Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Gary Oddi
Current job title: Retired educator
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Appointed to Temecula Community Service Commission
City where you reside: Temecula
Campaign website or social media: https://www.oddifortvusdschoolboard.com/, https://www.facebook.com/oddifortvusd/
How can the school district best meet the needs of all students, including those learning English, those who need mental health service, those in special education programs and those from low-income backgrounds?
It’s difficult to meet the differing needs of all students, but that’s what we must do. As a trustee I will support policies that engage all students in learning.I will advocate for funding and resources to assure that teachers and support staff are trained with the most current instructional strategies and intervention systems, giving them the tools and knowledge to teach students with diverse needs across the learning spectrum.Resources must be provided to teachers, to support staff — and to families — so that they can work together to prepare all students for success in the 21st century. Fortunately, we have some Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) funds to help individual schools decide on and fund programs to meet these needs. But it won’t be easy. Budget projections show decreased funding in the next few years, and in the past two years, money and attention have been wasted on policies that do not help student learning.We must refocus. In an ever-changing world filled with technological advancement, we must commit to programs and instruction for all students that promote wellness and academic success, not only preparing them for the future, but empowering them to embrace the future.
Some school districts have adopted transgender notification policies to notify parents if a student says they are transgender. If your district has such a policy, do you support or oppose it? Why? If yours does not, would you support or oppose such rules? Why?
I’m a parent and a grandparent, and I understand and share parents’ concerns about being involved in any major change in their students’ lives. As a TVUSD teacher and administrator, I also know that school personnel urge students to discuss any major change with their parents.I’ve heard some wild rumors about schools and gender issues. Let me assure all parents and community members that I will work hard as a trustee to encourage the best possible communication system that connects parents, teachers, and administration as they work together for student safety and success.In any case, the parental notification policy our school board passed is against Education Code and may soon be against the law. The California Department of Education has notified TVUSD that it cannot implement the policy. Because this policy is against Ed Code, I would vote to rescind this policy. Public schools are required to follow the law, and as a trustee, I must follow the law.
What is the biggest issue the school district faces, and how would you address it?
Policies, comments, and public behavior by TVUSD trustees in the past two years have incited anger, fear, and divisive dialogue in our community distracting our leadership from focusing on what’s important: TVUSD student safety and learning.I have demonstrated the qualities that are urgently needed for TVUSD trustees. In multiple settings I have exemplified servant leadership: putting others before me, empathizing with others, instilling collaborative leadership models, and putting forth a genuine effort to listen to all sides of a discussion before making decisions.I am committed to building bridges, respecting processes, and getting good work done for our students. As a candidate and trustee, I will meet with anyone who has ideas, needs clarification on my positions, or wants to get involved in a positive movement to make TVUSD the best it can be for our students.On a more formal level, I am proposing an inclusive process to design a multiyear master plan for improving TVUSD. The planning team will be made up of a broad spectrum of groups and individuals representing the community. Their input will influence goal setting, spending, and instruction. The result will be a master plan that reflects the needs of our community.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities within the school district?
Years of experience have prepared me to learn quickly and get to work for our students.I am currently a commissioner for the city of Temecula. I recently founded and was the president of the board of directors for a local nonprofit. In these roles I’ve stayed up to date with board decorum that can help me collaborate with other TVUSD board members.I have volunteered in classrooms and programs at TVUSD schools where my daughters attended and at district schools where my grandchildren currently attend. Having the perspective of a parent, grandparent, and volunteer is essential in being a trustee who can empathize and collaborate with parents and families of our students.Finally, I am a career educator with a variety of experiences in teaching, coaching, extra-curricular activities, and administration. I have worked in private and public schools, mostly in TVUSD, from kindergarten to master’s level college courses and have taught a myriad of subjects and programs. This broad range of educational experiences gives me valuable background as a trustee to make decisions on student safety, curriculum and instruction, and fiscal policies.
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