By Justin HAGER

Five GUSD Board of Education candidates gathered at district offices last week for a lively discussion of funding and facilities, student inclusion and mental health, the role of advocacy in school board decisions, and relationships with parents and community members. The candidates are vying for two seats on the Glendale Board of Education. Current board president Jennifer Freemon is running for re-election against teacher and community activist Joy McCreary and Las Palmas Middle School dean of students Jeremy Spurley. The other seat will be decided between incumbent board member Nayiri Nahabedian and Glendale Council PTA executive vice president Neda Farid-Farhoumand. The 90-minute forum provided each candidate one to two minutes for each of the seven questions posed by the moderator.

Although much of the forum was spent with the candidates in agreement, especially on issues of increased state funding, support for the Schools and Communities First initiative, and student mental health, the opening question saw candidates sharply divided on the most pressing needs facing the district.

Farid-Farhoumand highlighted the need for collaboration and inclusion to restore trust among stakeholders. Freemon and teacher Joy McCreary focused on mental health and providing the emotional support students need. Incumbent Nahabedian discussed safety and security, explaining that students and parents should feel both physically and emotionally safe at school and how physical safety goes beyond active violence to include issues like traffic and facilities. Spurley discussed graduation rates and college readiness.

The question that prompted the most concrete and substantive answers from candidates was the fourth question on the kinds of relationships the district and board should have with its communities, parents and families. McCreary pointed to data showing that parents don’t feel as though attending meetings is worth their time and suggested a need to completely reformat meetings to ensure they are focused on gathering input rather than making presentations. Spurley and Freemon discussed the need for board members to be more physically present and “on the ground” at school meetings and events, with Freemon even suggesting that board members and administrators could “stand outside at drop-off and pick-up.” Nahabedian emphasized the need for inviting communication prior to decision making and strengthening partnerships with community organizations. Farid-Farhoumand emphasized taking work and holiday schedules into consideration when planning events and meetings.

In perhaps the most ironic moment of the forum, candidates discussed the need for dedicating more time at meetings and events to listening and seeking input from parents on decisions, rather than presenting decisions that have already been made. Seconds later, moderators informed the parents and community members in attendance that the event’s time had expired prior to taking questions from those in attendance but that those questions would be posted online for candidates to answer.

The election will be held March 3, 2020.

Next week we present the debate among the candidates for Glendale City Council.

  Justin HAGER