Nicole Rajpal

Relevant degrees, relevant job titles or formal involvement in education:

  • MS in Curriculum & Instruction
  • Adjunct Faculty Front Range Community College
  • Pediatric Dietitian – Children’s Hospital Colorado
  • School Accountability Committee member x 9 years combined: Serving Foothill Elementary for 6 years (chair for 2 years); Southern Hills Middle School for 2 years.
  • BVSD District Accountability Committee member x 6 years (2 years as chairperson) during which time I was involved in many policy, budget, improvement planning and charter school recommendations to the Board of Education.

Digital Presence:
Website: www.rajpalforbvsd.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleRajpal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajpalforbvsd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajpalforbvsd/

BVSD District B (at right) basically includes a northwest portion of the City of Boulder, and unincorporated areas west of the city including Fourmile and Lefthand Canyons.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Q: Why are you running, and why do you deserve a seat on the BVSD Board?
I was encouraged to run for the Board of Education by those who saw, first hand, how my leadership skills, knowledge, and dedication were able to effect change on the District Accountability Committee, and the district overall. I believe that equitable access to a high quality public education is a basic human right, and that while BVSD is a good school district that meets the needs of many, it is capable of becoming a world-class school district that meets the needs of all.

As a school board member I will hold the district accountable to the goals of the strategic plan and insist that they prioritize student needs, provide equitable opportunities and implement characteristics of good governance.  I will use my knowledge of our educational system and skills as a collaborative leader and creative problem solver to ensure BVSD continues to improve and evolve until all of our students, teachers and schools not only grow, but flourish.

Q: You are running to represent a geographic district, though you would be part of a board that oversees the entire BVSD district if you win. What are some top concerns or needs in your specific district?

As as school board member, I will represent the entire school district, not just District B.  What I am most concerned about in District B is:
* Declining enrollment
* Learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Chronic disparities in opportunities and growth.

Q: COVID-19 has been an awful challenge for schools in general. In your opinion, is the current “Back Together BVSD Reintroduction Plan” sufficient to provide the greatest level of safety for all at this time?  Should parents, students, faculty and staff feel reasonably confident about COVID-19 safety within BVSD?

Yes and yes.  The layered approach taken by BVSD is based on the evidence available, and is helping keep our schools open for in person learning.  High vaccination rates (~90% of BVSD staff, and 83% of individuals in Boulder County aged 12+ have at least one dose) are also noteworthy.

Q: What are your top priority strategies to boost or maintain BVSD’s educational performance levels?

* We need to focus on equitable opportunities – a student’s potential should not be limited by their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity, learning needs or school of attendance.
* Equitable access to courses and programs across our district starting in elementary school.
* More opportunities for concurrent enrollment in college/community college and access to career pathways whether that be in technical trades and classes or internships.
* Students do not learn in the same way or on the same day so BVSD must continue to find ways to provide engaging and relevant learning opportunities that equip our students with the skills to be successful.

Q: Do you believe BVSD has done a good job managing educational achievement gaps? What can BVSD do to narrow the gaps?

Not until recently, but I believe our current strategic plan aims to tackle the most pressing issues.  BVSD must continue to hold itself accountable to meeting the targets outlined in the Strategic Plan and the Unified Improvement Plan.  Leveraging board policies to address systemic causes of disproportionality (i.e. discipline, school safety, transportation, engagement, etc.) and inequities are also important.  Many of the contributing factors to the educational growth and achievement gaps have roots beyond the school walls, so the district needs to increase coordination and collaboration with community partners to tackle larger issues of housing, mental health, food insecurity, transportation, etc.

Q: What is your take on the use of or reliance on standardized testing in today’s educational environment, and would you favor changes?

I believe testing has its place in informing instructional practice.  I believe BVSD can improve its internal system of formative assessments so that teachers know what the kids understand and what gaps exist in their learning.  That way they can spend more time teaching concepts students are struggling with and less time on topics that are well understood.

Q: Students may have suffered learning losses due to the pandemic. How can BVSD help prevent these losses from getting worse, and/or help affected students catch back up?

There are a lot of great ideas floating around out there, and some were discussed as a part of the Phase 2+ committee I was on last year.  One tactic I have been pondering is how we can take advantage of the school schedule changes that occurred as part of the equal school day.  If BVSD can work with it’s community partners to hire trained staff to provide wrap-around services and accelerated instruction for students during the late-start Wednesdays and/or after school that could address both increased instructional time and childcare concerns that exist within our community.  I know hiring is a challenge right now so this is easier said than done.  Another idea is to do more intensive targeted/differentiated group instruction during the school day, incentivising more practice at home, and providing more engaging and meaningful options for credit recovery.

Q: Do BVSD students have access to the best educational resources when it comes to understanding race relations in the United States? This question is not necessarily about Critical Race Theory, but would you favor taking a fresh look at BVSD’s curriculum or approach to race education, and why or why not?

I believe we are in a better place than many school districts across the country.  It is my understanding that the Equity Council, Parents of Color Council and Latino Parent Council are taking a fresh look at, and recommending changes to, the BVSD curriculum.  Members of the District Accountability Committee and the District Parent Council are also asked to weigh in on (or provide members to serve on committees that study) curricular changes.

Q: BVSD is a big organization, with lots of people involved, lots of transportation needs, and many facilities. What are a few strategies you’d support to reduce BVSD’s carbon footprint?

This is something I have been thinking about and speaking with members of Boulder City Council about, particularly as it relates to transportation. BVSD is working with cities to improve safe walking/biking routes to school, and is encouraging more carpooling, which are great first steps.  I believe we can go a step further by working with localities to improve bus routes (school and RTD) and include more electric busses.  Personal auto transportation to/from school has a large impact on the environment and we need to work with community members to figure out how we can minimize that.

The food service program, BVSD Ed center and 38 BVSD schools participate in the Green Star Schools program which aims for zero waste; I would like to see all 56 BVSD schools participate in this program.  Continued utilization of green building standards and adding renewable energy sources to schools as construction/renovation projects occur is also important.