TurlockCityNews.com Candidate Questionnaire
Tami Muniz, TUSD Trustee Candidate
What would your position be if elected as a TUSD Trustee on taking City of Turlock Redevelopment Agency funds to renovate the Joe Debely Stadium? What is your current believe as a citizen of Turlock? (The reason this is relevant is because this may be a funding source TUSD Board Members try to access more if they feel it should be).
As a TUSD Trustee it would be foolish of me not to take advantage of the RDA funds being offered by the City of Turlock. I want to see Joe Debely Stadium renovated and I want Pitman to have it’s own Stadium (hopefully in the next 5 years). As a citizen of Turlock I feel that there are other areas of the city where the RDA money could be spent but still be beneficial to the kids in our community. We need more things for kids to do in Turlock. I would love to see a community center that had computers, and art, and all of those things that our kids need to be well rounded. There are a lot of street repairs and sidewalks still in need throughout the city. It is not my job to determine how the City Council spends the RDA money, so if the funding does go thru then I will vote yes to use our portion for Joe Debley (as long as we can agree on a use agreement with the city).
Due to the State of California budget issues, what potential cuts do you envision TUSD dealing with and how? What would be your priorities to protect the most during budget cuts if they are needed?
We will have to look at everything equally if and when that time comes to make cuts again. As it sits right now we will be ok thru 09-10 and the 10-11 school year unless the State hits us again in January. My top priorities are to keep the cuts away from the classroom and our Employees. Every job in our District is just as important to me as the other because in the end it all affects people, and people are important to the success of our students. I want every student to succeed to their highest potential!
Standard Questionnaire:
For those of us who don’t know, what is TUSD and/or what is it about?
Turlock Unified School District is a place where every child has the opportunity to achieve and succeed to the best of their ability. Our District is fiscally sound and offers a lot of options to parents when it comes to their child’s education ranging from school sites that provide Spanish Immersion, Science & VP Arts, as well as Gate and A/P classes, Voc ED. We also offer extended day Kindergarten classes and AVID classes and we believe that every child can and should go to a college be it Vocational, 4 year, Junior College, or Trade School.
What do you feel the duties of a TUSD Board Member are?
Set policy, work with staff to set long term goals for our district. Implement our Strategic Plan, Keep our District Fiscally sound and our Staff well trained. Listen & represent our staff, community, parents, kids.
What made you decide to run for a TUSD Board of Trustees’ position this election?
I want to see the Strategic Plan thru, make sure that our District continues to remain Fiscally responsible and I also want to continue to be a voice for our diverse community and representative from the South/Wet side of Turlock.
List Top 5 Biographical Highlights:
Turlock Native- 2nd generation
Born, raised and currently live on the south/west side of Turlock
I have 2 son’s ( 10yrs and attends Cunningham & 18yrs recent graduate THS heading to Voc. College in Sac)
Currently a Board Member for the Turlock Youth Soccer Association
Started in the PTA, School Site Council, and I am currently on the District’s Health & Wellness Committee.
List Top 3 Priorities if elected:
Keep the District Fiscally Sound
Work thru budget cuts so we don’t have to cut any jobs
Make sure that all children are getting equal opportunities to achieve all they can
What do you feel you have to offer that some of the other candidates may not?
I have 4 years experience and I am up to speed on what is going on within the Districts Strategic Plan, Budget, Test Scores, and special programs. I know what challenges face us with our students on the south/west sides of Turlock and I want us to continue to reach out and partner with parents so that all of our students succeed no matter where they live, how much money their parents make or what their status is in the community. All of the Children in our community are our future and I want all of them to succeed and go on to do things that change the world and I truly believe they can!
How would you contribute to the current TUSD Board of Trustees and would you fulfill anything missing on the current TUSD Board of Trustees?
Our current Board is Diverse and we all have our own opinions. We may not always agree but we can all put our personal opinions aside and make decisions that are in the best interest of our District. Now is not the time for change in the Board.
What issues do you feel need to be addressed more than they already are? Are there any problems or is there anything that you feel needs to be fixed/ changed concerning TUSD?
There is always room for improvement. I want all of our schools test scores to reach 800+ and we are changing and adapting what we do to get there. We need more money for Special Ed (we are receiving some from the Federal Govt which will help). I wish we could have more school time during the day so Junior High and HS kids could take more electives to broaden their scope or experience prior graduating from high school.
Key Endorsements (up to 5):
Myself & My Family
Complete List of Endorsements (as of time submitted):
My Campaign is under $600 which has been mostly from my personal account. Other than that I have had donations from my Mom & Brother and a couple of friends.
Position Papers (specific views on specific issues) or Candidate Statements (equal to an intro at a debate or a short speech of what you’d like to communicate without being edited):
I feel that we have Great things going on in our Schools in Turlock right now. Parents have choices when it comes to their Childs education and I am very prideful of that. I feel that even though our current Board doesn’t always agree we always come together to make decisions that are in the best interest of all of our students. I love kids, and I care about people and that is what draws me to this type of public service. I want what is best for our community and our kids and I just don’t feel that right now is a time for change on our Board. We need consistency in our schools so that our children don’t notice that we are going thru tough times. They feel that in their homes, they don’t need to feel it in our schools.
