or advisable.

A: Our district is underfunded for the needs of our operations, maintenance, and/or capital improvements. 

B: Funding in our school district is adequate for operations, maintenance, and/or capital improvements.

Through state and federal funding and the approval of bonds and levies, the District has the resources necessary to implement its instructional, operational, and capital project goals and directives. Our budget is balanced every year. The District should continue to make strides in the equitable distribution of resources and funding to all Pasco public schools.

A: Raises for teachers should be through cost of living adjustments or the annual step increases built into the salary schedules. 

B: Teachers in our district are under-compensated and should be a higher budget priority than they are currently.

The McCleary decision has greatly reduced pay disparities and helped ensure the District pays our educators family-supporting salaries. The District continues to work and collaborate in good faith with the representatives of our educators. Those negotiations must be done within the confines of the District’s budget and financial means. It is possible to strike a balance between the fact of the District’s limited financial resources with the expectation that every employee earns a fair wage. 

A: We should prioritize protecting students from encountering perspectives that may be harmful to them.

B: We should prioritize making all educational materials available to students.

Our District teaches our students how to think and be critical thinkers. That requires being exposed to a diverse set of viewpoints and analytically discussing them in the safe space of the classroom. We should not limit our student’s ability to learn how to analyze arguments and sources and determine for themselves what they think about them. Parents are made aware of the materials their child are introduced to in their schools. They have the ability to opt their child out of curriculum if they object to it. 

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

I strongly support parental choice and participation in the decision making process. Our District does a good job in seeking the input of parents and involving them in the District’s operations. Parents are encouraged to attend School Board meetings and provide comments during the meeting or by email. They are invited to participate on committees such as curriculum development committees and participate in the District’s Ambassador Program.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

I strongly support and welcome the involvement of our educators in how our District functions beyond just the instruction that occurs in the classroom. Our educators have experience and expertise that can absolutely benefit the operations of our District. Like parents, they are encouraged to attend School Board meetings and provide comments. They are also involved in committees. We should utilize the talents, ideas, and knowledge of every member of our community in the decision making process of our District. 

The school board has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

The Board has a responsibility to ensure that all community members are and feel included in the operations of the District. The success of the District has stemmed from embracing  the diversity of our students and all community members. Our job is to ensure that our students feel safe, respected, and belonging. Belonging and inclusivity is work that continues to be ongoing and is a priority. It is a collaborative endeavor between parents, educators, staff, School Board Directors, students, and community members. 

A School Board Director should not try to impose his or her individual political and philosophical beliefs and agenda on the Board and District. A Director must collaboratively work with the other Board members to seek compromise and consensus on policy and that policy should have community member input and support. I seek the views and ideas from everyone regardless if I agree with them or not. I have a responsibility to craft policy on the Board that has the widest possible support among all District residents. 

https://tricitiesvote.com/rosa-torres

In your own words, what are the responsibilities of members of the school board?

The responsibilities of School Board members are to be good advocates for our students and their families, stewards of our community’s resources to best serve our students and staff, and strategic and collaborative leaders that can have and execute on a shared vision for the continued success of our district and students.

What do you believe are the three most important opportunities your position can champion during your term, and how do you intend to earn community support?

I believe our top issues are: 1) Closing the achievement gap being experienced by our kids. 2) Managing the exponential growth of our community and the challenges that come with it.  3) Reintegrating our students and regaining the educational ground lost during the pandemic.  To accomplish this, I will work with my fellow board members and staff to focus on:  promoting programs that are making lasting impacts, investing in new infrastructure and maintaining our current facilities, as well as ensuring a positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students and staff

How will you handle conflicts of interest and ethical challenges that may arise while serving as an elected official? 

I will handle any ethical challenge with integrity and transparency in both my actions and words.  I hold myself to a high standard of accountability and honesty, so if any issue were to arise I will address it head on and take appropriate action.  Furthermore, I have educated myself to fully understand the duties of the office, as well the responsibility I have to my constituents and community to avoid ethical pitfalls.

A: Our district is underfunded for the needs of our operations, maintenance, and/or capital improvements. 

B: Funding in our school district is adequate for operations, maintenance, and/or
capital improvements.

We need to continue investing in our infrastructure as well as our staff to ensure we have the high-quality opportunities our students deserve.

A: Raises for teachers should be through cost of living adjustments or the annual step increases built into the salary schedules. 

B: Teachers in our district are under-compensated and should be a higher budget priority than they are currently.

A: We should prioritize protecting students from encountering perspectives that may be harmful to them.

B: We should prioritize making all educational materials available to students.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from parents and involving them in in decision-making.

A: The school board is doing a good job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

B: The school board should do a much better job of seeking input from educators and involving them in in decision-making.

The school board has a role to play in leading our region to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

Our children and greater community are watching and deserve effective leaders that can both deliver results and be good role models.