Sandoval seeks third term

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A current member of the Grants/Cibola County School Board, Dion Sandoval is making his bid for a third term as the District 2 seat, which serves San Rafael and part of Grants.

Sandoval has served for eight years on the board and says he has come a long way and learned a lot in that time. He said he continues to learn.

The candidate was born and raised in San Rafael, he said, and went to school in the county school district. After graduating from Grants High School, Sandoval attended New Mexico State University and wants to return when he can find the time.

The candidate had three sons and a daughter in district schools.

Sandoval said he wants to keep his seat on the board to continue the good work the board has accomplished in the last eight years, and that he is student focused.

“We’re doing good; we’ve made at total turnaround,” he said and added he is proud to be a part of it.

The candidate listed new programs in the schools, the return of physical education to the elementary schools, professional development for staff, the dual enrollment program with NMSU-Grants and language programs among specific successes he sees for the board and district.

He noted that today the schools have continuity with the current superintendent remaining in office for several years, unlike the constant turnover he saw during his first term on the board.

Sandoval also said there are things like, a higher percentage of federal Impact Aid money and more pay for the staff he would like to see, but he does not know of areas where the district is weak or doing anything badly.

The failings, mostly financial, he said, were not those of the district, but of the government.

“(AYP) is tough to meet. We’re doing OK, but we still have a lot of work to do,” the candidate stated.

He added, “No Child Left Behind is under funded.” If the federally mandated program provided better funding, the district might be able to provide more after-school, special education, and summer school programs, which would improve AYP performance, he explained.

Sandoval said that he has heard negative comments about the high salaries district administrators make, but the salaries are in line with those of other districts with the same student ratio. He added that the board researched salaries in districts throughout the state before deciding what to pay the district’s top personnel.

Addressing claims that many people are afraid to express concerns they have about things in the schools, he said that students, teachers and parents have a process they can use to discuss issues. Those who do not speak out for fear of reprisal against themselves or their children “should not be that way,” he added. The candidate explained that they should go through the chain of command, but added that they can come to board members. “We don’t tolerate repercussions.”

The candidate urges everyone to vote tomorrow, no matter how they vote.