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Raymond CruzAge: 52Occupation: Operates his own consulting firmNumber of years in Simi: 20 Qualifications: Thirty-plus years of business management experience including work in financial services, banking, aerospace, education and nonprofit management. His business provides business solutions to nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Also a former educator who taught in the inner city in New York and currently teaches Bible classes. What made you decide to run for school board? "I wanted to support the outstanding education system in Simi and make it better for the students. As a former teacher, I know the pain of not having the proper tools in the classroom, not getting paid what we deserve and the pain of the classified workers not always getting what they deserve." What are your goals/objectives if elected? "I want to help classified personnel and teachers reach the highest earning potential. I want to have better tools in the classroom, especially the elementary schools. I want to get their playgrounds and gyms updated. I want to help the immigrant students to stay in school and get a better education. I want to help in the areas of human relations, such as reducing gangs and negative impacts such as gangs." In your opinion, what is the most significant issue facing California's public education system today? "The idea of the unity of family, the sanctity of the family and having a mom and dad. We are seeing curriculum that does not support that. We should teach creationism and give that an equal balance with evolution. Right now we are shoving evolution down students' throats. We have to make the students more aware of saying no to drugs and reduce crimes in schools."
Raymond CruzAge: 52Occupation: Operates his own consulting firmNumber of years in Simi: 20 Qualifications: Thirty-plus years of business management experience including work in financial services, banking, aerospace, education and nonprofit management. His business provides business solutions to nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Also a former educator who taught in the inner city in New York and currently teaches Bible classes. What made you decide to run for school board? "I wanted to support the outstanding education system in Simi and make it better for the students. As a former teacher, I know the pain of not having the proper tools in the classroom, not getting paid what we deserve and the pain of the classified workers not always getting what they deserve." What are your goals/objectives if elected? "I want to help classified personnel and teachers reach the highest earning potential. I want to have better tools in the classroom, especially the elementary schools. I want to get their playgrounds and gyms updated. I want to help the immigrant students to stay in school and get a better education. I want to help in the areas of human relations, such as reducing gangs and negative impacts such as gangs." In your opinion, what is the most significant issue facing California's public education system today? "The idea of the unity of family, the sanctity of the family and having a mom and dad. We are seeing curriculum that does not support that. We should teach creationism and give that an equal balance with evolution. Right now we are shoving evolution down students' throats. We have to make the students more aware of saying no to drugs and reduce crimes in schools."
