Gary Shields, Magnolia School District Area 5 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire – Orange County Register

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.

Name: Gary Shields

Age: Did not provide

Current job title: Retired

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: 2014-2022, Governing Board Member, Magnolia School District

City where you reside: Anaheim

Campaign website or social media: vote4shields.com

What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

Declining enrollment is an issue impacting most schools in the area. To address this issue, it is important to ensure that our schools maintain high standards in academics and offer a variety of enrichment programs. Magnolia already has high-performing schools and incredible programs such as the dual language immersion program at Dr. Peter Marshall School as well as specialized programs at Juliette Low School of the Arts, Robert M. Pyles STEM Academy, and now the Dr. Albert Schweitzer Leadership Academy. While they may not all carry a specific discipline in their titles, it is important to note that all nine of our schools offer incredible programs.

Safety will always be a top concern for parents in any school district. I will always listen to concerns and address these concerns by continuously supporting and maintaining the high safety standards that are already in place in our district. As a parent and grandparent of previous Magnolia School District students, I always felt safe sending my kids to school, and I want every parent to feel the same.

To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

Being on a school board is no small task. It is a big responsibility that must be taken seriously. My role will be to ensure accountability to the public and make decisions that will best serve ALL students. Everybody counts!

How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

At an elementary level, I am not a big fan of it in the classroom. I feel that it can impede critical thinking and students’ ability to develop social skills. I’m sure there is a place for it in education, and it is up to our educators to figure out how to best utilize this technology in the classroom environment.

How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

The key to civil discourse is respect, and it is important to educate students on how to be respectful toward each other and learn how to discuss facts to reach common ground. Magnolia has already laid the groundwork for civil discourse through kindness. All nine of Magnolia School District’s schools are Certified Kindness Schools where students are always encouraged to perform infinite acts of kindness.

Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

While subsidized housing may work for larger, citywide districts, it may not be the most effective model for Magnolia. For many years, the Magnolia School District has consistently worked to maintain competitive salaries for our employees to attract and maintain high-quality educators. Magnolia continues to be in the top third of salaries for similarly sized districts in Orange County. As a governing board member, I would continue to support this goal.

What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

I was a governing board member for eight years in the Magnolia School District. Prior to that, I served on the Citizens Oversight Committee for Bond Measure I. In these roles, I developed an in-depth understanding of education, school business, and facilities. Beyond these roles, I spent over 30 years in law enforcement. Throughout my career, beyond serving our community as deputy sheriff, I served as a team leader, training officer, and instructor which helped me refine my skills in the areas of listening, teamwork, and respect.

If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

This is a fun one! My mascot would be a horse. During my career in law enforcement, I spent many years working with horses on the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Mounted Unit. I quickly learned that working with horses is about building trust; if they trust you, you can trust them. This trust leads to excellent teamwork.

Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

I am not much of a book reader. I spend a lot of time reading with my grandchildren, as it is a better experience than one can find in any novel. To answer the question honestly, the most recent book that WE have read is “A Halloween Scare in California.” I won’t spoil it for you in case you want to read it for yourself, but I will say that it is a real treat.