Barbara Ryan, Retired, Santee School District Board member
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for re-election to be able to continue working to provide the best possible education for Santee students.
With studies showing students are behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what would you do on the policy level in ensuring students behind are able to catch up?
I would support the continuation of the programs that have been put into place which address academics and a child’s well-being: providing small class size, intervention, instructional materials, and additional support staff to address the whole child.
Are you a proponent of armed teachers in classrooms as a way of addressing school safety?
I am not.
How would you address school safety so parents and volunteers could access campus while unwanted individuals are kept away?
School safety is a high priority for the Santee School District. Our Board policies demonstrate this commitment. We have a comprehensive school safety plan for each school and have invested in prevention and protection. The Board took action at our last meeting to procure cameras for all district property as recommended by the District’s Safety Committee.
How can the district support homeless students?
A full-time counselor has been hired to work exclusively with our homeless students and provide services to families to support improved student performance.
Under what circumstances is it appropriate to ban books from school classrooms and libraries?
To my knowledge, no book has been banned from Santee School District classrooms or libraries. We have taken steps to provide alternate instruction and/or reading material for students in families who have objected to specific books.
What are your top three goals, if elected?
To assure that all students receive an education that adequately prepares them for their future.
To make sure our campuses are safe and secure.
To address the mental/behavioral health needs of our students.
What curriculum or activities would you advocate for to better challenge advanced students?
The Santee School District has adopted complex math and science curriculum as well as assessment tools to determine a student’s strengths and weaknesses. In addition, an assessment tool to determine a student’s strengths was adopted in order for them to be able to consider career pathways in middle school
How would you connect with the neighboring community?
I have found that a good way to connect with the community is to be involved and serve as much as possible in many capacities. I serve on committees throughout the County to advance the needs of students from legislative advocacy to becoming involved in efforts to support children and youth.
Which past efforts from your board would you choose to amplify or grow, and which would you choose to end or phase out?
I would not end or phase out anything the district is currently providing. Please refer to Question 7 for the efforts I would amplify or grow.
