Actual job: World language educator

Volunteer experience, if applicable: Southern CT Literacy Volunteers here in Milford. At school, coordinator of the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), Sociedad Honoraria, Hispánica-National Spanish Honor Society, Annual International Evening.

Education: CT Literacy Specialist Program: Remedial Reading & Reading Consultancy of Sacred Heart University; Sixth year: Intermediate administration and supervision of Southern Connecticut State University; M.Ed. : Bilingual-Bicultural Elementary Education and TESOL from Rhode Island College; BA: World Languages ​​from Rhode Island College.

Previous mandates held: Currently on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Southern CT

If you are elected, what will be your main objective – budget, curriculum, other subject?

If I am elected, my main focus will be the curriculum. One problem our town faces is the poor results of the CT State Smarter Balance Assessment * at Milford Public Schools: 32% of students are below grade in English and writing, 39% are in below grade level in math and 50% of students are below grade level in science. These results predate Covid and they do not take into account the learning loss of the past year and a half. Still, there is a graduate rate of increase of 93% versus 92%.

I will make sure I spend more time focusing on higher expectations, designing rigorous curricula, and removing politics and other curricula from the classroom.

* Mirror CT 9.9.19

What is your position on recent calls by some for more contribution to the curriculum? Do you think the program is appropriate, that there are issues or changes needed in your mind?

Parents are worried and concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability. They want to keep politics out of the classroom and focus on the basics – that is, focusing on math, science, writing, reading, history, and the arts. We must stand up for our gifted and special needs students and support our renowned performing arts and athletics programs. If we focus on the essentials, rather than the theme of ‘racism everywhere’ that has crept into Milford schools, our children will be better served. In addition to the disruption of education due to Covid-19, these programs are creating a lost generation of students.

Your thoughts on the school budget – how does it look now for what is needed in schools?

I don’t know the budget for a long-term plan, but I think there must be one. We are currently spending over $ 99 million on education and that figure does not include the $ 24 million on the city side that pays nurses and all medical benefits. That’s a total of $ 125 million. If we divide this number by the student population of 5,300; the cost per student is approximately $ 23,000. These figures do not include the recent funding of $ 4 million to $ 5 million in emergency aid to elementary and secondary schools, known as ESSER.

All applicants can also respond on the reasons for their application, the time they have lived in the city and why they are the best for the job.

I am a long time resident of Milford and can bring true diversity to the Board of Education. I am a Hispanic immigrant who lived under the communist oppression of Castro for 10 years and under the fascist dictatorship of Franco in Spain for two years. I know what it is like to lack basic civil rights, to be monitored in your thoughts and actions, to not have food on the table and to have your water and electricity rationed daily by the government. I was uprooted and forced to start my life over; in a new country with a new language and culture, so I am sensitive to the needs of a modern and diverse student body. I am extremely grateful to this country for opening its doors and allowing my single parent family to enjoy the freedoms of this county.

I am highly qualified to serve on the BoE. I have over 30 years of curriculum experience, developing rigorous integrated lessons aligned with state standards and assessments, and communicating with parents in an understandable format.