Retired educator says she has experience, background to make decisions that are best for students
Published in the April 27 – May 10, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
MHUSD school board candidate Pamela Torrisi
Pamela Torrisi is a retired para-educator who worked for the Morgan Hill Unified School District for more than three decades. She is now running in the June 7 special election for the school board to fill the seat of Trustee Amy Porter Jensen who left the position in October.
Morgan Hill Life asked Torrisi why she is running and about various issues important to the school district.
Why are you running for the school board to fill Amy Porter Jensen’s seat?
I am running for Amy Porter Jensen’s seat because I care about MHUSD and the children who go to school here. I have been attending the board meetings for many years as a union member and after my retirement. I believe it is important to be involved in the educational processes of the district. I personally feel I can make a difference and believe I can make decisions that are the best possible option for our students.
What’s your background in education?
I worked for MHUSD for 34 years as a paraeducator. I started out in the Math Lab at Britton Middle School. My position there later changed to Computer Lab/Math Lab. In these capacities I worked with a variety of students in grades 7-9. I later switched to Special Education and worked with students from first grade all the way through high school. I worked in Special Day Classes and followed students who were in immersion programs at Live Oak High School.
Candidate Pamela Torrisi at April 19, 2016 MHUSD school board meeting.
Photo by Marty Cheek
I attend most school board meetings. I believe it is important to be involved in the educational process. I no longer have children in school here or work here, but this is my home and I still feel committed to this district.
What are your thoughts on the atmosphere of “discord” now pervading the school board and what might you do to change that?
I think the discord is interfering with the job our board was elected to do. There is too much polarization and the real goal, “the children,” has been lost. I am a calm, reasonable person who listens to both sides of an argument and then makes a decision after listening to everyone. I try to always be fair and to make decisions based on the good of all, not the good of the few. I was a negotiator for many years and I learned a lot during that time.
I believe I can be a bridge and we can get the things done that need to be happening to make us the best district possible. We have so many good things going on in the district and we need to get the focus back on the positive things and what we can do to help all our students to reach their full potential.
What are your thoughts on the sixth-grade reconfiguration to middle schools?
There are many local districts that do this. The children are successful academically and socially. I do not believe this will be harmful to our students. We already have a K-8 school and will be adding others. Because of this I don’t have a problem with this going forward as planned.
What is your opinion of MHUSD Superintendent Steve Betando?
Superintendent Betando has been making some innovative changes. He studies data and programs and brings these new programs and ideas to the board. The programs he has put forward have been to make our district the best it can be. He listens and evaluates options. Often times change is difficult, but he has the best interests of our students at heart.
What are you thoughts on charter schools — particularly Voices — and their role in the MHUSD?
MHUSD has many programs to meet the needs and interests of our diverse population — for example JAMM and San Martin Dual Immersion. We also have two existing charter schools with Charter School of Morgan Hill and Silicon Valley Flex Academy. I think Voices will be an additional asset to meet the needs and interests of our community. The important thing for me about charter schools is that they don’t negatively impact our existing schools, they are solvent and they follow educational code. The charters need to keep the playing field level and allow access to all students.
What are your opinions on Common Core and its role in the MHUSD?
It is the law. Saying that, it is important teachers and para-educators continue to receive staff development, so they are prepared to teach the curriculum.
