Orange County Registrar of Voters: Candidate Statement

By Art Montez

NAME: ART MONTEZ

OCCUPATION: Educator/Parent/Businessman

As a former Centralia School District board member; educator; parent; businessman and Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. The experience is especially critical during poor economic times as school boards have to make difficult decisions. As a former board member, I helped identify needed funds and grants to support our students, teachers and families which resulted in millions of dollars for our schools.

As a parent, providing training programs which empower our parents to help their children succeed academically is important.

As a businessman, I know the importance of managing taxpayer funds in an efficient and effective manner. Our schools need to be financially solvent.

These are my priorities:

Re-open Walter Knott Elementary School.

Teaching students to learn English.

Increasing math and reading test scores.

Reducing school over-crowding.

Investing your tax dollars in providing state-of-the-art school facilities.

Expanding special education programs and services.

Increasing the number of students attending pre-school, summer school and after-school programs.

Expanding music and art programs.

Maintaining a safe school environment.

Reducing student absenteeism.

Increasing school partnerships with community organizations i.e.; boy/girl scouts, soccer leagues and little league.

My children attended and graduated from Centralia schools. Please contact me: arturomontez@gmail.com.