Donna Mae Westrich

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The School Board is a nonpartisan position.

The school should provide counseling services for the student and for any trusted guardians that the student wants in the conversation.

Agree

The student loan forgiveness program does not account for any spending a student made outside of an education program. I agree that access to government funding for public education through college is a good use of resources, but I do not agree with going back and paying off student debt that has already been accrued.

I believe in public universities that provide education services to all students who desire education through college. Everyone should have access to equitable education regardless of socio-economic status, from Pre-K through college.

I believe that separation of church and state means that all public schools need to be neutral when it comes to religion. Public schools should not endorse or promote any religion. Personally, I believe if you want to pray in school, that individuals have that right. Everyday, we say the Pledge of Allegiance and have a moment of silence. This is a nice time to pray. Also, schools should allow both religious and non-religious clubs. Public schools can teach about religion objectively, as well.

Disagree

The Florida Constitution, Article IX, Section 1, mandates that providing for the education of all children is a "paramount duty of the state". All children should have access to safe and equitable education. According to Florida Law, no agents of Immigration and Customs should be coming into schools to identify students, regardless of their immigration status, since it is mandated that education for all children should be provided.

Disagree

These type of resources can be provided by the community, but I do not think they should be directly affiliated with public schools.

Agree

Public schools need to create a discipline plan that works. The Duval Code of Conduct does not successfully address some of the discipline problems at out schools. Many of the behaviors that affect student learning are considered "Level 1". There needs to be progressive discipline for the Level 1 Offenses. Class disruptions, tardies, and unexcused absences need actual consequences for the behavior to be corrected. Parents need to support the school and the teacher when students misbehave.

Neutral

I agree that educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents in their Civics courses and American History courses. However, I believe that cultivating American patriotism should happen through a student's own conscious decision-making. Students can learn the facts of American History in school, and they can cultivate their own patriotic views based on their learning and personal discovery.

Disagree

I do not believe that the State of Florida is ready to have full control of education in our state. The State Audit shows that the state was unable to track and account for $270 million in tax-payer money through the voucher program. I think the State of Florida still needs the oversight of the US Department of Education until they can prove to the tax-payers that the money is accounted for.

Sexual education should include these topics: Human anatomy/the reproductive system Stages of pregnancy and fetal development Physical and emotional health outcomes Abstinence Consent Contraceptive methods

Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, American History, Civics, Vocational Learning, Information Technology, Art & Music, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, and Foreign Language.

Neutral

I believe that public schools should prioritize academic achievement. However, I believe that building character should come from the home and the community. Teachers should not be tasked with formulating character of their students. Teachers should be role models of good behavior and upstanding moral character, but their number one role in the classroom is to teach, not to build character.

Disagree

In a well-funded public school system, I would agree with this statement. However, in Florida, the school choice program is funded in such a way that is detrimental to public schools. The State of Florida needs to fund public schools separately from Charter Schools, Private Schools and Home School options. There should be enough money to fully fund public schools. In the current system, public schools lose money to the voucher program and cannot compete equally with other school choice options.

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This is not a school-board level question. This should be considered at the State or National Level.

I am a spiritual person with upstanding moral values. I believe that people should be kind to each other, to animals, and to our environment. I believe that people should follow the law because it's the right thing to do. I believe that people should act appropriately and be morally upstanding because it is the right thing to do. I believe that every human should have access to equal human rights as protected by the Constitution of the United States. In the classroom, I believe that every student belongs. I have taught for 20 years. No two students are the same. No set of parents is the same. We all have to work together for the betterment of our community. The best way forward is together. United we stand.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

Marriage can be a God-ordained, sacred and legal union if the couple decides that is what they want. However, legally speaking, marriage is a legally binding government institution. Both local and federal governments determine legal rights, tax status, medical decisions, and property laws in a marriage. So, while it can be a social or a religious union, it is primarily regulated by state and federal laws.

Neutral

I agree that mental health conditions need to be treated. The more mental health guidance that our students receive, the better off our kids will be. I want our students to feel supported and to be able to get help when they are faced with a mental health crisis. Students should not have to face mental health issues alone.

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I don't feel like I have enough information to answer this question adequately. What obscenity laws are being referenced and who are the "experts" that have determined the literary value of a book? I support libraries in schools, and I support students reading books. I encourage literacy. I would rather have a student reading a book than looking at their phone. I wish Fletcher High School and all Duval schools had libraries for kids to check out books, not just a media center for test taking.

Disagree

Florida voting laws require voters to present a current and valid picture ID with a signature.

No.

No.

Choose not to answer

The School Board is a nonpartisan position. I am running a nonpartisan campaign in a nonpartisan election. I have not accepted endorsements or money from any political organization. I promise to represent everyone in my district equally. I promise to work hard for every student in Duval County.

Nonpartisan election.

Moderate

My actions show that I am a fiscal conservative. I qualified by petition by doing the work. I did not collect money and pay to be on the ballot. I promised the constituents of District 2 that I would not waste their money. I would do the work. This is how I am in my life, as well. In regard to social matters, I would describe myself as a moderate because I am able to see all sides of a situation, listen to community input, and make well-informed decisions for the betterment of our community.

Disagree

Teachers each have a duty in a crisis. We have to take care of our students. If a teacher is armed and has to respond in an active shooter situation, it leaves a class of students without their teacher. Teachers need to focus on teaching.