Richland School District 400 Director No. 1

Audra Byrd

(509) 433-7855 Audra_byrd@yahoo.com PO BOX 4246 WEST RICHLAND, WA 99353

(509) 593-8601 electdanicagarcia@gmail.com PO BOX 171 RICHLAND, WA 99352

Elected Experience: No Information Submitted Other Professional Experience: Former certified k-12 teacher in RSD; Licensed and active foster parent since 2015; Group Fitness Instructor for 19+ years; Water aerobics supervisor at Columbia Basin Racquet Club Education: Hanford Highschool Graduate; AA-Columbia Basin College Running Start; BA graduate in K-12 Education- Eastern Washington University; Post graduate education - WSU Tri-Cities Community Service: Classroom volunteer at Three Rivers Homelink and Wiley Elementary; Parent Volunteer for Project Based Learning instructional training; Youth basketball, softball, and soccer coach; Youth Sunday school teacher; Active member of the local Relief Society (largest women’sservice organization in the world); Cub Scout leader

Statement:

As a mother of 6+, I am invested and eager to enable the lifetime success of our students by providing leadership to the school district and a vision for valuable education. It is not enough to just get students back in the classroom without limitations, but to make the educational experience in Richland schools better than it has ever been with engaging, relevant, and diverse learning opportunities. After an unprecedented year of chaos, I will help our students and staff heal from the physical, mental, and educational trials of Covid. I will also work to establish an environment where students get the services, care, and support they need to thrive by Advocating for families to have their educational preferences heard and honored; Building parent/teacher/student relationships by effectively working with the superintendent and her staff; Advocating for SpEd, English Language Learning, and mental health resources; Supporting all learning environments including Homelink, Delta, Quest, Richland Virtual School, Rivers Edge, Worksource, Behavioral (BESST) program, Early Learning Preschool, Art, Music, PE, and more. Vote for Audra Byrd to give families voice and choice! 509-433-7855 Audra_byrd@yahoo.com Facebook: Audra Byrd 4 Richland School Board

Richland School District 400 | Director No. 1 4-year term Danica Garcia

Elected Experience: PTO Vice-President, Columbia River Pony Club Joint-District Commissioner.

Other Professional Experience: Teacher, curriculum developer, a mother of two children in Richland School District. Taught at WSU Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College, Richland and Pasco substitute teacher, State English as a Second Language committee representative . Education: Graduate, Kamiakin High School; Graduate, Western Washington University, Advanced Spanish Language and Culture Studies, University of Alicante, Spain; M.A. in Applied Linguistics/ESL Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Community Service: Destination Imagination coach, District Committee parent representative, Orchard Elementary Instructional Leadership team, Christ the King Sunday school assistant, CBC and Westside Preschools parent helper, Soroptimist Three Rivers International member.

Statement:

This past year has been tough. Despite the best efforts of our district to reinvent schooling, many students and families are struggling. Moving forward, we need policies and programs that support all students' academic achievement and social-emotional wellbeing. Strategies like creating after-school academic intervention programs and better supporting English Language learners are crucial. Equally critical is increasing social and emotional aid for students by increasing in-building counseling, extending anti-bullying outreach, providing school-level support for families in need, and expanding partnerships with community agencies. Evolving as a district requires greater innovation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. We must communicate openly, genuinely listen to our stakeholders (families, staff, and community members) and ensure all voices are represented. Schools need to be fully funded and taxpayer dollars carefully utilized to provide needed student learning opportunities. Richland has needs yet to be addressed so we must manage tax-payer dollars to maximize benefit for all students. Doing what’s always been done won’t work; We must evolve and collaborate for students to recover and thrive. Our kids’ future depends on it. I pledge to work tirelessly for all our students. Vote Danica Garcia for RSD Director, Pos. 1 for a brighter future for all our kids. electdanicagarcia@gmail.com

Heather Cleary

(509) 430-7400 cleary.home@charter.net 1126 STALLION PL RICHLAND, WA 99352

Elected Experience: I have proudly served as a board member of the Richland School Board for the past 16 years (2005-present) Other Professional Experience: My career was in the television broadcasting field (1978-1991) Education: Graduated from Montana State University B.S. Film and Television Community Service: Once our family moved to Richland 30 years ago, I began volunteering in RSD classrooms and with an educational program called Destination Imagination that teaches creative problem solving to students. I never envisioned running for elected office. My interest grew from helping in classrooms and district committees and became a labor of love.

Statement:

RSD has faced unprecedented challenges since March 2020 once the Covid-19 pandemic began. Through it all, RSD has remained focused on student needs, while complying with requirements imposed by the state, governor and BFHD. RSD created Pacific Crest Online Academy within weeks, and expanded the Homelink Program to meet student demand. RSD was among the first school districts in Washington state to fully re-open schools Monday-Friday this spring, and offered vaccination clinics. Exciting summer school offerings are being provided to all student to help them regain skills. I remain optimistic that our schools will begin normal operations in August 2021. Throughout the pandemic our board has patiently listened to the public. Historically our board has given constituents the opportunity to voice opinions. We practice thoughtful governance and it's how we would like to be treated ourselves. I have long felt that our community is only as good as the quality of schools we provide, and I feel the same today as when I began my school board tenure. We must remain optimistic that life will soon return to normal and we will once again provide a rich educational experience that our community expects from the Richland School District.

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