With the retirement of the sole woman on the Anaheim City School District (ACSD) Board, there is the potential that half the population may be without representation come this December. One longtime resident, former parent and longtime school administrative assistant, Cecilia Lopez, is seeking to make sure that does not come to pass.
Cecilia Lopez and her husband have been residents of Anaheim for 31 years. They raised their 3 daughters in this city and all attended Anaheim public schools (Anaheim City School District and Anaheim Union High School District.). She was an avid volunteer in her children’s schools and was very involved in their education.
Lopez has worked in a school district for 24 years, and 14 of those years as an Administrative Assistant in the Tustin Unified School District. She was a member of the PTA, so she knows the needs of the parents, teachers, and students. She is pro-labor and has been a proud CSEA member for 10 plus years. She has significant experience in negotiations, reviewing budgets, and offers a positive change with fresh leadership. She is passionate about expanding after-school programs, education accountability, and Parent Involvement.
Cecilia Lopez is endorsed by the California School Employees Association, Orange County Labor Federation and Dr. Jose Moreno. We had the opportunity to ask Cecilia some questions and here are her answers.
1. What inspired you to run for the Anaheim City School District?
I want to make a difference in my city and community. I want to work collaboratively with the staff, parents, and students of Anaheim to help prepare them for the future. Parents need to be involved in their student’s education and we need to get students excited about school. We can’t fail our students, they are our future. It is our civil duty and responsibility to support our students and set a strong foundation for them to build on.
2. What are your top priorities if you are elected?
After-School Programs at ALL elementary schools. Parent Involvement and Parent Education – We need to give our parents the tools to help their children become better students. We also need to restore the schools prior to the cuts made during the recession years.
3. What do you feel is the best way to use LCAP money to improve district schools?
We need to restore staff and programs that are vital to our students. We need to get input from all investors which include: Administration, teachers, classified staff, parents, and even our students. We need to have our schools functioning at full capacity once again.
4. Do you support the expansion of dual immersion education? If Yes, how would you implement the expansion?
Yes, I do support dual immersion education. The main focus is for students to achieve strong levels of academic proficiency in two languages, one being their native language and the other, English. These programs add value to their cultural diversity. This method is a great advantage for our students to learn in their native tongue. Due to the large Hispanic population in Anaheim, I would push to expand the dual immersion program in most if not all of the schools in Anaheim.
5. Where do you stand on the Parent Trigger Law and Corporate Charter Schools?
I don’t believe in charter schools. There is no true research that indicates a charter school is the best option for parents and students. I understand the law is to provide parents with options when their neighborhood schools are failing them, but this is not the case within Anaheim City School District. I do believe there needs to be open and honest dialogue with parents to address their concerns.
A few selective parents are being used as pawns for the gain of one disgruntled ex-principal. These parents aren’t being told the entire truth about charter schools. They are being told and believe their children will have a better education within a charter schools. But many parents don’t realize charter schools cherry-pick which student enters, and shuts out special education students who will never be allowed in. Parents need to be educated and actively participating and volunteering in their children’s schools. Working together is the only answer.
It’s quite amusing to see this blog say they’re going to interview Anaheim’s rising Latino political stars…and only interview Jose’s chosen.
Cecilia Lopez was not chosen by Dr. Jose F. Moreno….the people asked her to run for the betterment of the School District.
The last time I checked, you’re the editor-in-chief of a publication; what’s stopping you from writing about any rising politician — and why do they have to be Latino?
We are pleased that one of OC Weekly’s nationally renowned food critics has taken an interest in local rising Latino/Latina political stars. We look forward to reading his review of recipes for Latino/Latina candidates that suit his political palate. We are certain that his thoughtful analysis will be as riveting, insightful, and humorous as his critique of tacos in the United States.
He is also the Keeper of OC Ancient History – as he likes to bring up OC’s 1920’s KKK shenanigans and make believe those things are relevant to today in OC.
Gustavo, please give this blog guidance. Which Latino candidates who are heroes of La Raza are they failing to spotlight? Show this blog the light and reveal who are these alternatives to Dr. Moreno’s chosen ones. I am sure they would never steer the Latino people wrong and side with the Murray-Pringle axis, would they?
The answer is nobody. They don’t like any politicians
Mrs. Lopez is the “chosen one” of those bullies, Carolyn Everett and Kathy Heard. So now they are the “people?” It os obvious that Mrs. Lopez has no idea what she is being asked to do. She follows along the two bullies while serious candidates who are upstanding members of CSEA are not given their support because they can’t control them. ON November 4, VOTE NO ON MORENO (Moreno #1, that is), Ryan RUelas, Jeff COle, Annemarie Randle-Trejo, and Al Jabbar. That’s the Dr. Jose F. Moreno slate, Dr. Jose #1that is. VOTE NO ON THESE MORENO-RUELAS ALLIES.
I see the Curt Pringlebots have arrived! Disregard folks, people like this are the real bullies.
Thanks, OC Liberal for an insightful interview with Cecelia Lopez. I share Ms. Lopez’ trepidation of charter schools, little more than fiefdom’s funded on the taxpayer dime. Several corporate-funded charters in North Carolina came under fire for gross conflict of interest and profiteering.