Candidate name: Nancy Navarro

Place of residence: Silver Spring

Date of birth: Aug. 15, 1965

Place of birth: Caracas, Venezuela

Current occupation: Member, Board of Education

Education: B.A. in psychology

Community associations, involvement: n⁄a

Professional associations: National Association of Latino Elected Officials; National School Board Association

Family: Married, two daughters

Campaign office address: P.O. Box 10847, Silver Spring, MD 20914-0847

Web site: www.navarro4boe.org

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

oStrengthen Board's capacity to carry out its oversight function

oContinuity of Reforms (Early Success. Middle School, High School)

oStrengthen Parental and Community Involvement

How would you rate the performance of the current school board: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Good, The Board needs more substantive discussions on the merits of issues, programs, capital decisions, and budgetary allocations. Additional independent analysis would lead to better oversight.

How would you rate the job performance of Superintendent Jerry Weast: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Good. He has identified and carried out important reforms. He has certainly done his job, and the Board needs to do the same.

Is the county funding for schools too much, about right or too little? If too little, where would you find additional money?

About right, we will need to be vigilant about future sustainability.

Do you think the current system for renovating schools is adequate, or does it need changing?

Adequate. The school system has experienced rapid growth and the unavailability of funding has made it difficult to keep up with modernizations. We are experiencing a lull in enrollment, and this should facilitate an opportunity to address some facility issues.

How well are the county's high school consortia working to raise student achievement?

All county high schools were ranked in the top 3% nationally. The high school consortia were created to offer different choices and opportunities. The ‘‘choice” process has encountered some difficulties and the community is beginning to wonder whether the consortia are living up to the promise. Perhaps, we should begin a conversation about community schools.

How well is the middle school consortium working to raise student achievement?

The ‘‘whole school magnet” concept has worked well so far. Although this is only the second year, we have seen positive results in the achievement levels of ‘‘all students” in the consortium. The uniform expectation tends to create an environment of shared learning.

Are too many students being pushed into advanced placement and honors classes without proper preparation?

I would not agree with that assertion. I believe that the opposite is true. We need to continue our efforts to identify students who do not believe that they should be in advance placement or honors. The support infrastructure must be in place, but students should be encouraged to reach their potential.

Should the school system's health curriculum include discussions of homosexuality and demonstrations of contraception use?

Yes

What do you think about the board's relationship with the community?

The Board must always strive to be accessible, available, and willing to listen. This does not constitute an automatic agreement on issues, but simply a willingness to listen to the constituents and their concerns. Board members represent the community and we must take that responsibility seriously.

Does the County Council have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?

The Board must be the body that provides oversight of the school system. The School system should always be willing to provide accurate and appropriate information to the Council and collaborate at all times.

What should the school system do to improve performance by minority students?

Everything.

Respect minority students, parents, and staff,

Acknowledge the gaps

Analyze the data properly

Hire qualified staff that reflects the student body

Create authentic partnerships with parents

Provide language access

Create more Dual-Language Programs

Continue needed reforms

Provide staff development in the area of cultural competency and learning styles

Be willing to think ‘‘outside the Box”

Do you think the school system is doing enough to meet the needs of special education students?

MCPS strives to meet the needs of all students. There is a need for continued staff development that can prepare teachers to meet the need of special education students. Staff shortages are an issue and special education teachers need support. The system must strive to engage parents as partners in the education of their children. This is true for all students.

Are the schools safe for students and teachers? If not, what should be done?

I believe that schools are safe. I also believe that we must recognize the social and emotional challenges that many of our students face. We must strengthen our collaboration with HHS, Recreation department; Community based organizations, private sector, and philanthropic sector, to leverage services and resources. Our students need more than academic rigor, if we are to achieve a holistic education.