Natalie Nicotine
Natalie Nicotine was a candidate for District 1 representative on the Rio Rancho Public Schools school board in New Mexico. Nicotine was defeated in the by-district general election on February 7, 2017.
Elections
2017
Three of the five seats on the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education were up for by-district general election on February 7, 2017. District 1 incumbent Don Schlichte did not file to run for re-election, guaranteeing a new member was elected to the board. The race to fill the open seat featured candidates Wynne Coleman, Margretta Franklin, and Natalie Nicotine, and Coleman won the election. In her bid for re-election to District 3, incumbent Martha Janssen defeated challenger William Dunn. District 5 incumbent Catherine Cullen ran unopposed and won another term. Catherine Jabar initially filed to challenge her, but she withdrew from the race.[1][2][3]
Results
| Rio Rancho Public Schools, District 1 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Wynne Coleman |
46.41% | 265 |
| Natalie Nicotine | 41.33% | 236 |
| Margretta Franklin | 12.26% | 70 |
| Total Votes | 571 | |
| Source: Sandoval County Bureau of Elections, "Election Held in Sandoval County for Rio Rancho Public School District No. 94 on February 7, 2017," accessed February 22, 2017 | ||
Funding
Nicotine reported no contributions or expenditures to the New Mexico Secretary of State in the election.[4]
Campaign themes
2017
Nicotine participated in the following questionnaire provided by the Albuquerque Journal. The Albuquerque Journal's questions appear in bolded text, and Nicotine's responses appear below.
Please explain what factors compelled you to run for a seat on the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education.
| “ | The main factor that compelled me to run for RRPS board of education is my commitment to my community. I also have three children in the district and I want to support students, teachers and the community with my experience, education, and knowledge. I value children, education, and our community and my motivation stems from my own educational journey. I believe our children should have the best advantages and successes in RRPS.[5] | ” |
| —Natalie Nicotine (2017)[6] | ||
Please describe your understanding of the current challenges faced by RRPS regarding student use of illicit drugs, and outline the policy formulations you would advocate to address this concern.
| “ | With the high rate of illicit drug use and its deadly consequences, I understand the concern of RRPS parents, employees and the community. I am very supportive of policies that are evidence-based, preventative, ethical and cost-effective. I believe it is our responsibility to do what is necessary to keep our kids safe, healthy, and well.[5] | ” |
| —Natalie Nicotine (2017)[6] | ||
What are the top three priorities for your four-year term, and how you will accomplish them?
| “ | If I am elected, I will protect funding so RRPS students and employees are adequately supported, recruit and retain quality and licensed teachers and staff, and develop an inclusive, collaborative relationship with stakeholders who are invested in preparing RRPS students for the future.[5] | ” |
| —Natalie Nicotine (2017)[6] | ||
How would you work to improve parental and public involvement in the education process?
| “ | Community involvement is very important to the success of RRPS. The community’s voice needs to be heard and valued and I am committed to ensuring this is achieved in RRPS. I will make active efforts to provide guidance and accountability in an educated, informed, and sensitive manner to my constituents.[5] | ” |
| —Natalie Nicotine (2017)[6] | ||
What criteria would you use to determine if a school district has been successful in the education process? Please compare/contrast with NMED’s reform and accountability efforts.
| “ | For a school district to be successful, there are many factors that can be taken into account. Testing scores alone to do not highlight the outcomes and success of our educational system. An important factor would be to identify if our educational process is designed to be challenging, supportive, and instills a love for learning for our students, employees, and parents. Other factors include: teacher and parent satisfaction, college readiness, adequate funding, access to preventative community resources and other additional innovative and inclusive services and programs.[5] | ” |
| —Natalie Nicotine (2017)[6] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ rrobserver.com, "The candidates for Rio Rancho and Bernalillo school board are in," December 21, 2016
- ↑ rrobserver.com, "District 5 candidate Jabar drops from RRPS board race," January 11, 2017
- ↑ Rio Rancho Public Schools, "Voters Elect Board Members in Districts 1, 3, and 5," February 7, 2017
- ↑ New Mexico Campaign Finance Information System, "Public Reports: Search Candidates," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Albuquerque Journal, "Meet the RRPS Board candidates for Districts 1 and 3," January 28, 2017
| Rio Rancho Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| Sandoval County, New Mexico | |
| Election date: | February 7 |
| Candidates: | District 1: • Wynne Coleman • Margretta Franklin • Natalie Nicotine District 3: • Incumbent, Martha Janssen • William Dunn District 5: • Incumbent, Catherine Cullen |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
