Paul Sievert

Paul Sievert

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Paul Sievert was a candidate for District 6 representative on the Albuquerque Public Schools school board in New Mexico. Sievert was defeated in the by-district general election on February 7, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: Albuquerque Public Schools 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. 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.

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

See also: Campaign finance in the Albuquerque Public Schools election

Sievert reported no contributions or expenditures to the New Mexico Secretary of State in the election.

Campaign themes

2017

Sievert participated in a questionnaire provided by the Albuquerque school district. The district's questions are shown in bolded text, and Sievert's answers follow below.

1. Why do you want to be a board member for Albuquerque Public Schools?

“	The New Mexico evaluation system, though flawed, shows that we are not providing the quality of education our students deserve. We must and can do better. All things that Albuquerque Public School employees do must be directed at improving student performance. All policies, all funding, all efforts need to be focused on student improvement. As a board member, I will work diligently with other board members to allocate funding, set policy and work with the Superintendent to concentrate all efforts on student performance.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

2. What is your interest in education?

“	Education is a driving force in our community. Our children’s success, our economy and our public safety are all a reflection of our school system. Our city and our state must first and foremost improve the performance of our education system. Improving education, will have a huge impact on all measures of our community. As a grandparent, educator, and classroom volunteer, I am passionate about education and I care about our state, our kids and our schools.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

3. In what ways will you support the mission and vision of the district?

“	The vision and mission of Albuquerque Public schools can and should be reduced to one word. EDUCATION. It is time to reassess and redefine the priorities and direction of APS. The mission and vision would then become obvious. I will work tirelessly with board members, educators and our community to support the mission of providing every child a quality education.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

4. How will you work with the superintendent?

“	One of the main functions of the school board is to advise, direct and coach the superintendent. As a new member of the board, I will research alternative approaches, programs and solutions. I will explore and convey issues, concerns and suggestions from my constituents and make recommendations. I will collaborate and build consensus with other board members and our superintendent.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

5. What is your past and current involvement with Albuquerque Public Schools?

“	I worked as a career and technical education instructor for 13 years and retired in 2014. My teaching experience includes mentoring and educating our youth in traditional classroom, charter school and alternative delivery settings. Missing the interaction with students, I returned to APS and currently serve as a part-time substitute teacher and classroom volunteer. I have many friends and colleagues who are teachers, counselors and administrators in APS. I consider them all vital resources to the wellness of Albuquerque Public Schools.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

6. What should be the relationship between the superintendent and Board of Education?

“	The superintendent needs to work with the APS board and the NM Board of Education to resolve all adversarial positions. Conflict among the management teams, educational institutions and boards is very detrimental to the education system. It is important for all board members and the superintendent to establish strong relationships with our local and state officials. Collaboration and common ground must be found between all entities to maintain a cohesive and seamless flow for all school districts across our state.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

7. What qualities and skills would you bring to the Board of Education?

“	As a retired businessman and retired APS teacher, I understand the business side and the delivery side of education. This unique blending of skills gives me a strong outlook on what is needed to successfully deliver education to our students. I am also a thirdgeneration New Mexican, APS and UNM graduate which gives me a distinct and wellrounded perspective to the unique issues facing our schools and community.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

8. What school or community volunteer activities have you participated in related to the community?

“	I served as the chapter adviser to SkillsUSA and supported our school’s DECA program for many years and strongly advocate for these types of extracurricular activities in our schools. I currently serve as a volunteer parent at Highland High School and school volunteer at my grandchildren’s elementary school. I am also a past and present supporter of the NM Appleseed Foundation and the Albuquerque Mayoral Benefit Gala.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

9. How do you plan to work with constituents?

“	All APS business allowable by law should be conducted in an open meeting. Transparency will give the media and constituency the ability to see how their representatives are performing and be aware of their positions on issues. I will keep regular, open office hours for phone calls and email responses to all constituents of APS.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

10. What do you see as opportunities and challenges to the district?

“	The largest challenges for APS are student performance, limited funds and teacher retention. Putting our focus on improving these three issues will create the greatest returns for our school system. Virtually all facets of Albuquerque Public Schools will need to be examined, modernized and changed, as required, to improve our educational system. Every available remedy must be explored.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

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.

“	APS needs to concentrate on providing the opportunity for all children to learn. There are many social issues affecting education. APS does not have the funding and should not have the mission to address them all. Community schools in collaboration with other shared funding entities are being implemented and provide parents and students with additional tools and programs to address some of the social issues.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

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.

“	The education that students and parents want and need must be provided. We must also address the education requirements of the State. Implementing a focused plan to retain and attract experienced, qualified teachers, in all fields, would greatly benefit and help prepare our students for college and career readiness.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

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

“	All students should be safe, engaged, challenged and supported these issues are always a major concern of teachers and all APS employees. The roles of teachers and counselors is to interact daily with students, other APS employees must direct their support to the mission of teachers and counselors.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

12. If elected, how will you work with the current board?

“	The existing board members are familiar with difficulties facing APS management and their experience is vital to building and solving APS issues. As one vote on a Board of seven members, I am committed to collaborating and working together as a team member to build an improved school system for our students and community.	”
—Paul Sievert (2017)

See also

• Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico
• Albuquerque Public Schools elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• Albuquerque Public Schools
• Campaign website