Melissa Finch
Melissa Finch was a candidate for District 6 representative on the Albuquerque Public Schools school board in New Mexico. Finch was defeated in the by-district general election on February 7, 2017.
Elections
2017
Four of the seven seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education were up for by-district general election on February 7, 2017. In his bid for re-election to District 3, incumbent Lorenzo Garcia defeated challengers Ali Ennenga, Amy Legant, and Charles White. District 5 incumbent Steven Michael Quezada and District 6 incumbent Don Duran did not file to run for re-election, leaving both seats open for newcomers. Four candidates—Annie Bell-Rahman, Rachel Gonzales, Kayla Marshall, and Candelaria Patterson—ran for the District 5 seat, and Patterson won the race. Six candidates—Abbas Ali Akhil, Elizabeth Armijo, C. Douglas Brown, Melissa Finch, Paula Maes, and Paul Sievert—ran for the District 6 seat, and Armijo won. The race for the District 7 seat featured incumbent David Peercy and challengers Ian Burch, William Steinberg, and Brian Tierney. Peercy won re-election to the board.[1] A total of six candidates withdrew from the race before their names were put on the ballot: R. Jason Vaillancourt in District 3, Than-Lan Sena, Alex Villanueva, and Anne Young in District 5, Stephen Verchinski in District 6, and Sina-Aurelia Pleasant-Soul in District 7.[2][3]
Results
| Albuquerque Public Schools, District 6 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Elizabeth Armijo |
53.27% | 2,622 |
| C. Douglas Brown | 18.39% | 905 |
| Abbas Ali Akhil | 13.04% | 642 |
| Paul Sievert | 7.58% | 373 |
| Paula Maes | 5.28% | 260 |
| Melissa Finch | 2.44% | 120 |
| Total Votes | 4,922 | |
| Source: Bernalillo County Clerk, "APS/CNM School Board Election February 7, 2017," accessed February 22, 2017 and Bernalillo County Clerk, "APS/CNM School Board Election was certified Friday, Feb. 10th, 2017," February 13, 2017 | ||
Funding
Finch reported no contributions or expenditures to the New Mexico Secretary of State in the election.[4]
Campaign themes
2017
Finch participated in a questionnaire provided by the Albuquerque school district. The district's questions are shown in bolded text, and Finch's answers follow below.
1. Why do you want to be a board member for Albuquerque Public Schools?
| “ | I believe in the importance of quality public education. I have 3 children enrolled in
APS. They attended Inez Elementary and currently attend Grant Middle School and Sandia High School. I have a vested interest in seeing APS strive to be the best. I believe every child should have the best opportunity to achieve a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
2. What is your interest in education?
| “ | Education is important. Every child should receive a quality education regardless of
their background, race or socioeconomic status. As a parent, I see the effects of some of these circumstances. I see the hard work many students and parents invest in their future. I have had the privileged of meeting and working with many skilled teachers. I see how hard they work to provide a quality education.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
3. In what ways will you support the mission and vision of the district?
| “ | As a board member, I would:
|
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
4. How will you work with the superintendent?
| “ | The superintendent is the person the school board has entrusted to lead the school
district. As board members, it is our duty to do our due diligence to make sure we have the right person in that position. Currently, we have Ms. Reedy and I believe she has the best interest of students and teachers in mind. I would like to keep an open dialogue and trust that she will make informed decisions and be transparent with the school board.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
5. What is your past and current involvement with Albuquerque Public Schools?
| “ | My children are the main reason for my involvement with APS. I am the parent you
will see at Parent Teacher Conferences or any opportunity to engage with teachers. I am at various school events both academic and athletic supporting my children and friends.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
6. What should be the relationship between the superintendent and Board of Education?
| “ | The relationship between the superintendent and the Board of Education should be a respected collaboration.[5] | ” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
7. What qualities and skills would you bring to the Board of Education?
| “ | Possess excellent communication skills-patience to listen and understand. Make informed decisions, do not act in haste. Desire to help. Ability to work with diverse groups.[5] | ” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
8. What school or community volunteer activities have you participated in related to the community?
| “ | Team mom for basketball, baseball, football and volleyball for 5 years. Fundraising coordinator and communication liaison for volleyball. Dance prop assistant.[5] | ” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
9. How do you plan to work with constituents?
| “ | Encourage constituents to know they have an active part in the School District
regardless of current, former or no students at all. Their tax dollars benefit the district and allowing open meetings to share their interest will represent our good faith in being transparent.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
10. What do you see as opportunities and challenges to the district?
| “ | APS can be the flagship district in the state by utilizing and building on the
strengths and skills of its diverse population in the district. Challenges to the district is the budget, teacher retention and recruitment, excessive testing and test-base accountability measures.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
11. What do you think is the best way for the district to accomplish the three academic goals?
- a. Early learning - Early learning begins with expecting parents, is nurtured as children develop language and number skills in elementary school, and grows with students as they mature in supportive classrooms becoming adept at using these skills in a variety of contexts.
| “ | Provide parents with resources to become more involved in their children’s education. Encourage active participation. Example, eliminate or reduce the fee for background checks to make it easier for parents to get involved.[5] | ” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
- b. College and Career Readiness - Students acquire skills which support formal and informal life-long learning to adapt and remain productive through changing economic and job market landscapes. All students will be prepared for postsecondary opportunities (college and/or career) without the need for remediation.
| “ | Provide classes/programs so students may acquire skills to help them in their career choices. Career options - i.e. arts, technology, academic, business, skilled crafts. Involve alumni to return as speakers, collaborate with colleges, universities and businesses.[5] | ” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
- c. Developing the Whole Child - APS will ensure each child is safe, engaged, challenged and supported through programs and practices focused on removing social, emotional and physical barriers to learning and increased health literacy.
- Safe and welcoming environment
- Whole Child includes ... physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual
- Remove barriers to learning
- Discover and develop individual gifts and talents
- Use skills to better the community
| “ | Developing the Whole Child will be accomplished by ensuring that the child
has a good foundation as an Early Learner and builds on that foundation through elementary and secondary levels. By providing the district with resources to remove barriers to create a safe environment, removing barriers to learning helping them to explore and develop their talents to provide a better community.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
12. If elected, how will you work with the current board?
| “ | I will respect my colleagues and listen to their point of view. I will have open
dialogue with the members, collaborate with them to meet the mission and goals of Albuquerque Public Schools.[5] |
” |
| —Melissa Finch (2017)[6] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Bernalillo County Clerk, "APS/CNM School Board Election February 7, 2017 Unofficial Results," accessed February 7, 2017
- ↑ Bernalillo County, "2017 School Board Election Candidates," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ Albuquerque Journal, "APS board election attracts 24 candidates," December 20, 2016
- ↑ New Mexico Campaign Finance Information System, "Public Reports: Search Candidates," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 Albuquerque Public Schools, "2017 Questionnaire for Board of Education Candidates," accessed February 2, 2017
| Albuquerque Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| Bernalillo County, New Mexico | |
| Election date: | February 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District 3: • Incumbent, Lorenzo Garcia • Ali Ennenga • Amy Legant • Charles White District 5: • Annie Bell-Rahman • Rachel Gonzales • Kayla Marshall • Candelaria Patterson District 6: • Abbas Ali Akhil • Elizabeth Armijo • C. Douglas Brown • Melissa Finch • Paula Maes • Paul Sievert District 7: • Incumbent, David Peercy • Ian Burch • William Steinberg • Brian Tierney |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
