Folsom Cordova Unified School Board Race: Meet the candidates for District 5

Jennifer Laret

Age: 43

Occupation: Vice President of A4 Promotions & Incentives

Website: www.jenlaret.com

1. If elected, what strategies or changes should FCUSD focus on to improve educational outcomes for all students?

We need to duplicate some of our best practices and programs from some of our most successful sites. The Riverview Stem Academy is one of our most successful schools, yet we have been slow at the district to replicate its success and programing at other sites. We need to be looking at new and innovative programs for each of our schools and should be sunsetting some of our older programs where we aren’t seeing measurable successes. Also, without STEM academies we don’t have a pathway forward for them past the elementary level. I would love to see additional secondary grade schools that adopt this curriculum so that there is a continuity of education for those students. We also need to expand our supports for Special Education and ESL students. We have many refugee students in our district that could benefit for expanded supports in ESL.

I would also promote smaller class sizes in the K-3 rd grade classes. We need to really get our students the support that they need in that critical building block stage.

2. What role do schools have in teaching students about bullying, race and equity?

We want to make sure that our schools are safe for all students physically, mentally, and emotionally. I think that schools should promote programs and education that celebrate our differences but the education on bullying, race, and equity really starts with an education in the home. Our district should focus on programs that include our families so that we can include parents, youth coaches, city leaders, and communities in the conversation. We need to work as an entire community to education our youth on bullying and racial discrimination issues.

3. FCUSD is growing with additional schools. Some schools are, and could become, impacted. What will you do to ensure that students have their needs met and resources are available?

One thing that we really need to look at is the aging infrastructure at some of our older campuses and looking at remodeling and improving those sites as possible locations to take in the additional students.We will also need to strengthen our transportation department to ensure that the students coming from farther distances have the ability to use our school transportation services. We also need to make sure that we are giving the support needed to our Innovation Academy for the students who prefer a more at home learning experience.

Ed Short

The candidate did not respond to questions.

This story was originally published October 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Folsom Cordova Unified School Board Race: Meet the candidates for District 5."