To inform readers about the candidates seeking their votes on the November ballot, the San Antonio Report asked all candidates to answer the following questions. We edited answers for clarity, not substance or grammar, and we did not fact-check responses. We restricted responses to 200 words for each question.
Read other candidates’ answers here.
Position sought:
South San Antonio ISD, District 1
Incumbent?
Yes.
Link to campaign website:
facebook.com/veronica.barba4southsandist1
twitter.com/veronica_dist1
Age:
56
What is your educational background? Where did you go to school growing up and what is the highest level of education you completed?
Medina Valley ISD (1st grade – 9th grade)
Castroville, TX
John F. Kennedy (9th grade – Graduated in 1983)
San Antonio, TX
If you have completed higher education, what degrees or certifications have you earned and from where? In what years did you complete these degrees or certifications?
High school diploma
What is your current occupation, employer, and job title?
Administrative Assistant
Harlandale ISD
List any previous elected offices that you held and the term you held that office. List any elected offices you sought and the years you sought those offices.
Current: South San ISD School Board Trustee District 1
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
I am the only candidate that is qualified for the District 1 seat for South San ISD. I have lived in the South San ISD since 2004 and I have lived in District 1 since 2014. Over the last 16 years I’ve seen the district through many changes and it’s my civic duty to ensure that I continue the progress and represent my district, District 1, in the best way for the students, teachers and staff.
What three issues do you feel are most important to your constituents?
My top 3 concerns to continue the progress for my constituents are:
1. Ensure a safe in class environment for students, teachers, and staff during COVID-19.
2. Resources to be successful academically inside and outside of the classroom for students, teachers and staff during COVID-19.
3. Proper funding of educational programs and technology for student’s success.
If you are elected, what will be your top priorities once you take office?
Serving the South San ISD in District 1, I am committed to continue the progress in all three areas:
1. Students development and success
2. Faculty & Staff (right people in the right place)
3. Develop and strengthen policies and direction for the school district and continue a strong fiscal financial position.
For incumbents: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time in office? Is there any vote or decision you would change now looking back?
Our student’s development and success’ are my top priorities. One of my accomplishments of being a member of the school board, I was able to continue the progress of students during an international pandemic. I voted to ensure that our students were given the tools such as, Chromebooks and hot spots, to be successful outside of the classroom. Being part of the South San ISD school board I voted to hire Dr. Marc Puig as our superintendent. I also voted to approve a budget that is balanced with a surplus for our school district.
For non-incumbents: Would you do anything differently from the current representative holding the office you’re seeking?
N/A
How do you assess your community college district or school district’s performance during the pandemic and the way it served students?
To continue the progress, the school board and I have access to TEA resources and learning management systems to ensure students are performing at or above standards. We currently offer Google Classroom to our students, teachers and staff and hope to introduce Schoology to further the education of our students. This technology serves and provides guidance to parents for student success and when required we also provide home visits to students and their families to educate them on the learning technology.
How will you approach budgeting for your district given the economic uncertainties? What are your budget priorities you would want to keep intact?
To continue the progress, my budget priorities for the South San ISD will be to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and staff during COVID-19. More importantly, ensure biannual funding for South San ISD and I will educate myself on operating the distribution of funds given in a responsible way to ensure that we invest in our student’s success.
How do you plan to work to overcome academic gaps that may have developed or widened during the pandemic?
I will continue the progress by gaining momentum through the transition of students, teachers and staff back into the classroom to avoid academic gaps. If there is an opportunity in academics for our school district I will ensure that we develop a plan and work closely with teachers and staff to minimize academic opportunities.
