Clovis school board candidates talk qualifications

The following is a Q&A with candidates for District 1 of the Clovis school board.

Kyle Snider is running for re-election against Sharon Epps and Rosa Sanchez.

Candidates were each asked the same questions via phone.

The election is Nov. 2.

Why did you decide to run?

Epps: I decided to run because I have a passion for Clovis schools and student achievement is my No. 1 goal. I am a native of Clovis and attended all 12 years of school in Clovis.

Sanchez: I decided to run because there are issues currently on the surfaces and in our faces and when I started attending the school board meetings back in July, I felt like there were voices that were not being represented. So I decided to run in hopes that I could be the representative of those voices.

Snider: I’ve been on the school board for nine years. The last two years have been the toughest years in the past nine. So, I decided to re-run because No. 1, I want to keep the kids in the classroom. Also I want to fight for local control for school boards and try to make it easier for teachers with less a load so they can teach the kids.

What experience and/or skills do you have that you believe will help you in your time on the board?

Epps: I taught fourth and fifth grade at James Bickley Elementary for 14 years. Then I was the principal at Highland Elementary for 14 years. I also was a principal in Portales for five years. I substituted in Clovis schools off-and-on for a couple of years.

Sanchez: I served as a teacher for one year at Gattis Middle School and I saw some problems in the school system, particularly with teacher retention.

The other part of my experience is being a parent of two kids in the school system, where I still see that issue of teacher retention.

Snider: I’ve been a board member for nine years. I believe if a new board member comes in, it will take at least a year for them to catch up. I also am a business owner for 25 years in Clovis. Also, I have a good relationship with all county and state representatives.

What is something you want to address in your first meeting of the elected term?

Epps: If I’m elected, I’m going to be doing a lot of learning and listening. I want to make sure we are focusing on goals that offer all students a chance to receive fair and equal learning opportunities.

Sanchez: My first board meeting, should I win the elected seat, I would like to address the issues we are currently facing if they are not resolved by that time, such as the mask mandates, the overreach regarding COVID requirements, and the implementation of the new proposed social studies standards.

Snider: Being that I’m on the school board now, I just want to continue trying to get local control for the schools and keep the kids in the classroom. Also I want to push back on the additional curriculum the state is mandating.

What is a long-term goal you have for the four years of the position?

Epps: First of all, I hope we see graduates come out of our school system as productive citizens for the future. I would hope that the students are made aware and realize that education is their foundation that will lead them to achieve and attain the quality of life they deserve.

Sanchez: I feel like the current policies tend to put more responsibility on the teachers than what should be put on them. Also, teachers are asked to be responsible for extra duties that do not take place inside the classroom. My overall goal would be to alleviate the pressures on teachers, which would give us happy students — the kids should always be put first.

Snider: The long term is to continue to keep the kids in the classroom, try to take off some of the workload for the teachers and try to develop outdoor classrooms at every site. This is so kids can learn outside to get mask breaks.

Why are you the best person for the job?

Epps: I’m the best person for the job because I have the passion, experience and dedication and the time to fight for Clovis’ rights and listen to the people of the community. I pray that God will continue to give the staff and administration the strength, favor and wellness that it takes to face each new battle every day.

Sanchez: I think I am the best person for the job because I feel what the parents feel, I’ve felt what the teachers have felt, and I feel we are all at the point where everybody needs to be held accountable for trying to create an environment for our kids and for the people within the environment, who are caring for our kids. That includes our school board members.

Snider: I know I will work hard for the district. I will do whatever it takes to go to the state to fight for everybody in the Clovis schools. I believe it takes everybody from the bottom to the top to make Clovis schools run and I will fight for everybody in the Clovis schools.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Kathleen Stinson