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.<\/p>\n
Name: Alfonso Rodriguez<\/p>\n
Age: 50<\/p>\n
Current job title: Teacher<\/p>\n
Incumbent: No<\/p>\n
Other political positions held: N\/A<\/p>\n
City where you reside: Anaheim<\/p>\n
Campaign website or social media: Instagram: @alfonsorodriguez4auhsd<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
Fiscal responsibility and authentically supporting the AUHSD communities.<\/p>\n
We need to maximize our dollars in every aspect possible. I would start with benefits and transportation. One way is to possibly look at other companies to ensure we are getting the best deal for health plans. As a former athletic director, I know buses were expensive. Kids need to be taken to school and games, but we could look at creative ways to lower the costs. For example, private companies.<\/p>\n
Another conversation I would have is ensuring we\u2019re maximizing all of our credentialed teachers. This would not only possibly lower class sizes and help younger teachers learn from the veteran leaders, but save money as well. Curriculum specialists, teachers on special assignment, directors and possibly administrators can all teach one to three classes before they take on their daily specified role. A current working example of this is that athletic directors and activities directors need to teach three classes prior to specifically working on their duties.<\/p>\n
We are now community schools, so we have the responsibility to authentically help all parents and students in our district. We cannot take sides as leaders; we need to listen to all voices.<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
The board helps set policy, approves budgets and contracts, works on setting the agenda, evaluates the superintendent, and analyzes results. As a history teacher, in my class we\u2019re currently going over the idea of a republic, where citizens elect leaders to make decisions for them and their society. In this case, Area 1\u2019s citizens are electing the board member who will represent their community best.<\/p>\n
I know some of the policies are driven by our state. However, students in Anaheim and all of California are not receiving the same accountability in education as they were 10 years ago. Anaheim legendary football coach Clare van Hoorebeke stated, \u201cThere is no learning without discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n
We need to ensure that kids learn and grades are not inflated, while at the same time helping better support our attendance issues. I believe my knowledge as a teacher, coach and parent who lives in the community is relevant. Realtor Paul Kott stated, \u201cAlfonso, your opinion matters and your voice is important to our city and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn\u2019t, 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.)<\/p>\n
As an educator, this has been a bigger issue since COVID. I\u2019ve worked with colleagues who only use Chromebooks and AI. A teacher\u2019s educational freedom is about teaching standards and where you apply them the best way you feel comfortable. However, once a student is on a Chromebook, it opens up the temptation to use AI. It\u2019s definitely more problematic at the high school level.<\/p>\n
In order to make a point to my students, one of my first homework assignments is to have them write a five-paragraph essay, printed neatly on a piece of paper. 90% bring back an AI-generated response. I tell them that using AI is cheating, but at the same time they actually wrote on paper and copied complete topic sentences, transitions, and formal writing. I believe there should be a limited day of the week or quarter when you are allowed to use a Chromebook or AI for the right purposes. Maybe a common lesson plan within a subject, PTA or other projects.<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
AUHSD did a great job from 2014-2017 with civil discourse. There are still many great teachers supporting this effort, but many other teachers are not passionate or feel a need to apply this to their class. If the educator is forced to support that which is not content-based, it can cause civil discourse to be ineffective. I believe student school groups can take the lead with civil discourse. A strong group on campus is student-led, which will be different at all of our sites. Community schools and FACES have been valuable commodities. There are several tweaks that they need. It would help with more thorough discussions with Dr. Fried and his Board.<\/p>\n
As a former AD and coach, I would work seven days a week because I wanted to best serve my students and the community I lived in. Our leaders at the AUHSD office should be directly advising our strongest school clubs. This will allow them to be invested in the community in greater ways and directly support students.<\/p>\n
Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract \u2014 and retain \u2014 educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t have a teacher shortfall in Anaheim. Many young teachers receiving their credential in our vicinity are applying to our district. Orange County is a great place to live and raise families, including Anaheim.<\/p>\n
To better attract the best future teachers and retain them, we need to make sure we support them. We have to maximize our support for the classroom, not the board. Health benefits, ASTA union, and having a positive reputation are important. A true meritocracy, where a teacher and any employee is valued for their hard work, is what needs to be emphasized. As a potential board member, I am one voice. I can hopefully start the conversation process with the rest of the board, superintendent and his staff. Anaheim Union High School District needs to be an entity that shows it cares about its employees and community.<\/p>\n
Social media and colorful flyers can be sent to all families with children in Anaheim and its larger vicinity that demonstrate the best things happening in our district. We have new turf fields, swimming pools, buildings, support for special ed, VAPA and the like, which we can showcase for them to see what their child can join.<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
I have been athletic director for eight years, host parent for European students for six years, former appointed parks and recreation commissioner, BROS advisor for five years, once CABE president (bilingual education), Alumni Association Board for 15 years, Varsity Boys basketball coach for 14 years, partner with local City Church, parent of three boys all attending public schools and teacher for over 25 years.<\/p>\n
The classroom is the single most valuable resource for our students. Chromebooks, group work, student-led, no matter the content and activities\u2026at the end of the day, kids will learn if they know you care and you, as an educator, connect with the students. Managing an athletic budget and overseeing dozens of coaches as an AD has prepared me for school budgets in all capacities and for communicating with district personnel. As BROS advisor, we became the strongest group in our district by making it student-led. The club\u2019s goals were to increase the amount of Latino males to attend and graduate from college. They received thousands of dollars in grants and held dozens of community events.<\/p>\n
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)<\/p>\n
An eagle to see all that is occurring and bring it back to the district. I would love to be able to \u201cfly\u201d around our schools to share the positives and what needs improvement. I would do the same with all different departments in our district: business, transportation, health care, etc. Eagles are associated with seeing the bigger picture and rising higher. I would make sure all parents and students have a voice. We would soar to higher standards together. The eagle acts quickly and turns vision into action. We cannot take our time, as the future of our kids is at stake. Doing nothing and waiting is detrimental.<\/p>\n
Bonus question: What is the best book you\u2019ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Good Earth\u201d by Pearl S. Buck. The author was raised for several years in China. She knew the culture, traditions and history of that region. The story follows O-lan, a woman who married a poor farmer, Wang Lung. Over time, Wang becomes wealthier due to O-lan. They have several boys, which was considered good luck at that time. Over time, the family goes through highs and lows. It covers the importance of a woman in any family and the role they obey for its riches and success.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tKatie McEwen, Irvine Unified School District Area 2 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tQuan Vuong, Garden Grove Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tTracy La, Garden Grove Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n