Report: More Latinos needed on school boards
By: PAUL EAKINS - Staff Writer | ∞
A recently released report states that the Escondido Union School District board of education is one of many in the county that doesn't have adequate Latino representation.
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NORTH COUNTY ---- Latino school board members bring an important perspective to education, but Latinos are underrepresented on boards throughout the state, a report released last week says.
Among the school boards identified in the report as being especially unrepresentative of the community they serve are three in North County: the Escondido Union High School District, the elementary Escondido Union School District, and Fallbrook Union High School District.
Across North County, few Latinos hold school board seats in districts that often are more than 50 percent Latino. Among 20 North County school boards, only one of the 100 board members is Latino.
In the Nov. 7 election, the number of Latino board members in North County has the potential to grow many times over, with five Latino candidates running for school board in five different districts. Area Latino leaders say that while having Latino candidates is a good step, North County has a long way to go before Latinos play a strong role in setting educational policies.
Bill Flores, a former San Dieguito Union High School District board member and a leader in the Latino community, said that with Latino students' high dropout rates and often limited post-secondary education, more Latino voices are needed on school boards.
"The Latino community has some tremendous challenges to turn some of these trends around," Flores said. "Having more Latino school board members would be a part of the answer."
Few Latinos on area school boards
The report released Monday by Latino Issues Forum, a nonprofit public policy and advocacy institute based in San Francisco, compared the percentage of Latinos living in a school district, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, to the percentage of Latinos on the school board.
The organization compiled the report from information provided by 693 of California's 979 school districts. From this information, the report identified 24 districts where Latinos are considered to be severely underrepresented because of a high number of Latinos in the community but few Latino school board members.
The report also lists 148 other school districts as simply underrepresented, with a significant but less extreme disparity. This list includes the two Escondido school districts and Fallbrook Union High, as well as two other south San Diego County school districts.
Raquel Donoso, associate director of Latino Issues Forum, said last week that while the study's overall findings weren't surprising, the range of school districts lacking in Latino representation was.
"What we were able to see is that this is an issue across urban areas, rural areas, big districts, small districts," Donoso said. "When you look at it regionally and district by district, you really get to see the disparities that are occurring."
In North County, only the Oceanside Unified School District has a Latino school board member, homemaker Emily Ortiz Wichmann, who has served on the board since 1994.
A different perspective
In Oceanside Unified, where more than half of the 19,600 students are Latino, Wichmann said she is able to give a unique viewpoint and offer a greater cultural sensitivity on some of the issues challenging students. At the same time, she said, she can address certain issues, such as those surrounding English learners, without being bound by political correctness.
"I can say things as a Latina that an Anglo can't say," said Wichmann, who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household. "I can (talk to) parents and the administration coming from my perspective."
Flores said being a Latino gave him insights his fellow board members didn't have.
"All my colleagues on the school board, they are all good-hearted people, intelligent, well-meaning and extremely giving people," Flores said. "But every once in a while, issues would come up where I felt if I did not mention its impact on the Latino community, either good or bad, it wouldn't come up."
For example, he said, when the board held expulsion hearings for students, the students often would arrive with an attorney in the largely affluent San Dieguito district. However, many Latino students had no such luxury, and often their parents didn't even understand the purpose of the expulsion hearings, Flores said.
"You try to be a balancing force, to make sure that kids who go there are represented, to make sure they don't end up with the short end of the stick," Flores said.
The Latino Issues Forum report cites a New York study that says diversity, or lack of it, on school boards can have a direct effect on Latino students.
According to the report, "researchers discovered that absent Latino school board members, Latino students were subject to more suspensions and expulsions, were under-represented in gifted and talented classes, and were over-represented in special education classes."
Ability, not ethnicity
Some current school board members said last week that no one should be elected to a school board simply because of ethnic background.
Royce Moore, board president of the Escondido Union School District, said the board is meeting the needs of the 18,500-student district, where more than 60 percent of the students are Latino.
"I feel very qualified to serve all students as a school board member, and if I didn't feel qualified, I wouldn't serve on the school board," said Moore, a retired, longtime teacher and principal in the district.
He said that having different perspectives on the board is useful, but that voters shouldn't choose board members solely because of their ethnicity.
"One of the things that we teach our children in our schools is the Martin Luther King (Jr.) philosophy to judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin," he said.
Sharon Jenkins, president of the San Marcos Unified School District board, whose seat is being challenged by three candidates, including a Latino teacher, said she works for all students.
"I feel they are represented by all five of us," Jenkins said of herself and her fellow board members.
The Latino candidate there, Carlos "Charlie" Ulloa, has campaigned not on his Latino background, but on his experience as a teacher and on his education.
Most Latino school board members, candidates and leaders interviewed last week all agreed that a board member's qualifications is the most important factor, but said diversity is still important.
The president of Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board, Patty de Jong, who isn't Latino, said she hopes that a more diverse board is chosen in the upcoming election.
The incumbent candidate has formed a coalition with another incumbent and newcomer, Abel Lopez, who de Jong said she supports because he is a district parent, while none of the board members are.
"I think it's very important to have that kind of parental representation on the board," de Jong said. "That he's Latino is an added bonus."
Latino leaders needed
But with dozens of school board positions open this election season in North County, and only five Latino candidates running, the road may be long to see a true representation of the Latino community on the boards, Latino leaders said.
In addition to Lopez in Fallbrook Union Elementary and Ulloa in San Marcos Unified, other Latino candidates in North County are:
- Jose Fragozo, in Escondido Union;
- Tania Bowman, in Escondido Union High;
- and John Ramirez, in Poway Unified.
The reasons so few Latinos run for office are varied, Latino leaders and the report say.
"A lot of the times people don't know the process to run for office," said Donoso, of Latino Issues Forum. "And running for office is becoming more costly."
Wichmann said Latino candidates must have "a foot in each culture," both the mainstream American culture and the Latino culture.
"We need to know both cultures, and both cultures well," she said. "If we haven't bridged that, it's very hard to run for office."
The Latino Issues Forum report gives several solutions to increase Latino representation.
The report suggests creating task forces and programs to identify potential Latino candidates, to train them, and to help fund all candidates' campaigns so that financial barriers are eliminated.
Also, school districts where voting is at-large ---- a system in which the top vote-getters are elected, one that is used in most school districts ---- have a slightly lower percentage of Latino school board members than districts in which candidates are elected to represent specific neighborhoods and geographic areas, the report says.
Tania Bowman, a Latino candidate for Escondido's high school district board, who ran unsuccessfully for Escondido City Council two years ago, said the number of Latinos running for office is slowly increasing. Eventually, there will be better Latino representation, she said.
"I think that it's an evolution," Bowman said. "It will change. You will see it slowly, but surely."
The full report, entitled "Beyond the Classroom: An Analysis of California's Public School Governance," can be seen at www.lif.org.
Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com.
On the Web:
"Beyond the Classroom: An Analysis of California's Public School Governance"
www.lif.org.
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Tired of it! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:03 AM: Now you are playing the race card. When will it ever stop?
What is wrong with NCT and their reporters? wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:18 AM:The people of Southern CA want LESS latinos NOT MORE! Do you not listen to the people either?
Qualifications wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:07 AM:If candidates are qualified, they will be considered. If they get voted in then they should be on the board. Not because they are Latino. They represent the voters not a race.
Jack wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:16 AM:This makes no more sense than saying we need more minorities on school boards which only results in the blind leading the blind only more so.
Fix Dropouts wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:20 AM:Students need successful role models. However, race based politics will backfire. All qualified candidates are encouraged irregardless of race.
Roberto wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:53 AM:Well...I guess the xenophobes & racist speak the truth about how they feel about Mexicans from behind their keyboards...Peck-Peck-Peck-Squack!!! It the Mexicans! Does this turn on a dim light for anyone?
Baloney wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:59 AM:I'm Latino, my father is Mexican. This whole issue of needing more Latinos on school boards because it is necessary to understand the Latino culture is a bunch of baloney. "Tired of it" is right. The race card is being played here and it's got to stop. There are no DIFFERENT cultures when it comes to education. Emily Ortiz Wichmann implies that latino students academic shortcomings are the result of the boardmembers' failure to understand the latino "culture". What a bunch of crap. There is only one culture and any suggestion that another exists with respect to education is a lie and a dodge to avoid responsibility for ones own failures. It's about time that the "latino" community recognizes that and starts accepting their own responsiblity for their children's academic shortcomings.
I 2nd the baloney wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:49 AM:I am Mexican and I don't need any different teaching that my anglo students. If we want that let's get Asian, Black, Soaman, Eurpeans on the school board. Roberto if you are so strong on the issue why don't you run?
Oh spare me! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 10:07 AM:It just keeps getting piled higher and deeper. Interesting how the Asian immigrant's kids learned English first thing and went straight towards the head of the class. Not only were they "under-represented", they had no representation. This is pure rubbish.
Vyacheslav wrote on Oct 29, 2006 10:53 AM:Not to worry. With the illegal immigration issue proceeding, and that crime against our schooling gone, then we can deal with representation. The Americans left, people that owe their allegiance to America, should then put forth elected officals that best do the job, period--in my dreams.
Alberto wrote on Oct 29, 2006 11:34 AM:When my family immigrated to the United States in the 50's, there were no "special" considerations for Hispanics. I learned English, as a result. I'm proud of my Mexican Heritage, but we're Americans. Stop supporting this nonsense. You are not helping us Latino's by bolstering forced minority politics. I do not care about the race of the Board Members, only their stance on the betterment of my Children.
Good Job wrote on Oct 29, 2006 11:41 AM:Its important for Latino students who feel underrepresented on the school board to have role models. In school districts where there is a heavily latino population, I don't see anything wrong with a latino running for the school board. When representing a district that is heavily latino it is crucial in order for ANY school board member (regardless of race) to be aware of the culture/language of their student base. Anyone that runs for the school board has an interest in helping the children regardless of their background, but if there are proven instances of underrepresentation or no representation at all then there must be a change. The school board can only do so much but the parents also must take responsibility on their childrens education. Reaching out to the latino parents who may not speak English well or not at all NOW is the key for a responsible, educated and bi-cultural adult in the future.
no friend of Herrera wrote on Oct 29, 2006 12:24 PM:I think VUSD needs Mexican representation not Latino representation. Herrera is not Mexican and she could NOT be views as a representative based on her voting track record and the fact that she associates with those that love the status quo. Maybe we just need color blind child representatives?
haha wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:15 PM:To the people that complained about illegals, this is the other backlash. Now you have latinos running for office, it was a wake up call. To the person complaining about LESS latinos, now we see your true colors. Where the support for the minuteman, whenever I see a minuteman protest, its less then 100 people, wheres the massive rallys.
Ashamed wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:25 PM:I would hope that school board members represent their entire population. There is nothing wrong with Latinos. Can't believe the ... people in today's society. If you don't living in SoCal then leave.
Underrepresented! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 3:12 PM:This twisted use of the meaning of language is tearing the fabic of society to shreds. There is no standard of representation by race. The key question, as posed by Dr. Martin Luther King, is the content of one's character, not the color of one's skin.
Roberto wrote on Oct 29, 2006 4:49 PM:Across North County, few Latinos hold school board seats in districts that often are more than 50 percent Latino. Among 20 North County school boards, only one of the 100 board members is Latino. REPLY: Like I said XENOPHOBIC!. The report pointed out the obvious. All the mass hysteria over illegals has this racist and their ilk unable to control themselves. Reminds me of of a bunch a piranhna in a small stream.
Marcus wrote on Oct 29, 2006 5:24 PM:OK, here's the deal: First, Mexicans generally don't even vote, let alone run for office in this area. Second, the idea that someone must be Latino or Hispanic to represent Mexican kids is ridiculous. That would insinuate that people of different races inherently possess some trait that makes them better at representing people of their own race. What if a rich Mexican person who grew up in Beverly Hills and doesn't speak Spanish ran for the board? What if a white person who grew up in the barrio ran against them? Which one would have a stronger understanding of the Mexican kids? Well, we know the answer to that, but these people would still be pushing for the person who passes the skin color test. This is all a bunch of hogwash to blame that elusive "xenophobia" for the fact that Mexicans in this area aren't as actively involved in their community as whites and for the fact that Mexican kids, despite tons and tons of money being thrown at the school districts, can't even learn simple grammar and math by the time they are seniors in high school. The only way that Hispanic children will succeed is if we elect someone, of any race, to the board who will set and maintain high standards and expectations for all students and hold parents responsible. Oh yeah, and close the border.
Good and Bad wrote on Oct 29, 2006 5:55 PM:I have had good teachers who were white, asian, black and hispanic. I have had bad teachers who were white asian, black and hispanic. Race, hair and skin color, or gender has no bearing on the teaching capabilities of a teacher. ... The message of fear and hate from Bill Flores is representative of the cultural baggage holding back the Mexican illegal immigrants. The national origin of school district board candidate should not matter. Most board members get elected after years of public service in the community. It is very, very difficult for an uneducated illegal alien, granted amnesty by Reagan, to be competitive in the electoral process, especially if the candidate's message is based on race, not qualifications.
Lamm wrote on Oct 29, 2006 6:34 PM:Second, to destroy America, "Invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. I would make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. I would make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.
How to Destroy America wrote on Oct 29, 2006 6:36 PM:I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school."
To roberto wrote on Oct 29, 2006 7:00 PM:"Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits ~ make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'x! xenophobes' halt discussion and debate."
teachers wrote on Oct 29, 2006 7:03 PM:A good friend of mine is a teacher in another district and they undergo hours of trainings for several months to understand the culture. Not all cultures: just "THE CULTURE". It is mandatory and on their own time in the evenings away from their families. Isn't this also done around here? So how would it be different if the board was different? Its the teachers that are on the front lines.
Roberto wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:35 PM:"Words like 'racist' or 'x! xenophobes' halt discussion and debate." " REPLY Who cares? And I disagree, The article is called "Report: More Latinos needed on school boards" If you and the racist and xenophobes don't like it, attack the report. Instead you wish to attack Mexicans & Mexican-Americans.
WWe need more Americans wrote on Oct 29, 2006 11:45 PM:I am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of Latino people, and they were not born in Mexico; so how can they be "Mexican-Americans"? I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else. I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English! My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come here and disrespect ours. I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business. And I don’t think the tax payers of this country owe you an education in Spanish or medical care through emergency room service. If you don't like my point of view, tough...
farmer wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:04 AM:Paul isnt saying vote for Latino for diversity at the expense of quality. Thats the general stereotype in society. Latinos want to brings all groups together. That is not happening as it should.
farmer wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:05 AM:Paul isnt saying vote for Latino for diversity at the expense of quality. Thats the general stereotype in society. Latinos want to brings all groups together. That is not happening as it should.
farmer wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:05 AM:Paul isnt saying vote for Latino for diversity at the expense of quality. Thats the general stereotype in society. Latinos want to brings all groups together. That is not happening as it should.
farmer wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:07 AM:Paul isnt saying vote for Latino for diversity at the expense of quality. Thats the general stereotype in society. Latinos want to brings all groups together. That is not happening as it should.
farmer wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:07 AM:Paul isnt saying vote for Latino for diversity at the expense of quality. Thats the general stereotype in society. Latinos want to brings all groups together. That is not happening as it should.
Maria wrote on Oct 30, 2006 12:00 PM:I 3rd the BALONEY! So many people trying to jump on the bandwagon.We need LESS La Raza. Not more
Maria wrote on Oct 30, 2006 12:06 PM:To ha ha MANY of us are protesting by voting accordingly don't get your hopes up.
To baloney wrote on Oct 30, 2006 3:51 PM:Its not about giving a latino education. its about the attention to detail of a different culture. Educations is where it starts. Some parents are working 2 or 3 jobs and some have a low education background. Its takes somebody from that culture to help place a spotlight. And it will help all minority groups not just hispanics.
What wrote on Oct 31, 2006 9:00 PM:Response to 10/30 3:51 PM comment. I'm a minority and don't agree that just because somebody is hispanic, he or she would help my race. My vote will go to who I feel is the most qualified, latino or not. Where do you draw the line? Do you also think there should be a representative for African, Vietnamese, Japanese, etc.?
latinalaw wrote on Nov 6, 2006 3:56 PM:This is insulting to me and my family who immigrated here legally over 50 years ago and have fully assimilated into this culture. No bilingual education, no special ethno-politics, no living in Third world squalor. We want an educational system that represents the best interests of all children, and sets high standards for everyone regardless of race, or national origin. I would vote against any school board candidate who uses his/her ethnic background as a badge of honor to "QUALIFY" his/her candidacy for this position. My needs and that of my children for academic success doesn't have anything to do with our heritage. We are Americans. Get the "La Razas" out of the School Boards and don't buy into this racial baloney. They don't speak for me!
Concerned wrote on Nov 6, 2006 4:13 PM:To Latinalaw. Well said. Bravo for you. My friend came here from Switzerland when she was nine. She spoke no English then. Today, she's finishing a PhD at Princeton. All it takes is ambition and courage.
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