School Board Election

BBME Interview:

BBME: Why did you decide to step up and run for the school board? 

WESTLAKE: “Kids are the #1 Priority”, watching the Board go so far left, and the removal of parental rights. She also has first hand experience being on governing boards, being appointed by two Nevada governors, and believes that what we need is a balance on the board. She does not believe we have that with the current members. 

 

BBME: Do you feel that you will be a part of the leadership that will listen to parents and honor their right to be involved in their education? 

WESTLAKE: Part of your job when running for office is to listen to your constituents. The constituents for WCSD are the parents who put food on the table and a roof over their head for their children. I will always listen to parents and honor their rights to be involved in their child's education. 

 

BBME: What is your stance on politics and divisive curricula in WCSD?  

WESTLAKE: I want to keep the politics out.  Education is not the place for politics. 

 

BBME:Do you believe you will be able to set personal opinions and feelings aside and act on behalf of your constituents through tough topics? 

WESTLAKE: Personal opinions should not be inserted into any political role. It can be used to draw upon if needed but the bottom line is people who are elected into office, their job is to listen to what the constituents want. I will listen to my constituents - “it’s about the majority”. 

 

BBME: Should parents have full access to all curricula taught to their children? 

WESTLAKE: YES! And the fact that we are not being provided this access is shocking and tells me that this is a ploy to teach children political views or an agenda that might not be the beliefs of the parents of these children. I would absolutely make sure that parents have access always to what is being taught to their children. It is their right as tax payers of our community. 

 

BBME: How do you feel about data being collected and distributed on our students? 

WESTLAKE: I have mixed feelings on this. I have a masters in Criminal Justice, from the University of Nevada, Reno. So I understand how important data can be. Data is critical to understand what is happening with a population. Parents either need to be made aware of what data is being collected or also have the right to opt in to have data collected on their child. However sensitive data such as names should be kept off data collection. The data needs to be "de-identifiable". I support the collection of data, so that we can better understand where our students are at because this can help us see the areas of massive improvements needed in WCSD and Nevada. 

 

BBME: How do you feel about accessibility to board meetings?  Do you believe they have been fair, accessible and transparent?  

WESTLAKE: Every parent and person in the community should have accessibility to school board meetings in person or online. While I realize that this was a struggle during COVID. I believe we are past part of that, and now our community and parents deserve to have accessibility back to the school board meetings. They are public meetings for a reason, they are also governed by open meeting laws, in the NRS for a reason. All school board meetings need to be fair, accessible and transparent. I do not believe this has been the case for the past couple of years.

 

BBME: What are your views on teachers using the classroom to promote their personal political platform or beliefs? 

WESTLAKE: This should absolutely not be allowed, and any teacher caught inserting their political platforms, belief or sexual preference should be fired, and not be eligible for rehire. This is unprofessional. Teaching needs to be about teaching. Since when did a teacher’s personal political, sexual preference or personal beliefs become something that a teacher should tell their students. This doesn't happen in the day-to-day work force, so why is this happening with our kids K to 12? Students and especially young ones can and are impressionistic. This can and will create a divide with a child and their parents and family. The public education system/classroom needs to be there to teach Math, Reading, Science, History, Social Studies, Physical Health. Beyond that, additional programs the board wants to offer should be opted in by the parents who are the tax payers of our community.