Candidate Questionnaire: Sol de Medianoche

I answer every questionnaire honestly so Anchorage families know exactly where I stand. Parents deserve to decide what is best for their children. See my responses to Sol de Medianoche, Alaska's bilingual newspaper here. Submitted on February 26, 2026.

1. Who are you and why are you running for school board? I am a 20-year Air Force Veteran, Dad of two Anchorage School District students, homeschool parent, and former educator and lunch lady in ASD schools. My dad was born in Juárez, Mexico. I grew up in a mixed-race household and served alongside people from every background across 50+ countries. As a C-130 Crew Chief, I deployed six times after swearing in on 9/11. I later became a maintenance instructor and earned 2011 Instructor of the Year for the Air Force. Those experiences taught me fiscal responsibility, resource stewardship, and the value of results. With the right instruction, anyone can learn almost anything with the right opportunities.

I am running because Anchorage kids deserve better than Alaska's near-last rankings when we are spending in the top 5 in the country. I have seen firsthand why our schools are struggling, tried to make positive changes as a parent and community member, and was told my voice was not wanted by those in charge. Many parents and students can relate. I am not tied to any special interest group. Those who have supported me want real change without blame and excuses, not the status quo. 2. The ASD has some of the most diverse schools in the country. What does education equity mean to you, and how would you ensure that ASD students receive it? Education equity means every student has an equal opportunity to succeed based on their own effort and participation. In Anchorage's highly diverse schools, no group should receive special treatment over another. We are here to educate every child who shows up, engages, and wants to learn in the greatest nation in the world.

Equity is not about lowering standards or creating separate tracks. It is about high expectations for all students, accurate identification of needs, and resources directed where they make the biggest difference in core skills like reading and math. We need more choice and local control so families access high-performing options without bureaucracy blocking them.

To ensure equity in ASD, I would prioritize strong academics and high expectations for every student, cut waste and redirect savings to smaller classes, promote safe learning environments where every child feels respected, and empower parents and teachers to guide decisions locally.