This candidate has a clear vision for the Richland School Board. Here’s our pick
In the race between Richland School Board candidates Audra Byrd and Danica Garcia, one has a too-narrow focus on her priorities while the other has a view of the district from a broader vantage point.
Garcia is the candidate with the vision and clearer understanding of the legal parameters in which a school board functions. She is our choice in this race.
Garcia is a parent whose involvement in education and the community is diverse and extensive. She has been an English as a Second Language educator, a project manager, teacher trainer and a mediator with the Ben Franklin Dispute Resolution Center. She also has taught at Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College.
The fact that Garcia is bilingual is an added bonus.
What was clear during our candidate interview is that Garcia repeatedly mentioned wanting to support “all kids” and “all students” and “the community.”
She doesn’t appear to be running with an agenda other than doing her best for the school district. She said she wants to make sure her actions represent the whole community.
Byrd, however, represents a significant number of outraged parents and that fury is a driving force behind her campaign. She is a mother and foster mother and is heavily involved in Three Rivers Homelink, an alternative school in Richland that focuses on parent partnerships.
Her supporters are angry with the board’s decision last year to delay the opening of schools because of the COVID crisis. They want new leadership and Byrd is in the mix of candidates getting their fervent support.
Byrd wants people to have a choice of whether they should wear masks, and she is clear about her opposition to the state vaccine mandate for teachers and other state and health care workers.
Many Tri-Citians absolutely agree with that stance.
The dilemma for a school board member during COVID, however, is striking the balance between meeting state requirements and the needs of students, parents, teachers, exhausted health care workers, the elderly, the sick and vulnerable and everyone else in the community.
The Richland School Board made its decisions based on what was in the best interest of protecting the lives of its citizens – and yes, the educational sacrifice made by students because of that decision was horrible.
But COVID kills people, and the school board was right to focus on preventing its spread.
There are plenty of Richland citizens who think the board made the right call, which might explain why there is so much division between the two camps.
Aside from COVID, though, Garcia has a thorough understanding that the school board is a policy-making body and that there are things a school board member can and cannot do.
Byrd has more specific goals. She wants more attention paid to alternative schools she thinks have been “under supported,” like Three Rivers Homelink and Rivers Edge. Her list of priorities also includes prohibiting Critical Race Theory. On the state mandated sex education program, she wants to ensure families always have the opportunity to opt out.
Critical Race Theory is not being taught in the school district and all curriculum changes must have parent input. Sex education in Richland also has not changed, and parents can always take their children out of the program. These are non-issues.
What is most concerning is that Byrd believes there is “a lot of gray” about how to execute state COVID mandates. She said there are “lots of ways to do that without losing funding” and that the current school board takes it to the farthest extreme.
Garcia correctly noted that there “isn’t a lot of wiggle room” when it comes to the mask mandate in classrooms. State officials have said school funding can be pulled if a district does not comply.
Byrd obviously has a huge heart and a devotion to the well-being of children — especially those she believes are not getting the attention they should be getting. She is extremely well liked in the community, and we believe she would try her best to be a bridge between parents and the district.
But Garcia is also a caring person and mediator. Her wider vision, and her deep knowledge of the parameters in which a school board operates makes her our pick in this race.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Danica Garcia for Richland School Board, Director No. 1.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 11:03 AM.