Ana Maria Mendez
For 5th District School Board
A Message from Ana Maria Mendez – Standing Up for Our Schools, Our Teachers, and Our Children
Our schools are the heart of our community. As your school board representative, I am committed to facing the tough challenges with honesty, compassion, and common sense. The conversations I’ve had with teachers, staff, parents, and students have made it crystal clear: we have serious work to do.
Vision, Issues, & Values
Funding is an Issue – And It Must Be Addressed
Our schools are being asked to do more with less every year. Rising costs, aging facilities, growing student populations, and increased demands on staff have stretched our budgets to the breaking point. We need to work aggressively with state and local partners to secure sustainable funding that puts classrooms first – not administrative overhead.
Support the Staff We Have – Not Replace Them
Our teachers, aides, and frontline staff are the backbone of our school system. We cannot afford to lose experienced educators who know our kids, understand our community, and care deeply about student success. I will advocate for policies that:
- Retain experienced staff
- Limit unnecessary staff reductions or replacements
- Ensure competitive pay to attract and keep talent
Balance Between Facilities Staff and Classroom Needs
We must acknowledge what many of our faculty have said: too often, resources are weighted heavily toward facilities administration while teachers are left struggling for basic classroom support. I will fight to rebalance priorities so that our teachers – who are in the trenches every day – have what they need to succeed.
No Child Should Come to School Hungry
When a child comes to school hungry, learning becomes nearly impossible. I strongly support expanding school meal programs to ensure that every student starts the day ready to learn. This includes:
- Universal breakfast and lunch programs where possible
- Partnering with local nonprofits and businesses to meet nutritional needs
- Community-driven weekend meal programs for vulnerable families
The Struggles Our Families Face Affect Our Children
Many families in our community are dealing with serious challenges, from substance abuse to trauma to cycles of generational poverty. These struggles have a direct impact on our students. I believe our schools must:
- Expand access to school counselors, social workers, and mental health resources
- Create strong partnerships with community services
- Foster trauma-informed practices in every classroom
Appreciating the Power of PTOs and Community Involvement
Our Parent-Teacher Organizations and community groups play an enormous role in supporting our schools. I will ensure they continue to have a strong voice in decision-making and help expand partnerships that make our schools stronger, more connected, and better supported.
Aging Infrastructure Demands Action
Some of our schools are operating in buildings that are decades beyond their intended lifespan. Leaky roofs, outdated electrical systems, and cramped classrooms are unacceptable. We need a comprehensive facilities plan that includes:
- Modernizing older buildings
- Ensuring safe, healthy learning environments
- Investing in long-term maintenance to avoid costly emergency repairs
Growth is Coming – We Must Plan for It
Shenandoah and other parts of our district are seeing increased enrollment as more families move into the area. Unfortunately, many of our schools simply do not have the space to handle this growth. I will push for:
- Strategic planning for new classrooms and facilities
- Transparent budgeting for expansion needs
- Smart, forward-looking growth policies to avoid overcrowding
Create
Every child deserves a safe, well-funded, well-staffed school where they can thrive. As your school board member, I won’t just point out the problems – I’ll roll up my sleeves and work for practical, affordable, community-driven solutions.