‘Clovis does not need a change in culture.’ Clovis author wants to succeed husband on school board
Parenting author Molly DeFrank says she would bring a valuable perspective to the district's school board as a mother of six Clovis Unified students.
DeFrank has all of her children, biological and adopted, enrolled in Clovis Unfied's elementary, junior high, and high schools. She said she's running to give back to the district that the family has benefited tremendously from, and she wants to preserve Clovis' "unique" culture.
DeFrank is one of three candidates vying to replace her husband, outgoing Trustee David DeFrank, who did not seek reelection. The district's most competitive school board race this election also features Wilma Tom Hashimoto, executive director of CASA of Fresno Madera counties, and retired teacher Janet Kardashian.
The school board's Area 2 seat includes Clovis North High School and is one of four trustee seats on the November ballot.
DeFrank spoke with The Fresno Bee's via email about her priorities and goals. Her responses are edited for length and clarity.
Why do you want to be a trustee?
My six kids spend seven hours a day in Clovis schools, so you can know that I am invested in what they are being taught. Since our schools are a reflection of the community, it is critical that parents are represented on the school board. I'm the only parent of current Clovis Unified students in the race.
I've seen Clovis schools from many angles. As foster parents, we have welcomed a lot of kids into our home for short and long periods of time. My husband and I have parented kids with a wide range of abilities and behaviors. No matter the student, I've seen teachers, administrators, therapists, coaches, and psychologists come alongside kids to help them achieve their best. What we have in Clovis is special, and I want to help protect that. I am running to give back to the district that has given our family so much.
I'm grateful to have the support of many leaders in our community, including elected officials from school boards and city councils, and from county and state levels.
What are the school district's biggest challenges and how can it overcome them?
Academic excellence. Like all school districts, Clovis is still recovering from lost learning when schools were shut down by the state during COVID. Thanks to our phenomenal teachers and administrators, we are making gains to close that gap. We must continue these efforts.
Protecting Clovis from outside influences. Clovis excellence is unique, and Sacramento's values are not our values. CUSD is driven by what is best for kids. I will fight to protect what we have in Clovis Unified. Our schools belong to our community, not to outside groups angling for control or funding from our schools.
Navigate special education programs lacking federal funding support. The federal government requires the district to provide costly programs without providing sufficient funding for those programs. We must advocate for our special education families while lobbying for the funding we need to serve them.
What are your goals if elected and how would you achieve them?
More than 70% of California schools are experiencing declining enrollment. But Clovis is growing. We've gone from the 14th largest school district statewide to the 12th over the last few years. People move here so they can send their children to our schools.
That said, my primary goal is to maintain high standards in Clovis Unified, where every kid gets a fair break. Dr. "Doc" Buchanan's charge is the heartbeat of our district, and it will take hard work to protect that.
Clovis Unified is growing. What can the school district do to ensure fair representation of its diverse student population?
Doc Buchanan said it best, "Our philosophy is very simple: A fair break for every kid." As a mom to six kids and many more foster kids, I have seen firsthand what CUSD offers children from diverse backgrounds and ability levels. As a foster parent, I have had experience with kids from many cultural backgrounds and varying levels of ability. I've parented honors students, developmentally delayed students, and kids on IEPs.
Here is what we have seen: CUSD teachers, admin, and support staff are deeply invested in the success of every student. Every CUSD student has access to a top-notch education.
I also believe that it's best for students to experience diversity represented in all dimensions, making sure that our students are exposed to a variety of ideas and cultures while keeping academic excellence at the forefront. I believe it is important to foster intellectual curiosity while teaching kids how to respectfully disagree with one another. It is okay that we don't all think exactly the same way. We can exchange different ideas, respectfully discuss them, and then head out for a great game of kickball at recess.
What are the changes you would like to bring to the school board and district's culture?
Clovis is different because it emphasizes high-quality relationships from the top down. Teachers genuinely love their students. Administrators genuinely respect and listen to their teachers. Parents and schools partner together because that's what is best for kids. I have subbed in many Clovis Unified classrooms where the students are exceptionally well-behaved (not necessarily my classroom experience when I was a kid and a substitute teacher showed up). Teachers in Clovis cultivate a culture of respect in their classrooms based on relationships.
I parented a child who needed summer school, and that child (not a morning person) woke up every morning thrilled to go because Principal Mrs. Castro greeted her with a high five and a smile every single morning, and because her teacher made learning fun.
Clovis does not need a change in culture. It needs leaders who understand what an incredible culture we have and are willing to work to preserve it.
