Glendora School Board incumbent Zondra Borg and opponent Gary Clifford differ in many ways..

Takeaways from the Glendora School Board Candidate Forum— watch here
Download FLYER here.

On Students:
Zondra Borg understands that schools work best when students' needs are our priority. They are the reason she’s here, and it’s through that lens that she does this work. Her motto is “Every Child Matters.” As a former teacher and district administrator, Zondra understands that to tap into students' needs and best serve them, she must listen to all the district's stakeholders: students, teachers, school staff, and parents.

When asked who should be put first in the school district, Gary Clifford says it’s an easy answer for him: He puts teachers and administrators before students. Watch this on the forum video, linked at the top of this page, timecode 36:30.

On LGBTQ and students of color:
There are students in our school district who identify as LGBTQ (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transsexual/Queer), and Glendora has a growing demographic of students who are Hispanic, Asian, Black as well as English learners. Zondra’s motto is “Every Child Matters,” and she supports all students that come through GUSD. She believes that representation matters, students should feel heard and seen, and that teachers need to be supported with resources and professional development that allows them to fully support all students from all backgrounds, and identities, in an inclusive way so they can thrive and feel safe while at school.

When asked how to ensure a kind, empathetic, and safe space for LGBTQ and BIPOC students, Gary Clifford seems to imply that these are “individual” issues that need to be heard, or helped to be made “healthy again.” At timecode 1:18:37 of the forum video…“You don’t need the whole process to change…You have to be able to listen to that people who have that issue, understand that gap between how they feel and what needs to be done, and provide the resources for that person to get healthy again, and feel safe and confident…but you don’t have to create the entire environment, it doesn’t have to be that big.”

On required curriculum including sex ed:

Zondra believes in California Education’s policy of parent choice when it comes to parts of the state curriculum, such as health (including sex) education. In line with state guidelines, Zondra understands that lessons should be available for families who want it, but also believes that no parent or student should be forced to learn something they have an objection to. Zondra supports the current policy that invites parents to review state curriculums, textbooks at the district office, and communicate their wish to opt out of specific lessons.

Gary Clifford believes that there is no place in the classroom for anything outside of concepts on state mandated tests. According to Gary, Sex Education - along with Computer Science, Coding, and Civics - are to be taught “in the living room.” (See timecode 1:15). Factcheck: The California Healthy Youth Act requires public schools to offer sex education curriculum, and Glendora parents can opt-out.

On preparing students for the future:

As a career educator, Zondra Borg knows what students need to succeed in the classroom today and for an ever-evolving future. In addition to core subjects like math, science, and English, Zondra believes that GUSD should foster an environment in which students learn critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, civics, computers and technology.

Gary Clifford believes that GUSD's educational model should focus on things that he says are “not ever changing." He also questions why students no longer have PE (Factcheck: GUSD does have PE), and why the Ten Commandments are no longer taught in public school (Factcheck: They were never part of the curriculum in CA). See timecode 45:32 for his comments.

On declining enrollment:

Zondra understands that the only way to counteract the national trend of declining enrollment is to attract new students to GUSD by offering innovative courses and programs. In her work on the current board, Zondra has already helped lead efforts to start dual-language immersion and career-path STEAM programs that will offer students hands-on experience with both animatronics and aviation.

Gary Clifford’s answer to declining enrollment is to sell district properties and return to an outdated model of education that distances us from the cutting-edge curriculum that will attract students.