Welcome to the Rialto Unified School Board Q&A interviews. We asked all of the candidates the same questions and emailed them out Mrs. Houston was the first one to respond so she will be the first one you see. Our questions are highlighted Lillie Houston’s answers are not.
Where did you grow up?
Seattle, Washington
What High School did you graduate from?
Garfield High School
Did you attend College? If so where did you attend and what was your major?
I attended Los Angeles City College, LACC, I was studying to become an architect. At my age at that time I was required to take courses such as English, Math, Reading, Gym, Archery, etc.
How has your education prepared you for the Rialto Unified School Board?
I attended a trade school where I learn to operate the keypunch and reading machines. Mount San Antonio College, MTSAC, Walnut, CA. Associate in Science Degree in Industrial Supervision. University of Redlands; Redlands, CA Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management.
What is your current career field? How did you find yourself picking that career?
My interest was to effectively manage industrial resources which include Money, People and Things.
How has your work life prepared you for the Rialto Unified School Board?
For more than 25 years, I was a small business owner, where I had to generate my own business, manage my own contracts, stay within budget, deal with negative and positive customers to keep a harmonious relationships between the customers, staff and vendors.
What do you see as the top three issues at Rialto Unified School District?
• Lack of Financial Transparency, I will request the new Superintendent to post financial information on-line, in a downloadable format, for free public access, which includes funding awarded through Measure Y Bond.
• Lack of Ability to Improve Special Education Services, test scores and graduation rates
• Inability to develop relationship with the business community to expand job and technical training programs which provide students with good job opportunities
What are your thoughts on Common Core?
Parents and Students have many questions as it relates to will Common Core be a step forward. Teachers are supporting it, though I am not a Teachers Union Candidate, I am running to Put Students First and hold all District Administrators and Teachers accountable for meeting our mission statement. I believe Test are important for evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum being taught and how the instruction is being given and a good way for students to measure how they are learning. With the new funding program, programs like ROP are now in jeopardy of being lost.
What are your thoughts on eliminating categorical funding and putting these programs in jeopardy?
California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) the new form of spending government dollars within School District already eliminated most categorical programs and places decision making for spending at the local Board level. ROP in my opinion is a great instrument for serving our students and shall be protected. The city of Rialto is moving forward with their rails to trails program.
Some at city hall are pushing the school district to create additional access points at schools like Rialto Middle and Werner Elementary so students can access the school from the trail. What are your thoughts on this as it creates another access point for people that don’t belong on campus?
• I believe the presentations made regarding the rails to trails program have left many unanswered questions as it relates to safety of children, how premises will be secured to protect from potential sex offenders and other criminal elements from entering campuses, I would be unable to support any project that does not have written policies and procedures in place to safeguard our students, staff and have more questions as it relates to this program I am awaiting a response.
Would you support working with people in the community to help Offer College and employment support to our young people as they enter the 21st century job market?
Yes, I owned and operated my own Small Business for 25 years and understand job creation, and developing entrepreneurs and would partner with the local business community and San Bernardino Community College District and/or interested partners of the School District, to provide our students with the technical training needed to be contributors to the economy.
One big problem with our school board now is the pattern of abstaining from voting on issues leaving issues unresolved, what are your thoughts on this practice?
Many agenda items are rushed before the School Board to vote yay or nae, while at the same time Board Members have failed to study what comes before them, until an hour before the meeting starts and doing meetings show disrespect for those speaking doing public comment by texting on there cellphones. I believe Public Comment should be moved to the start of the meeting. If and when elected, I will suggest to our Superintendents Office the Board of Education be provided with answers to priority questions pertaining to any agenda item so that we can move forward with new business, instead of dragging items unto future agendas, as long as I have all the information I need to make the best decisions that Put Students First, I will vote yes or no, an abstain vote from me will only be provided if there is a conflict of interest with an item.
Please list any websites or social media links and/or contact information so the voters can contact your campaign.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lillie-Houston-4-Rialto-School-Board/345005485652229
Home: (909) 874-1410
houstoninsur@aol.com
rialtonow 