Campaign Clarification

I have been wanting to post a video this week as a follow up to the 10/6 CUSD Trustee Candidate Forum. I would like to apologize for the delay in posting the video as I have been managing my mother's very poor health. In addition, I have not been feeling well and have had a scratchy throat going into the weekend, so I wanted to heal up a bit first to ensure that I could be understood in the video.

I will post the video soon, pending my voice is clear enough to be audible.

It is important for you to understand that, first and foremost, as a mother and as an educator, I support all students and I support a safe space for all students.

In our district, as is the case throughout our nation, there are several subgroups of students. I have had the privilege to work with many of these subgroups in all my years as a classroom volunteer and a teacher.

We have LGBTQ students, lower socioeconomic students, students who are experiencing traumas in their homes due to divorce, death or other circumstances, students born with learning disabilities and other special needs, and students of different races and faiths. Even these categories do not cover all the students represented in our district.

I have firsthand knowledge of some of these subgroups because they exist in my own home as well as with friends, family and neighbors.

At the school board candidate forum on Tuesday 10/6, a yes/no question was asked:

"Will you as a candidate, commit tonight to support CUSD programs the LGBTQ students depend upon for their health and wellbeing?"

There was confusion which played out that was highly misconstrued.

This question lacked the contextual information that is necessary for me to know in order to commit my support as either a candidate or trustee.

As a trustee, I need to balance the health and safety of ALL students. So, I would need to ensure that the rights of one student or subgroup do not infringe upon the rights of another student or subgroup. This is why that was not a yes/no question.

If you watch the forum in its entirety you will hear me express a major theme of my campaign which is to support the social, mental and emotional health of ALL students.

Stay tuned for my video, which will reiterate this statement, pending a clear voice.

If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to contact me for further civil discourse at gretchen4cusd@gmail.com .

Thank you.

Gretchen Vurbeff