Miguel Galvez, TUSD Trustee Candidate
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?
I understand that the Turlock Unified School District has a healthy fund reserve and budget cuts will not be necessary during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. If budget cuts are necessary beyond this time-frame, I would propose engaging the administration, representatives from the collective bargaining units, parent and students into helping identify proposed budget cuts for consideration by the full Board of Trustees. Any proposed cuts would have to be equitable and directed at ensuring that essential services are maintained.
What is TUSD and/or what is it about?
The Turlock Unified School District is a locally administered governmental institution whose mission to provide academic and vocational growth opportunities to school aged students in our community.
What do you feel the duties of a TUSD Board Member are?
I believe the primary duties of a TUSD Board is to: 1) provide policy direction to the District’s administration in carrying Board approved goals and strategies; and 2) to evaluate the success of current and proposed academic programs; and 3) to represent the interests of the District’s stakeholders on the Board.
What made you decide to run for a TUSD Board of Trustees position this election?
As a parent and community resident, I am interested in performing my civic duty of serving on the governing board of the District where our children attend.
List Top 5 biographical highlights:
1. Graduate of CSU Stanislaus, BA in Political Science/public administration.
2. Settled in Turlock in 1992.
3. City Planner for over 20 years
4. School District administrator – Business Division at Modesto City Schools (4 years) which included:
a) administrative oversight the completion of Enochs High School construction project,
b) the construction of Gregori High School,
c) the modernization of Downey High School,
d) addressing impacts to school operations due to declining enrollment,
e) oversight of transportation, school facilities and mello roos funded agencies.
5. Together with my wife Maria, we are proud parents of 4 sons, who have attended or are attending Turlock schools.
List Top 3 priorities if elected:
1. Getting our schools out of Program Improvement
2. Maintaining fiscal solvency.
3. Maintaining clean and safe learning environments and support facilities.
What do you feel you have to offer that some of the other candidates may not?
1. I have actual district administration experience working at a large school district (Modesto City Schools)
2. I have the benefits of sharing my life with my wife Maria, who is an experienced educational practitioner.
3. I have two sons that are presently attending Turlock schools.
How would you contribute to the current TUSD Board of Trustees and would you fulfill anything missing on the current TUSD Board of Trustees?
I am not sure how the Board make-up will look after the election, but I believe that I can contribute to the Board by being objective, reasonable and open minded.
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 may be some academic instructional programs, technological opportunities and employee morale issues that may need a closer look.
Position papers (specific views on specific topics) or candidate statements (equal to an intro at a debate or a short speech of what you’ like to communicate without being edited):
None – I’m just a dad and husband who is interested in applying my experience, skills and enthusiasm to helping our students succeed and help our community continue to be a great place to raise our families.
Endorsements:
Besides lots of friends, none.
Complete Bio (Please include contact information for the voters to reach you by):
I was born in 1963 in Guadalajara, Mexico. I immigrated to United States in 1967 with my family and settled in Riverbank, California. I attended Riverbank schools (K-12). I served as a Riverbank volunteer firefighter and as a Riverbank Planning Commissioner during the mid-80’s. I attended Modesto Junior College and graduated from CSU Stanislaus in 1987, where I met my wife Maria. Maria and I married in 1990 and settled in Turlock in early 1992. We have four sons. I have worked as a City Planner for over 20 years, working for the Cities of Ceres, Livingston, Merced and Modesto. I held the positions of Director of Planning and Research and subsequently the Director Facilities Development and Support at Modesto City Schools from 2006 – 2010. My position at Modesto City Schools was eliminated in July 2010 due to several years of budget reductions. I went back to school and obtained a real estate license and I’m associated with PMZ Real Estate.
I can contacted by e-mail at: galvez-m@sbcglobal.net.
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