NameJackie Mendez
What office are you running for?School Board
County, District/TownshipSpring Hill District in Campbell County
Address967 Two Bid Road
Evington, Virginia 24550
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Phone(434) 221-3119
EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Are you currently the officeholder and seeking re-election?no
Is this your first time running for office?Yes
Election Date11/07/2023
Websitejmendez.org
Social Media Handles

Facebook-Jackie Mendez
Instagram-jmendez4schoolboard

KEY ISSUES
1. Provide the top 2 reasons why you want to run for school board?

First, increase and provide full transparency to parents, community members, and teachers. Provide authentic communication between parents and administrators and restore trust in School Board meetings. Also, emphasize a curriculum focusing on reading, writing, math, and science.

2. Name the top 2 issues with your current school board or district and how you will address each issue.

Parents should be included in the decision-making process by SB members. There is never an interest in engaging the public or seeking community collaboration. In addition, the school has been using an SEL curriculum (Character Strong) emphasizing equity and gender. It violates Virginia law; however, these board members are not accountable to anyone thus far. In 2022 after a year of monthly reminders that this was divisive, the school board created a resolution to eliminate these teachings. The move was useless since it was not enacted as a policy. Currently, the resolution exists on paper only, with no knowledge of staff and administration to instruct and enforce. It was all window dressing for the public.

3. Do you support school choice? Why or why not?

I do support choice if the parents initiate it. Here in VA, we have a top-down model of choice that will only increase the government's involvement in homeschooling and private. The legislation is driven by interest groups who have not asked what the public wants or conveniently labeled "the money follows the child" line. The other consideration is ESSA is and remains the law which all school programs are measured against. If parents receive government money, the local or state government will enforce all instructions and mandates. We need less government intervention.

4. Who do you think is the ultimate authority in a child’s education and wellbeing?

The parent as it has always been and should remain.

5. Do you agree with the statement “America is inherently racist”? Why or why not?

No, we are a country that has provided opportunities for those who seek them. This bogus claim has confused many folks thinking that everyone is entitled. It's a constant discussion where you must highlight the many success stories available to share and emulate. America is about hope, initiative, and perseverance.

6. What are your thoughts on “Comprehensive Sex Education”, “Diversity Equity and Inclusion”, and “Social Emotional Learning”? Should these be a part of our public education curriculum or supplemental learning materials or left to parents to teach and why?

All of the above programs have only divided families from their children. I have been advocating at each school board meeting on the harmful effects of SEL. This form of character development has yet to improve student behavior or academic performance. DEI or CRT is detrimental to child development and is used to continuously identify victims and oppressors to have children divided in the classroom setting. Parents should be involved and vigilant in identifying materials inappropriate for their children. Teachers are there to teach content, not offer subjective views on sex, race, diversity, or other charged topics.

7. With declining academic achievement in reading, writing, math, and science in schools across the nation, how would you address these issues if elected?

I want to offer a curriculum evaluation measuring and judging the extent to which the planned courses, programs, learning activities, and opportunities expressed in the formal curriculum produce the expected results. If carried out effectively, this process can enable decisions to be made about improvements and future progress.

8. Safety is a major concern for most families, how would you support and encourage safety measures for girls in their private spaces, if elected?

This is a must; no boys are permitted to participate in girls' sports or use their locker room. Virginia Department of Education is providing useful guidelines for school boards to align with VA codes, but it fails to reinforce that sports are designated by sex and not gender preference. I will draw the RED LINE on this from day one. Campbell has not discussed this revision to date. If elected, this is one of my priorities as a new member.

9. Do you believe Title IX is in jeopardy in our public education system today?

Yes, we experienced the Leah Thomas fiasco at the college level that prevented young women from attaining NCAA titles. Allowing male-bodied athletes to participate in women’s competitions will destroy the integrity of women’s sports and leave women vulnerable.

10. Do you have any other endorsements? If so, please list them.

I am waiting for endorsements from a family physician, A Dean I have worked with in educational programs, and a retired teacher. I am not seeking endorsements from local politicians as some of my competitors have obtained.