El Defensor Chieftain sent candidate questionnaires to Socorro and Magdalena candidates in upcoming local elections, so they could share their platforms in their own words. Candidate answers were limited to 75 words. Answers past 75 words were cut off.

 

Socorro Consolidated School District, Board Position 3

 

Sharon Sessions

Age: 47

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Professor of Physics, Director of Outreach at New Mexico Tech

Highest level of education: PhD

Previously held public office: Socorro Consolidated School Board

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No.

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

As the New Mexico Tech (NMT) liaison with the Socorro Consolidated School District (SCSD), I coordinated a program with NMT students mentoring 3rd graders to improve reading proficiency in 2016, received a $50,000 grant to create an afterschool robotics program in Socorro, and assisted Socorro High School’s application for Early College High School designation with NMT.  I am an educator and have experience in collaboration and capacity building that have helped bridge NMT and SCSD.

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

I will involve the community by 1) listening through participation in community organizations (e.g. Town & Tech Committee, 100% Community Leadership Team, Socorro County Juvenile Justice Board), 2) leveraging my position as New Mexico’s Tech’s Director of Outreach to bridge Socorro Schools, NMT, and the Community, and 3) directly involve the community in board activities through Town Hall meetings, Round Table discussions, and through surveys for students, parents, teachers, and community members.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

Short-term highest priorities: 1) complete Socorro High School’s designation as an Early College High School, and 2) expand behavioral health support for all students (perhaps with therapeutic mentoring).  Long-term highest priorities: 1) expand internship and certification opportunities for high school students, and 2) ensure that Socorro’s families have the supports they need to survive and thrive so our district becomes one of the best in the state in terms of student achievement and well-being.

 

Reid B. Grigg

Age: 70

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired Research Engineer currently working ¼ time at New Mexico Tech in the area of Carbon Dioxide enhanced oil recovery and storage/sequestration

Highest level of education: PhD in Physical Chemistry

Previously held public office: No Elected Office

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No, No/No, No/No for all

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I have worked in agriculture, academia, industry, and community. I have been responsible for small and large (multi-million dollar) budgets. I have resided in Socorro for twenty-nine years, with six children and a son-in-law graduating from Socorro High. I have been responsible for hiring professional and technical personnel. I have worked with youth in many capacities including an advisor to a state-wide youth-lead organization. I have lived in five states and three countries.

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

Board, teachers, and administration are here to support families in their primary role in nurturing and raising their children. Board members elected by the community are key to community-school cooperation. This can be done by listening to students, parents, teachers, and administrators; incorporating interactive programs such as effective parent-lead committees; improve timing and purpose of parent-teacher conferences; mentoring using students and parents; community education classes; and other parent involvement.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

A key to student achievement is parental involvement. Parents must have the opportunity to work with teachers for real academic success. We need to provide opportunity for parents to help their kids by developing a family-friendly environment in our schools.

We must provide opportunities for each student by continuing and enhancing both college track and technical track career paths through mentoring, apprenticeships, and academics. Free Fridays can be an enhancement to existing and future programs.

 

Rufino “Rudy” Lucero

Age: 38

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Office Administration

Highest level of education: Associate

Previously held public office: None

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I have two children enrolled in the district. I just recently welcomed another that and plan to have her in the district as well. As a parent, I want the best for my children. As a school board member, I want that same for all students. If elected, it will be the first seat that I have held in that capacity. I have worked on committees that give back to the community, I have worked…

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

Listening. As a member of the community, I feel like some of our concerns aren’t heard. Transparency is crucial to any public office. I hope to hear my community members and to be clear and precise, because as elected officials, we work for them.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

A short term goal is discover why our proficiencies are so low and address what we can now.

My goal is to get the Socorro district and its students, not just on par with State but with the Country. NM is last in education and Socorro’s district is performing at the bottom 50% of the State. I believe we can and should find the reason for low statistics and make adjustments to improve those numbers.

 

Socorro Consolidated School District, Board Position 4

 

Tara K. Jaramillo

Age: 52

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Speech Language Pathologist, CEO of Positive Outcomes, Inc. (Founded in 1999)

Highest level of education: Masters in Speech Language Pathology

Previously held public office: : None

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No.

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I have a degree in Education and Speech Language Pathology, with 25 years providing special education services. At Positive Outcomes, we have Alberta Academy preschool to address the needs of young learners, we are also Socorro County’s early intervention provider and CYFD’s children’s advocate support, working with children and families from birth to 18 years.  My experience as an educator and as a leader has developed my unique skills of team building and compromising to…

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

Building relationships is vital to creating a team atmosphere that invites participation. Socorro is uniquely gifted in that we have community partners and parents ready and willing to assist. We need to encourage their public input at board meetings by changing policy to make the process easier and through an increase in community outreach as a Board. Recognizing that all must be at the table when making decisions for our community’s future is key.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

I will be asking the district to address the main concerns shared with me: bullying and children’s mental health, lack of professional treatment and support of staff, lack of parent involvement, and inequity in education.  How we get to our goals is based on the guidance of administrators, educators, and families.  I do not believe in micro-managing. The role of a board member is to give a voice to community interests and concerns, set policy…

 

Daniel James Chavez

Age: 50

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Socorro Electric Lineman Foreman

Highest level of education: 12+

Previously held public office: : President of Socorro School board

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. None.

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I have served our community for the last 13 years as a school board member.  During my time of service, I have obtained many certifications provided by the New Mexico School Board Association (NMSBA).  I have annually obtained an Exemplary Award for attending 20 or more hours of training.  I have attended annually the Board Leadership Trainings. I have attended Law conferences for the past 13 years to learn the laws as they continually change.

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

In collaboration with my colleagues we have implemented the community round table, so those that attend have a voice in decisions that are presented. I plan to continue using the Round table platform to involve the community. I plan to continue advertising all meetings, and having students from all the schools participate. I will continue to invite and encourage the community members to attend our meetings.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

My first priority and of course long term goal is to increase student academic achievement.  I plan to encourage student growth, support staff members as they do their job, and provide them with necessary resources to achieve academic excellences.

Short term goal is to increase Friday attendance for the wonderful programs that are being taught.  I would like to continue our community partnerships with our higher education institutions, the City of Socorro, Socorro County and…

 

Socorro Consolidated School District, Board Position 5

 

Pauline Jaramillo

Age: 59

Current occupation (If retired, from what field):

Highest level of education: 14

Previously held public office: School Consolidated Board Member, 13 years, Socorro County Commissioner 8 years

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. None.

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I served over 30 years of community service. Have served 13 years as a school board veteran, I have served as President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer in the New Mexico School Board Association & NMSBA Region 4. Serving in the National School Association Nomination committee, Serving on New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority Board of Directors. Received NMSBA Board of the year and Hall of Frame and NMSBA Outstanding Leadership and Exemplary Award 2010-2021

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

I would like to have a Citizen Advisory Committee that would study and make recommendations regarding district goals, review district policies, evaluate existing facilities, and make recommendations for those or future facilities, study district communication needs, study district culture, climate, safety needs and advise the board on any particular problem or task for which the board has a need for input.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

Short Term-Set higher standards and benchmarks in Reading, Writing, Math.

Long Term-Higher graduation rates, implement a rubric that addresses college and career readiness that prepares our students to be critical thinkers which will result in positive contributing members of society.

 

Stephen Rosas

Age: 55

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Part owner Sofia’s Kitchen

Highest level of education: Some college credits

Previously held public office: No public office held

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. Have never been arrested.

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

I at one point worked for the Socorro School system and I feel as a business owner can bring a skill of working with others to find solutions to problems and set reasonable goals.

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

I will set aside a time once a week for people to come talk about issue’s with me, so I can get the communities input on those issue’s.

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district – short term and long term.

One of my priorities will be fairness. Another will be to revisit the four day school system we have in place now and if it is working for the kids and parents. Also out of district hiring, working with NM Tech, utilizing Zimmerly Elementary School, Community School outreach and our contract with the food service company that we have in place now.

 

Hear more from the candidates

There will be a virtual Socorro school board candidate forum on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m., hosted by SCOPE and SCPC. It will be available online at scopehealthcouncil.com or socorrocountyprevention.com. School board candidates have also been invited to host information tables at Socorro High School’s Social Studies Night on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.