Erica Turzak for SVUSD

Ballots arrived last week and there are many important topics to consider. Please make sure you are informed on Measure O and the benefits it will bring to our students and community.

How do you plan to address student and staff retention?

Student retention is attributed to the quality of educators, extracurricular offerings and the school facility – drop off mostly happens at the high school due to sports and electives. Reducing teacher turnover will improve student retention. Passing Measure O will improve retention. Increasing and diversifying electives and developing opportunities for student recognition will improve retention.

I brought the Presidential Service Award to SVHS last year and am working to bring a chapter of the National Honor Society as well.

Teacher attrition can cost the district more in the long run than maintaining and compensating our existing teacher base.

The primary non-salary related reasons for teacher dissatisfaction are:
* general working conditions such as workload, lack of support
and lack of supplies.
* preparation such as on the job training and support for new teachers, but also the amount of non-instructional time available for class time preparation
* teacher stress which tends to occur when there is a gap between classroom demands and classroom resources
* a lack of support which can stem from administration to mentorship opportunities, to parent support at home

We need to increase salaries, but we can also help intangible factors that lead to satisfaction.

We need to support each school site such that classroom work feels manageable, that there is enough staffing, so teachers are given appropriate non-instructional time to prepare and provide opportunities for mentorship.

We need to support professional development and make sure teachers have the resources needed to run their classrooms. Our teachers are wonderful, and they know what they need - we need to support them by being available, by listening and responding to their needs.

How do you define diversity, equity, and inclusion, and why do you believe they are important in our schools?

DEI is a framework that promotes the fair treatment of all people, with specific regard to groups who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented.

For schools, it is about creating a fair and inclusive learning environment for everyone.

When applied to our district, it is the development and promotion of academic systems to ensure that we foster a learning environment where all students feel seen, feel safe, feel included, feel cared for and represented.

It is imperative that we develop these systems to create a fair and inclusive learning environment and that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. It is also important that we offer a curriculum that is inclusive and representative of the student body so students can see themselves in their course of study.

We must be a place for resources and wellness. And continue to support and enhance programs like The Hope Squad and Wellness Center. (Opening at SVHS November 4th!)

DEI is important for a multitude of reasons.

First and foremost, an inclusive society is where everyone feels as though they belong. A sense of belonging plays a significant role in a student’s educational journey.

In the classroom, diversity brings multiple opinions and viewpoints into the conversation – allowing for greater creativity, collaboration and problem solving.

Diversity, equity and inclusion not only promote cultural understanding and empathy for different people, but best equip our students to be citizens of the world and not just a homogeneous group of people.

Furthermore, actively engaging with students in the creation of an inclusive environment may breakdown stereotypes and preconceived notions of others.

If elected, I will keep overall student inclusion and wellness at the forefront of my decision making.

What are the most pressing challenges in the district?

Our students, our teachers, our facilities and our commitment to the community.

We need to foster a learning environment where all students feel safe, included, represented and cared for. We need to ensure that curriculum is inclusive and representative of our student body.
We must be a place for resources and enhance programs like The Hope Squad and the Wellness Center and look for new opportunities to best provide for our students.

If elected, I will keep overall student inclusion and wellness at the forefront of my decision making.

Attracting and retaining teachers is paramount to the success of our students.

Teachers need to be compensated with salaries that reflect the cost of living in our area and need to feel valued, heard and supported.
We must proactively seek opportunities to increase the amount of tax dollars repatriated to our schools.

Our facilities. We must provide our students with a safe learning environment that promotes not just academics but play, sports and clubs. I fully support Measure O and improvements to our school sites.

Lastly is our responsibility to the community. I believe in financial transparency and open communication. I believe in being present and available to our schools and making decisions after fully understanding the downstream impact.

I am honored to have received an endorsement from our Scotts Valley educators. Our teachers are our greatest asset in offering a quality education to our students.

Hi! My name is Erica Turzak, and I am honored to be a candidate for the Scotts Valley Unified School Board. To learn more about me and my priorities and vision for our district, please follow this page or visit:

EricaTurzakforSVUSDSchoolBoard