State Board of Education District 8: Rhonda Solis
Oct. 16—Rhonda Solis
Party: Democratic
Website: rhonda4cokids.com
Age: 53
Family: Husband, Mike Solis; daughter, Jordan Garza; son, Michael Garza
How long have you lived in Greeley: 37 years
Professional background: Management in the dental field
Political/community experience: Eight years on Greeley/Evans District 6 school board, term-limited. On Greeley Dream Team Board. Past board member D6 Success Foundation. Member of the 19th Judicial nominating commission. Greeley Judicial review board. Co-creator of Latino Northern Colorado podcast. Former CASA (court-appointed special advocate)
Education: Greeley West High School graduate, DU Latino Leadership Institute
Should the state's decade-old accountability system be updated? If yes, how?: Yes. We have to do a better job at measuring growth. Our state test should be considered a data point, not the data point. In District 6, blended learning and our testing allowed teachers instant data as to where a student was. That instant knowledge helped the teacher pivot the lesson plan according to where the class was. The teacher can move those forward that are ready and help those who need more help. In the process of blended learning and the testing, the teacher can even see at what step the student is getting the answer wrong. This helps the teacher plan on what additional resources the student needs. We have found great success with blended learning, and I truly feel that this work helped us to be prepared for the pandemic without even knowing it. We have many community partners to thank along with our community for our students each having their own device for school.
Is the way the state funds K-12 education working? If not, what should change?: It is not working, and we must fully fund K-12 education. Colorado has had a strong economy, and there is no reason we should be at the bottom for per-pupil funding or teacher pay. We must fund education as a priority, and we must pay teachers so they can actually live in the communities that they teach. Teachers should not have to get second jobs or pull from their own pockets for things they need in their classrooms. Colorado has to be able to attract good teachers, and we need to be developing the workforce needed for the jobs of the future.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?: Help with HB-1192 curriculum. Work with Adams 14 and surrounding districts. Visit all the districts in CD8.
