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Ana Page, Orange Unified School District Trustee Area 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

October 4, 2024

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Ana Page

Current job title: Child Development and Family Engagement Specialist

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: No

City where you reside: Orange

Campaign website or social media: Page4ousd.com

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for heavier restrictions on smartphones in schools, pointing to studies that show the harmful effects of social media. How do you see schools restricting smartphone use? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Research shows that excessive smartphone use, particularly on social media, can negatively impact children’s mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and lower academic performance. In our one-to-one device district, students have access to district-provided devices for online learning, reducing the need for personal smartphones during class.

To address these concerns, schools can implement policies that limit smartphone use during instructional time, such as requiring phones to be kept in lockers or designated areas. This reduces distractions and fosters better focus and engagement in learning. By relying on district devices, students can still access essential digital resources without the risks associated with personal smartphones.

Schools can also create tech-free zones and allow limited phone use during non-instructional periods like lunch or recess. Partnering with parents and the community to explain the research behind these restrictions will help ensure their effectiveness, promoting a healthier and more focused learning environment for all students.

How can your district better harness artificial intelligence technology for learning while also protecting kids from another tool that can be used for bullying? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Our district can harness artificial intelligence technology to enhance learning by integrating AI-driven tools that offer personalized instruction, support diverse learning styles, and provide real-time feedback. For instance, AI can help identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement, allowing educators to tailor lessons to individual needs. Additionally, AI can assist in automating administrative tasks, giving teachers more time to focus on student engagement and instruction.

To protect students from the potential misuse of AI as a tool for bullying, the district must implement strong safeguards. This includes monitoring AI platforms for inappropriate behavior, ensuring strict data privacy protocols, and educating students on responsible digital citizenship. We can also establish clear guidelines for the ethical use of AI in the classroom, promoting its positive applications while minimizing risks.

By fostering collaboration among educators, students, and parents, we can leverage AI technology to enhance learning while maintaining a safe and supportive school environment. Regular reviews and updates to AI policies will ensure that we stay ahead of emerging challenges, prioritizing both educational advancement and student well-being.

What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

The top two priorities for our school district are improving facilities and ensuring fiscal responsibility, with a focus on keeping tax dollars in the classroom.

I have been leading efforts to upgrade our school facilities, prioritizing improvements based on need and maximizing the impact of available funds. This includes developing a comprehensive asset management plan to ensure that every dollar spent enhances our schools’ infrastructure.

Additionally, I have championed fiscal responsibility, carefully managing the district’s budget to direct more resources into the classroom. By finding efficiencies, securing matching government funds and grants, and making strategic investments, we’ve been able to prioritize student achievement.

I am committed to continuing these efforts, working with the community, educators, and financial experts to ensure that our resources are used wisely and that our students benefit from improved facilities and increased classroom support.

What experiences and priorities do you bring to the table for this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that make you the person for this job? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I bring extensive experience in education, fiscal management, and community advocacy to this role. As a trustee and school board president, I’ve led efforts to improve school facilities and ensure fiscal responsibility, focusing on keeping tax dollars in the classroom. My background as a classroom teacher, college professor, and non-profit director has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges educators face and the importance of maximizing educational resources.

Additionally, my work as a family engagement expert, raising parent leaders, has shown me the power of involving families in their children’s education. As a Ph.D. student in education, I am researching ways to bridge the gap to academic success, further informing my approach to addressing educational challenges.

In prior leadership roles, I’ve learned the value of transparency and partnership. My experience in developing asset management plans and securing grants has taught me how to leverage resources effectively. My priorities include enhancing our district’s facilities, expanding Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, and ensuring that every decision made is in the best interest of our students. I am committed to creating a thriving learning environment for all students.

California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Parents play a crucial role in education by supporting their child’s learning and development, advocating for their needs, and partnering with educators to ensure their child’s success. They provide essential insights into their child’s background, strengths, and challenges, which can help tailor educational approaches and support.

There are limitations to parental involvement, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like gender identity. While parents should be informed and involved in decisions that directly affect their child, it’s also important to respect students’ privacy and autonomy, particularly in situations where disclosure could lead to harm or distress.

The new law aims to balance these concerns by preventing districts from enforcing parental notification policies regarding changes in gender identity. This approach recognizes that students may need a safe space to explore their identity without immediate pressure to disclose to their parents, especially if the home environment might not be supportive. Big government policies should not be one-size-fits-all solutions; parents should have the autonomy to make decisions in the best interest of their children rather than having government mandates dictate how they should parent. The role of parents in education is vital, but it must be balanced with respect for students’ rights and well-being.

What role do you see your district playing in combating climate change? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Our district plays a critical role in combating climate change by integrating sustainability into our operations, curriculum, and community outreach. We lead by example with the largest electric bus fleet in the county, which significantly reduces our carbon footprint and demonstrates our commitment to clean energy.

In our facilities, we implement energy-efficient practices such as solar panels and green building standards. These initiatives not only lower our environmental impact but also serve as practical lessons for students on the importance of sustainability.

Our curriculum includes AP environmental science courses and lessons on climate change, sustainability, and environmental science, empowering students with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take action. Additionally, our nature center provides hands-on learning experiences that deepen students’ understanding of environmental stewardship.

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Ana Page, Orange Unified School District Trustee Area 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

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