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Keri Gorsage, Ocean View School District 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: Keri Gorsage

Current job title: Teacher

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: N/A

City where you reside: Huntington Beach

Campaign website or social media: www.kerig4ovsd.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.)

As a candidate for the Ocean View School District School Board, I support this measure and trust our teachers and staff to implement effective strategies that will best serve the interests and needs of our students. Many of our Ocean View schools already have a “bell-to-bell no cell” phone policy and students are well aware of it. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all restrictive policy. Students know to speak with their teachers if an emergency arises.

Our Ocean View staff are responsive to legitimate parental concerns. For example, after a lockdown or other emergency, our Ocean View staff knows that parents may be eager to ensure their child’s safety. Students with special needs may also use their cell phones as part of their educational plan to support their academic success. Unfortunately, at the middle schools, we have seen fights organized using cell phones and/or used for bullying. With technological advancement, we must adjust instruction to meet the needs of our students. Implementing programs that serve to educate our students to develop their digital literacy while helping them understand responsible social media use, and the potential benefits of smartphones as a learning tool would be my primary focus.

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.)

I believe that harnessing artificial intelligence in education requires a balanced approach that maximizes its benefits while safeguarding students. AI can personalize learning, offering tailored resources and support to meet individual student needs. For instance, adaptive learning platforms can help identify areas where a student may need additional practice or challenge, making education more efficient and effective. However, AI can also be misused, particularly in ways that might contribute to cyberbullying or invasion of privacy.

To protect our students, it’s our collective responsibility as a board to establish clear policies that regulate the use of AI tools, ensuring they are used responsibly and ethically. This includes monitoring and controlling access to AI-driven applications, educating students about the potential risks, and implementing robust digital citizenship programs that emphasize respect, empathy, and online safety. By providing the appropriate professional development and allocating time to apply and practice what teachers have learned, the use of AI has the potential to enhance learning while also creating a safe, supportive environment where all students can thrive.

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.)

Competitive compensation for all staff and increased per-pupil funding are our district’s top two needs.

Statewide, public school districts need to be able to rely on stable funding sources. Year after year, our schools shouldn’t have to fight the state for increases in per-pupil funding. The funding formula used in California to calculate the amount each district receives factors in the district’s student enrollment and its average daily attendance rates. Living and working in Huntington Beach for the last 26 years, I know that housing costs are high and young families are oftentimes priced out of our community. Consequently, student enrollment has and continues to experience a steady decrease. In fact, due to declining student enrollment, the Ocean View School District School Board, last year, made the tough, yet financially prudent decision, to close one of its four middle schools. If elected, you can count on me to work collaboratively with my colleagues on the OVSD Board.

The establishment of the 7-11 committee to review the district’s properties is a necessary and legal first step. Additionally, there is a need to provide multiple forums for stakeholder input, so that together we can find and implement prudent financial remedies to keep our small neighborhood schools open while offering competitive compensation packages to attract and retain the highest quality staff for our students.

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 have 28 years of first- through eighth-grade teaching experience, and my husband and I have two wonderful children who attended our Ocean View schools. As a mother, I have always been actively involved in my children’s education and extracurricular activities. These experiences, along with teaching various grades, have provided me with a deep understanding of the needs of elementary and middle school students, enabling me to make decisions regarding resources our students need to thrive.

I also had the honor to be elected and serve as PTA president at Marine View Middle School, where I collaborated closely with diverse groups of faculty and administration to provide our students with supplementary resources. Additionally, my leadership experiences with the Ocean View Little League, Huntington Beach High School’s APA Musical Theater Guild, Ballet Repertory Theatre Association, and HBHS Dance Team boosters have each served to strengthen my ability to advocate for and support our students.

I know firsthand the importance of being an active participant in the educational journey of our children. While I recognize there’s always more to learn, I am proud to take on a new role and am committed to serve and contribute to our students’ success.

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.)

I believe that a strong parent voice and a genuine partnership between the district’s administrative team, staff, and parents are essential to ensuring a high-quality education for every student. As a teacher, I know parents play a critical role in their children’s education, providing guidance, support, and values that shape their development. The partnership between administration, teachers, and parents is non-negotiable, regardless of changing laws or political climates. By fostering open communication and mutual trust, we can create an educational environment that honors both the rights of parents and the individuality of each student.

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

Schools have an obligation to provide all students with the necessary academic foundation and personal skills to think critically. Climate change is yet another essential topic that is included in our student’s education. My goal is to inspire our students to become knowledgeable leaders, extraordinary lifelong learners, and ardent advocates for themselves and their communities. We have one world and learning to protect it is a basic must. Leading by example, our district continues to include a curriculum for our students to understand what we are currently doing to combat climate change while acknowledging that there is much more work to be done.

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Keri Gorsage, Ocean View School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

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