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Paula Hall

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Paula Hall
Image of Paula Hall
Prior offices
Sweetwater Union High School District school board Trustee Area 5
Successor: Marti Emerald

Personal
Profession
Budget analyst
Contact

Paula Hall was a member of the Sweetwater Union High Board of Education in California, representing Area 5. Hall assumed office in 2014. Hall left office on December 9, 2022.

Hall won re-election to the Sweetwater Union High Board of Education to represent Area 5 in California outright after the general election on November 6, 2018, was canceled.

Biography

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Hall's professional experience includes working as an education budget analyst. She has been a school site council member at Central Elementary, Mar Vista Middle and Mar Vista High School, and a District Parent Advisory Council member at Mar Vista Middle and Mar Vista High School.[1]

Elections

2018

See also: Sweetwater Union High School District elections (2018)

The following candidate won election automatically as the election was canceled due to lack of opposition.[2]

General election

The general election was canceled. Paula Hall (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

2014

See also: Sweetwater Union High School District elections (2014)

The election in Sweetwater featured five seats up for general election on November 4, 2014. There was no primary election.

The only sitting incumbent at the time of the election, former board president John McCann, did not file to run for re-election, but former members Bertha J. Lopez and Jim Cartmill, both of whom pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of accepting gifts above the state limit while serving on the school board, ran to reclaim their seats. A total of 21 candidates ran for the five open seats.

In Trustee Area 1, Arturo Solis won the election. Kevin J. Pike defeated former member Lopez as well as three other challengers to win election to Trustee Area 2. Cartmill was also defeated. His former seat representing Trustee Area 3 was won by Frank A. Tarantino. Newcomers Nicholas Segura and Paula Hall won election to the Trustee Area 4 and 5 seats, respectively.

Results

Sweetwater Union High School District,
Trustee Area 5 General Election, 4-year term, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Nonpartisan Green check mark transparent.pngPaula Hall 41.2% 4,624
     Nonpartisan William "Bud" McLeroy 24.7% 2,771
     Nonpartisan Marcelino J. Martinez 20.3% 2,274
     Nonpartisan Thomas "Tom" Schaaf 13.9% 1,557
Total Votes 11,226
Source: San Diego County Registrar of Voters, "Gubernatorial General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014," accessed January 2, 2015

Funding

Hall reported $2,482.12 in contributions and $1,994.18 in expenditures to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, leaving her with a cash balance of $487.94 as of September 30, 2014.[3]

Endorsements

Hall was endorsed by Sweetwater Education Association, California School Employees Association 471, San Diego & Imperial County Labor Council, and the Democratic Party of San Diego County.[4][5]

Campaign themes

2014

Hall highlighted the following issues on her campaign website:

Emphasis on Ethics

Putting the emphasis to ethics, leading by example, building trust among educators, parents, students and community will restore Sweetwater and ensure the focus goes back onto teaching and learning.

Excellence in every classroom

With appropriate management of district resources, there can be a quality school in every neighborhood, with equity for every student

With students, parents leadership and staff committed to excellence and each room equipped to deliver the highest quality instruction, we will see postive outcomes. This will put the focus back on our students, engaging all in meaningful and viable learning experiences to empower and equip them for success.

Selection of new superintendent

The search for a new superintendent is key to the vision and future of our district. Search must include the input of all stakeholders: teachers, classified staff, parents, students and the community. Direct dollars to the classroom

The board must be held accountable. The board is responsible to ensure funds are accounted for, financial plans are sound and transparent, and reports are accessible. This clarity will provide the information needed to build public confidence in board decisions.

College Prep and Career Tech

Build meaningful connection from classroom to career in more than one way. Focus building true Gifted & Talented Education and also the Technical Education program by partnering with industries that will provide the expertise and internship opportunities for students. Selling off District Property

The current District leadership and previous Board were pushing to sell off several properties owned by the District at a huge financial loss, These District assets were PURCHASED BY TAXPAYERS for PUBLIC EDUCATION. Those who are pushing to sell may have personal or political interest in doing so, and that should raise a red flag for those of us who want the best for our children's education.[6]

—Paula Hall's campaign website (2014)[7]


In response to a survey published by La Prensa San Diego, Hall answered several questions outlining her campaign themes and vision.

What do you believe is the number one issue with the district?

Ethics. What I’m talking about is not just about the tragedy of the corruption that has plagued our District for at least a decade. I’m talking about ethical treatment of students and staff.

All students should have access and be treated fairly. Not all students learn the same or come from the same type of home structure. We need to serve each one appropriately for the long term and not just for a moment in time.

What qualities are will you looking for in hiring a superintendent?

Ethical and honest, culturally aware, strong commitment to working collaboratively, effective communicator, and the ability to identify issues and solutions. These are some of the qualities.

Board accountability has been lacking, how will you hold the board accountable?

Making sure I understand what the issues are and what is going on in the schools. Making sure decisions are informed and not just a rubber stamp of approval. By being out visiting schools, talking with parents, staff, and by including stakeholders in the discussion well before a proposal is on an approval agenda.

What do you believe is your role in interacting with teachers?

Teachers are doing the business of teaching. They must have a voice and the board needs to give them the opportunity to be heard. They should be valued and respected.

What are your financial priorities?

Getting clear records with detailed information is the first step. Making sure that resources are allocated equitably across all the schools. I understand that the interim board and superintendent are bringing in the FCMAT team from the State. That team will dig into the financials of the district so that all resources are accounted for, and from that we can institute sound practices and sustainable budget to focus on teaching and learning.[6]

La Prensa San Diego survey (2014)[8]

See also

External links

Footnotes