Portales school board hopefuls discuss skills, issues

The following is a Q&A with candidates for Position 4 on the Portales Municipal Schools Board of Education.

Antonio Sanchez is running for re-election. He is running against Braden Fraze, William Hilliard and Meredith Seifert. Attempts to contact Hilliard were unsuccessful.

Candidates were asked the same questions over the phone.

The election is Nov. 2.

Why did you decide to run?

Fraze: I want to be involved in my community and I grew up in a family where both my parents were teachers. I got married and my wife and I intend to have children that will attend Portales schools.

Sanchez: I have been active since 2010 and am running for re-election: The reason being I have two kids still in high school so I like to remain informed about what’s going on, the current issues.

Seifert: I decided to run a few years ago when I saw some policies and procedures that did not serve our students well all of the time. The most important thing that happens in the school district is learning and I believe we need to refocus all of our energy on that.

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

Fraze: My experience is minimal. However, I have grown up in a family of teachers and people involved in the school system. I am a business owner in Portales of Farm Bureau Financial Services. I will gauge all of my decisions as a school board member in prayer and by using God’s word as my foundation.

Sanchez: I’ve got a lot of experience since I’ve been on the board for 11 years. I’m very familiar with the legislative process at the statewide level and have experience replacing superintendents and with school board budgets.

Seifert: I am a mother. I have a background in marketing and human resources. I have always been a fearless advocate for people who need a voice.

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

Fraze: I prefer we try to review all the amendments to the existing school district board policy in the past two years and have it open for discussion in the following meeting. The reason for that is to be able to get the new school board members up to speed on those decisions.”

Sanchez: I just want to continue to support the school and its administration. I don’t come in with a preconceived agenda. I think what we have been doing is good. But I do believe the Public Education Department has overreached their authority. We addressed that issue through a board resolution that was sent to the PED.

Seifert: It feels as though the leadership currently cares more about title and pleasantries than what our focus should be, which is children learning. I want to immediately return to calling it a school board, which is what it is legally instead of board of education, and move forward using first names only. These are servant leadership positions and this is not a time for formality.

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

Fraze: I would like to help present ideas outside of our normal curriculum, such as preparing students for life after high school. For example, understanding the basics of taxes, how to get a job and handling finances.”

Sanchez: My long-term goal has been and continues to be as active on the board as possible while my children are attending.

Seifert: I would like to make our school district a cleaner and healthier environment for our children by re-evaluating every cleaning product, hand soap and hand sanitizer, etc. that is used in our buildings. The products we currently use cause cancer, which seems counterproductive. We can do better.

Why are you the best person for the job?

Fraze: I am the best person for this position as I know and understand the needs of this community. My decisions as a school board member will be ethical. I will be honest and will stand behind those who put me into this position.”

Sanchez: I have years of experience, knowledge of policies and procedures, experience with the budgeting process and a working relationship with the PED.

Seifert: I am honest, unfiltered, a willing advocate and fearless.