Kathi Arocha
Kathi Arocha ran for election to the Arlington Independent School District to represent Place 3 in Texas. She lost in the general election on May 4, 2024.
Biography
Kathi Arocha was born in San Angelo, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from Dallas Baptist University in 2016. Her career experience includes working in business management. She has been affiliated with Rising Latinos Leadership.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Arlington Independent School District, Texas, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Arlington Independent School District, Place 3
Larry Mike defeated Kathi Arocha and April Williams Moore in the general election for Arlington Independent School District, Place 3 on May 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Larry Mike (Nonpartisan) | 42.4 | 3,957 |
 | Kathi Arocha (Nonpartisan) | 32.5 | 3,035 | |
 | April Williams Moore (Nonpartisan) | 25.1 | 2,349 | |
| Total votes: 9,341 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Arocha in this election.
2023
See also: Arlington Independent School District, Texas, elections (2023)
General election
General election for Arlington Independent School District, Place 7
The following candidates ran in the general election for Arlington Independent School District, Place 7 on May 6, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leanne Haynes (Nonpartisan) | 36.1 | 5,022 |
| Corliss Bunkley (Nonpartisan) | 21.3 | 2,970 | |
 | Bridgett Davis (Nonpartisan) | 18.5 | 2,573 | |
| Kathi Arocha (Nonpartisan) | 14.3 | 1,992 | |
 | Hunter Crow (Nonpartisan) | 5.6 | 775 | |
| Watson Robinson Jr. (Nonpartisan) | 4.3 | 598 | |
| Total votes: 13,930 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2022
See also: Texas State Board of Education election, 2022
General election
General election for Texas State Board of Education District 11
Incumbent Patricia Hardy defeated Luis Sifuentes and Kathi Arocha in the general election for Texas State Board of Education District 11 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Patricia Hardy (R) | 63.3 | 390,046 |
 | Luis Sifuentes (D) | 36.7 | 226,183 | |
| Kathi Arocha (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 176 | |
| Total votes: 616,405 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary runoff election
The Democratic primary runoff election was canceled. Luis Sifuentes advanced from the Democratic primary runoff for Texas State Board of Education District 11.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James Whitfield (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Board of Education District 11
Luis Sifuentes and James Whitfield (Unofficially withdrew) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Daniel Caldwell in the Democratic primary for Texas State Board of Education District 11 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Luis Sifuentes | 47.2 | 25,401 |
| ✔ | | James Whitfield (Unofficially withdrew) | 33.7 | 18,104 |
 | Daniel Caldwell | 19.1 | 10,261 | |
| Total votes: 53,766 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Board of Education District 11
Incumbent Patricia Hardy defeated Joshua Tarbay, Rebecca Garcia, and Daniel Caldwell in the Republican primary for Texas State Board of Education District 11 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Patricia Hardy | 58.9 | 84,028 |
 | Joshua Tarbay | 20.7 | 29,554 | |
| Rebecca Garcia | 12.1 | 17,260 | |
| Daniel Caldwell | 8.3 | 11,781 | |
| Total votes: 142,623 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Texas State Board of Education District 11
No candidate advanced from the convention.
Candidate | ||
| Daniel Caldwell (L) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kathi Arocha did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2023
Kathi Arocha did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Kathi Arocha completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Arocha's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a substitute educator with a business degree. I am a mother/grandmother of a multicultural family. I am passionate about the success of our kids and have always strived to help them awaken the unknown talents they possess. I want to serve my community, educators, and especially the kids in District 11. Transparency, Integrity, and Truth are what I will represent if elected.
- We need programs that will stimulate the minds of the kids so they discover their hidden talents. Skill sets that will help them start the journey to becoming self-sufficient. Hands-on programs to encourage team building and to provide the kids an opportunity to grow in their talents.
- Teachers need to be allowed to teach their subject matters in the context that it was meant to be taught. We need to provide the tools they need to get the job done.
- Parents should always have the right to know and understand the curriculum taught to their kids. The educator's responsibility is to educate their students to prepare them to be successful academically.
I have 26 years in management and hold a certification in statistics. Throughout my career, I became passionate about compliance, budgeting, and process improvements. I want to understand where a process is broken and develop a plan to make it better for all involved. Compliance is to ensure integrity and transparency are present within the processes and policies. We need to make sure that budgeting is spent in the right areas for the right reasons. My passion is to help develop the next leaders in our kids. The educational curriculum is the driving force of the future, not only for the student but for the future economy of our State. WE need to make sure our kids are prepared academically with skills that can help them become productive citizens.
My approach is will always be with Integrity, Truth and Transparency
A dear friend named Jennifer, who I've known for over 25 years, has always encouraged me to level up in my education and career. She challenged me to go higher in every area of my life, and I did. Our upbringing is total opposites. She never experienced lack; she went to the best schools, achieved a master's degree, and successfully climbed the corporate ladder. She recognized I had hidden talents and the drive to be successful. She would challenge me to continue to set the bar higher. She encouraged me to obtain my Bachelor's degree, and I did. Her communication skills are excellent, and I have learned much from her. She understands my passion for encouraging kids to be their best selves. Her words to me when I told her I wanted to run for the State Board of Education, she said, "Go for it! You have a gift for reaching kids; You know how to reach their level. You aren't discouraged by the challenges they may be experiencing. The kid's success is your ultimate passion."
Integrity, Transparency, and Truth should be the guiding principles of our elected officials. We must demonstrate these principles to build trust. There's so much division within the political realm on both sides. Many elected officials have forgotten or ignored the voice of their constituents. The American voters have entrusted their elected officials to be their voice. These elected officials should never lose sight of that.
If elected, I will ensure transparency, Integrity and truth. I have a passion for the success of our kids. I will support our educators and will listen to the voice of the parents. Best-in-class education will be my goal within my district.
To ensure the best-in-class educational system is in place. To effectively prepare students in becoming functional, productive, creative leaders to lead our State of Texas and our Country.
A woman who worked across the aisles to achieve an educational system that created opportunity for students to excel in their hidden talents.
I was a young Hispanic single mother of two daughters. I vowed that one day I would provide a home for them. The hard work paid off, and I purchased my first home when I was 23. That was the first home I lived in that could be called home. Growing up, I lived with relatives in their homes and was grateful. However, when I purchased my home, it was a significant milestone I achieved.
I was born and raised in San Angelo, Texas, and I know what it's like to come from humble beginnings. I began working at a young age while attending Edison Jr. High. My first job was working the night shift from 4 pm to midnight, five days a week at a meat packing company. I quickly understood the benefits of hard work and appreciated my contribution to my family. Although juggling school and work were challenging, that experience established a foundation for good work ethics. I wouldn't trade that experience because it awakened my passion for striving to become the best in achieving various management positions within my career path.
Agradecido by Danny Gokey. Great talent and a great song
Review and set curriculum, determine graduate requirements, budget/fundings and listen to the voice of the people
I have a diverse family unit and understand some of the challenges experienced. I want to expand that understanding on the needs and gaps that are present in the district and the community to bring about a plan of unification as well as address these needs for inclusion of all.
I will attend local school board meetings to listen to members and the community to work together to build a best-in-class school system. We all have a significant role to play. Parents' voices will not go unheard. Educators must have the tools and support needed to succeed in their academic teaching. School safety is a high priority. Budgets and policies should be carefully reviewed, and make the necessary changes to benefit the educational system.
Diversity and inclusion should be a standard across the board to expand the search for the right talent for a specific position. Recruitment will include placing the most qualified candidate having the skill set in doing the job. A qualified candidate will not be discriminated against their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Biased views have gotten in the way of quality education. Educators need to teach the students their subject matter academically. The school system is a place to prepare students in becoming productive citizens. To be open to healthy dialogue. The students must understand History, Science, English, Math, and other subjects in their original context. Students should have the opportunity to think for themselves. Educators should guide them to draw their conclusions without biased influence.
Allow the student to discover their hidden talents. Provide curriculums to develop skill sets for students to master their talent. A diploma is an outstanding achievement. However, a diploma with an awakened skill set will guide the student in becoming a productive, self-sufficient citizen
Technical, apprenticeships, and job programs are needed and should be considered as part of the requirement to graduate. This path has worked for generations. The risk of not having programs like this will place our students, State, and Country at a disadvantage. Our students should be the innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and leaders.
Review what is being funded today within real estate, academics, and safety. Find the fluff. Determine what is working towards or against the schools. Funding should always have the student's and Educators' best interest. The students are the future and must ensure they're equipped to lead our country successfully.
Protecting our students is a number one priority. Have qualified effective security measures in place, which include trained personnel. Unfortunately, our school safety has negatively shifted where our schools have been a target. Therefore, safety has to be at the top of the list. I will make it a priority to ensure safety measures are in place. No school is immune, and we must ensure we keep our kids safe.
Ensure there is a clear understanding on what is needed in the district and fund appropriate programs to support these needs.
Laptops have been helpful from a convenience perspective. However, the downside to that convenience is that cheating has become a norm. There should be restrictions only to allow educational research sites so students can learn to do actual research. Phones are significant distractions and shouldn’t be allowed during class. The devices should be in a designated area easily accessible in case of an emergency. All rooms have direct phone lines as part of the budget. Therefore, any student can be reached during their class.
Interactive programs/teaching are essential to keep the students engaged. We need to develop a plan to address the events that may require students not to attend in person for a certain period. Today, Fire drills are conducted throughout the year to show the students and assist the teachers on how to exit the premises effectively. This plan should have the same emphasis. This plan should also be tested occasionally during the school year to ensure its effectiveness. Doing so will provide insight into what works and what doesn't. Testing this plan will prepare educators, students, and parents to manage these crises successfully.
Listening to the parents is a priority. We must have an open dialogue on any concerns they have with their children's education. The Parents and Educators are the driving force to achieving academic success in each child/student. Transparency and integrity are essential to building trust. There must be communication in layman's terms on curriculum changes, budgets, diversity/inclusion programs, and the impacts of those decisions.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 27, 2022
