Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Cindy Barrios
Current job title: Mom
Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Huntington Beach
Campaign website or social media: sites.google.com/view/cindybarrios4hb/home
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for heavier restrictions on smartphones in schools, pointing to studies that show the harmful effects of social media. How do you see schools restricting smartphone use? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
As a TK-8 district, HBCSD has the benefit of a younger student population and cell phone use does not become pervasive until the middle school level. The use of smartphones and social media among middle school students during school hours is distracting and socially counterproductive when students should be engaging in their surroundings. However, this needs to be balanced with parents’ beliefs that smartphones are a key safety requirement for their children. While parents and educators agree on the need for limits, enforcing them is challenging since personal device restrictions largely fall to parents. Blocking platforms on school networks has limitations in effectiveness. A working group of parents, teachers and students should identify key concerns and acceptable uses for smartphones so that policies and technical solutions can be developed and adopted that meet the needs of all stakeholders. Additionally, creating tutorials for parents on setting controls for their child’s smartphone could foster a partnership to limit misuse during school hours.
How can your district better harness artificial intelligence technology for learning while also protecting kids from another tool that can be used for bullying? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Artificial intelligence technology has various applications that can transform learning experiences by enhancing student engagement and tailoring content to meet individual needs. Many interactive learning tools and games are already being used to help students access and master content at their own pace, particularly in math and science. Virtual and augmented reality can turn concepts into immersive experiences that foster true understanding. AI-powered tutors can provide practice and real-time feedback for students needing extra support or seeking additional depth in their areas of interest. AI can also free teachers to focus more on instruction by automating grading and analyzing student performance trends to identify areas requiring additional attention.
However, alongside these learning benefits, AI can also be misused, so it is crucial to implement strict data protection policies and use platforms that comply with all privacy regulations. Teachers, staff, parents and especially students must be educated to recognize the signs of cyberbullying and AI misuse and provided with tools to report issues easily and anonymously in real-time. Regular audits of AI systems should be conducted, and AI itself can be employed to monitor online interactions and content for inappropriate behavior, bullying or harassment.
What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
HBCSD will transition to a local funding model this year, which will bring new budgetary challenges. The board needs to manage this transition effectively to increase per-pupil expenditures over the long term and transform how the district invests in teachers, technology, facilities and curriculum. I understand the complexity and the difficult decisions that will be required to maximize the benefits of this transition over the coming years. Managing budgetary resources in an environment where spending can directly impact learning outcomes is complicated and sometimes emotional for stakeholders.
One area of need in HBCSD that cannot be delayed during the funding transition is the lack of air conditioning in some of our schools. It’s difficult for learning to take place in a physically uncomfortable environment. As of the last HVAC update in 2023, construction was planned for summer 2025; however, it is unclear if we are still on track to meet this deadline. I am prepared to request an update on the current progress and the status of the financing process. I would also advocate for the use of general funds for any pre-construction expenses, which would later be reimbursed, in order to fast-track the process.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to the table for this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that make you the person for this job? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Before becoming a mom, I was an intelligence analyst for Special Operations Forces, spending 15 years after 9/11 pursuing targets in Afghanistan and around the globe. It was more than just a job; the mission required 24/7 on-call support and multi-month deployments — something I could not continue with young children. One skill I honed as an analyst is the ability to process vast amounts of data, discern its importance and quickly make decisions. I am adept at listening to multiple points of view and finding common ground to move forward.
I have been active in HBCSD and the PTA, running the book fair at the elementary school my two boys attend and volunteering at numerous events throughout the year. I understand parents’ concerns because I share them, and I see firsthand the impacts of what happens in classrooms. I bring a parent’s perspective to the board, which will certainly grow and evolve as my oldest enters middle school in the 2025-26 school year. My ability to bridge and communicate with all stakeholders, particularly parents, on the difficult issues and decisions the board will face during this term will be an asset.
California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Decades of research continue to show that parental involvement in education yields better outcomes in behavior, attendance and test scores, regardless of race, ethnicity or socio-economic status. Much of this research focuses on school-based involvement, such as parent-teacher conferences, volunteering and attending school events, as well as creating a supportive learning environment at home. However, as curricula increasingly introduce more controversial issues at younger grades, more parents are demanding to be notified of what their children are being taught and are “opting out” of lessons they find objectionable. It is absolutely within the rights of every parent to inspect the curriculum and request accommodations for their child. While not all parents may be great parents, they have the right — short of child endangerment — to know what the government is teaching their children. The real issue that deserves debate is not what role parents should play, but whether state or local governments should control key educational decisions. Local school board elections are nonpartisan so that schools can remain politically neutral and focused on what is best for children.
What role do you see your district playing in combating climate change? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
HBCSD is a small district, but everyone can play a part in combating climate change. Even small changes can make a difference. District policies can promote more sustainable facilities by incorporating energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems as current systems require lifecycle replacement. Greener options should also be considered as replacements are needed for buses, vehicles and maintenance equipment.
Additionally, with the cost of waste removal having more than doubled for HBCSD, implementing and promoting waste reduction programs could also result in significant cost savings. Curriculum enhancements that teach and promote sustainability and environmental stewardship can also contribute to combating climate change. Hands-on projects like school gardens and tree planting are excellent ways to teach students about science, sustainability and conservation.
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