2020 NMUSD Candidate Forum
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Vote Informed for NMUSD!
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Area 6
- Candidate Self-introductions & Ice Breakers
- Plan for keeping a finger on the pulse of the district
- District Leadership (Superintendent),
Accountability & Transparency - COVID-19 - Ensure Teachers and Parents Feel We Are On Track
- Equity in Schools & Sources of Funding
- District Funded vs. Parent Funded
- Special Education & After-school Options
- Fighting Systemic Racism in K-12 Schools & Curriculum
- Partnership Experience & Plans on Fundraising
- Closing Statements
Area 3
- Candidate Self-introductions & Ice Breakers
- Plan for keeping a finger on the pulse of the district
- District Leadership (Superintendent),
Accountability & Transparency - COVID-19 - Ensure Teachers and Parents Feel We Are On Track
- Equity in Schools & Sources of Funding
- Advocating for Needs & Challenges of Schools in Lower-tax Brackets
- Fighting Systemic Racism in K-12 Schools & Curriculum
- Closing Statements
Did you know there are 7 trustees, elected to four-year terms who vote on all decisions made by NMUSD (Newport Mesa Unified School District)?
Did you know the elected trustee for our schools (Area 6 and Area 3) is on the upcoming ballot for your vote? There are 4 candidates running for this position. Who will you vote for?
We know many of you have never been more aware of the NMUSD board proceedings than during these past 8 months as our community weathered COVID-19 and the resulting school closures. Many of you have carefully followed discussions around when and how to reopen schools. These decisions have been important, and will continue to impact our school community for months to come. In addition, even after COVID has passed, the Trustee elected to represent our schools will be making decisions impacting curriculum, school services and the district budget over the next four years of their elected term. This year, you have a chance to vote for the person you feel best represents your views and who will represent you best to NMUSD.
To help all families become more familiar with the candidates, a nonpartisan and impartial "Meet the Candidate Forum" was held via Zoom on Monday, October 12th candidates on the November ballot.
Which area do I live in?
If you're wondering what area/zone you live in, please click here to find your address on the NMUSD Trustee Area Map (locate the address at which you are registered to vote).
About the Forum
The Forum will consist of a Q&A which will be moderated by city councilwoman, Arlis Reynolds. During the forum, each candidate will have an opportunity to share with viewers about their views and vision for NMUSD, and will be asked questions submitted by our school community.
Zoom attendees will be able to view the moderator and panelist discussion, but will not be visible to other Zoom participants. All attendees will be on mute, but able to submit questions to the discussion moderators via private message. If you would like to submit a question in advance for our moderator to consider, please email [email protected] or click the button below.
Meet the Area 6 Candidates
Amy Peters - Hi, I'm Amy Peters and I am running for NMUSD School Board District 6. My husband Andy and I have three children who attend the same NMUSD schools I did as a child. I have volunteered at every level of my children's academic journey from Woodland and Kaiser to Ensign and NHHS. My commitment to volunteering has included VP Fundraising for our Kaiser Woodland PFO, School Site Council terms on every campus, being a Founding Member of KWSF the STEM focused foundation which provides more than 1,200 students with additional science and engineering instruction. I just completed 4 years as the NHHS Girls' Soccer Booster President. I am always ready to serve.
https://www.
Krista Weigand - Krista Weigand was born and raised in Orange County and has called Newport Beach home for nearly 20 years. Krista is the product of public schools and daughter of a middle school teacher. She has a master's in business administration from the University of Southern California and serves as National Account Manager for a Fortune 500 company. Most importantly, Krista is a mother to five-year-old twins attending Mariners Elementary.
Krista has held various volunteer positions including university alumni advisor, team mom, and youth soccer coach. She loves seeing children succeed whether scoring a goal, learning to read or getting into the college of their dreams.
https://www.
Xeno Muller II - Xeno Ralf Muller II is a music teacher, classical guitarist, NMUSD alumni, and has been a resident of Eastside Costa Mesa his entire life. With the transition to online learning and the ever-growing divide in our politics, Xeno wishes to keep the school board virtuous, understanding, and human. As a member of a family of six and a faculty member of the acclaimed YAMAHA music school in Fullerton, Xeno is a team player and witnessed the change to online education first-hand. However school continues through and after COVID, Xeno will devote himself to the NMUSD with his entire being.
https://www.xenoralfmullerii.
Alexis Zavouris - Alexis Zavouris comes from a family that has been steeped in public service from public education, to military service, to county-level administration. She has chosen to serve her community on the board of education at a time where the challenges of COVID-19 require clear-eyed leadership. Her experience in highly regulated industries with scrupulously managed budgets provides the skills to contribute to public education and her belief that quality education is the bedrock of community success informs her vision for Newport Mesa students, teachers, and their families.
http://www.alexiszavouris.com/
Meet the Area 3 Candidates
Charles "Kent" Booker - Charles Kent Booker is running for Trustee for Area 3. He has a degree in engineering and spent 25 years in industry. He currently owns a cross country trucking business out of Riverside, CA. He has kids in 4th and 6th grade at Eastbluff Elementry. He stands for getting all the kids back to school safely, transparency through better systems and measurables, being a strong voice in the Next Generation Science Standards, and exposure to entrepreneuring to kids in every career path from college to blue collar businesses.
www.bookerbecause.com
Carol Crane - Carol is an active leader in the NMUSD school community. For the past two decades, she has advocated for student causes, for community engagement and for fiscal responsibility. She has served in numerous leadership positions in the PTA and on three Corona del Mar High School sports foundations. As a member of the NMUSD Citizens Oversight Committee on School Bond Measure F, she reviewed the expenditures by the district in order to ensure compliance. When her children were in elementary school, you could spot her organizing Girl Scout cookie sales outside Gelson's or Ralph's or running up and down the sidelines as a referee during AYSO soccer games.
www.carol4nmusd.com
Forum Moderator
Councilwoman Arlis Reynolds represents Costa Mesa's City Council District 5, the "westside." Arlis is a Costa Mesa native and attended NMUSD public schools including Pomona and Victoria Elementary Schools, TeWinkle Middle School, and Estancia High School before earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the UCI Paul Merage School of Business.
Professionally, Arlis is the Director of Engineering at a clean energy research and consulting company; as an advocate, she has focused on environmental issues including the "Save Banning Ranch" and "Save Fairview Park" campaigns; and as a Councilwoman, her priorities include pedestrian and cyclist safety; enhancing parks and community spaces; and improving community engagement. You may have seen or participated in one of monthly community bike rides, which she hopes to start again soon!
Arlis's favorite memories as an NMUSD student include singing patriotic songs to start each day at Victoria Elementary, performing at Knotts Berry Farm with the TeWinkle Band, and proudly wearing the Estancia uniform on the girl's soccer and volleyball teams.
*The PFO does not endorse a specific candidate in this race. This forum is an informational session made available to parents and community members in the spirit of education and open dialogue.
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