Belen Board of Education candidates

District 1

Joanne Silva (I)

Age: 60

Current occupation: Service coordinator for the N.M. Department of Health, Los Lunas Community Program

Highest level of education: MA Modern and Classical Languages UNM

Previously held elected office: Current school board member, Belen Consolidated Schools

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. “I have never filed for bankruptcy.”

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. “I have never been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, an misdemeanor or felony offenses in NM or any other state.”

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?

“I have experience as a teacher and administrator in elementary, middle and high school settings. My areas of concentration are in bilingual and special education. Additionally, I am a licensed educational diagnostician with an in depth understanding of student assessment, achievement and the need for highly effective instruction and tiered intervention. I have served on board since 2024.”

2. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“As a current school board member, our attention is on student outcomes focused governance; embedded in this practice are tools that monitor academic growth, and community/parental involvement. Our board collaborates intently with Superintendent Sanchez to assure that parents and community have opportunity to participate in the decisions that impact student learning ...”

3. How can the board help the district communicate to families and the community the importance of consistent attendance by students?

“The board can continue to collaborate with Superintendent Sanchez to build positive relationships with the community and deliver clear messages explaining the correlation between attendance and academic success while also identifying and responding to barriers that families face. By creating a positive school culture, we hope to encourage parents to ask for assistance when needed...”

District 4

Jim Danner (I)

Age: 80

Current occupation: Retired educator with Belen Schools

Highest level of education: Master of Science, University of New Mexico

Previously held elected office: Two terms (8 years) on the Belen Board of Education.

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. No

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No.

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?

“I have served on the Belen Board of Education for eight years. I have lived in the community since 1949 and understand what is needed in the education process. I helped begin the implementation of SOFG (School Outcome Focused Governance) at Belen Schools.”

2. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“SOFG ensures community input and shapes Belen Schools’ decisions and policies. It started by involving the community in setting the board of education’s goals, and making those goals central to everything the district does.”

3. How can the board help the district communicate to families and the community the importance of consistent attendance by students?

“Attendance is a mindset that values the role of education in life. The entire community shares responsibility to ensure students attend class and are prepared to become contributing citizens.”

District 5

Larry B. Garley (I)

Age: 75

Current occupation: Small business owner, Garley’s School of Driving; retired school teacher

Highest level of education: Master of Arts, school administration, NMHU; double major, bachelors degrees in social science and physical education, double minor in drivers education and safety education

Previously held elected office: Belen Board of Education, 11 years

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstance. No

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?

“I have served on the Belen Board of Education for 11 years, graduate of BHS (1968), teacher at Clark County school district for two years, Belen Consolidated Schools, 35 years; post secondary education; driver education teacher (49 years), BHS football coach (11 years), boys basketball coach (eight years), golf coach (28 years) and adult GED teacher (four years).”

2. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“I will always listen to the concerns of the community and make decisions based on what I feel is best for students, parents teachers and school personnel. I attend most Belen High School events, and community members come up to me and talk about school issues.”

3. How can the board help the district communicate to families and the community the importance of consistent attendance by students?

“Our elementary schools have programs to engage parents, teachers and students in social settings, so as to have a closer relationship between them. We also have student, parent and teacher meetings at Belen Middle School. We have credit recovery programs at Infinity High School and BHS for any student who are in need of credits for graduation. The Belen BOE is always working and supporting the importance of school attendance.”