Kaye Marie McCormick Schneider, 74, a family life educator, wants to prioritize kids’ wellness, instill a love for learning, and bridge communication gaps between parents and administrators in her run for a seat on Coronado Unified School District’s governing board this November.
“The kids are our main goal,” said Schneider. “Their wellness, not just their academics, but their whole total being as being productive, kids being affirmed, knowing they’re cared about, that they’re each uniquely valued.”
Schneider has lived in Coronado for the past three decades, and while her four kids attended Coronado schools only three of them graduated from Coronado High School. Originally from Montana, Schneider has also lived in Arizona and was a teacher in Phoenix for 12 years.
After moving to Coronado in 1992, Schneider did not pursue a California teaching credential and spent her time as a homemaker, volunteering in classrooms and coaching sports.
Schneider holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and received two masters and a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Once Schneider’s kids became adults, she returned to school in 2014 to learn about family systems, family dynamics, conflict resolution and how to establish healthy relationship skills after a divorce.
During her first masters in marriage and family studies, Schneider developed a program based on the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous on how to develop healthy relationship skills.
Schneider is the owner of Lydia Company and founder of Vital Connections, which offer retreats, individual counseling and family life coaching.
In August, Schneider shut down her social media accounts, but some posts have resurfaced and been portrayed by critics as racist. Schneider described those allegations as bullying.
Schneider said she took 40 days away from social media and when she filed candidate paperwork for the ballot, decided to keep her personal thoughts out of a public, non-partisan election.
One Instagram post from 2021 lists “Regular church/temple attendance” among “warning signs of WHITE SUPREMACY.” Another post on Facebook in April says “The radical Left is waging a quiet war on our Christian faith” claiming that while Christians are being punished, “(California Gov. Gavin) NEWSOM wants to pass a bill making an ISLAMIC holiday part of our state Holidays — paid I believe! HOW hypocritical is that?”
Schneider said she is not a believer of white supremacy and the Instagram post was meant to be satire, mocking the way people throw “white supremacy” and similar terms around. Regarding the Facebook post, Schneider said freedom of religion is being attacked and experienced by Christians and other groups.
“I love my community. I am putting myself out there for people who might want to attack. And if I can help the kids, if I can help education for four years, I’d like to do it,” said Schneider.
Prioritizing children’s wellness
Seeking election to the Coronado School Board is Schneider’s first run for public office.
Schneider said her training now aligns with the California Ed Code and with the district’s focus on the wellness of the whole child.
“There are a lot of children that won’t be the most outstanding athlete, and they may not be the straight A students. But they have gifts in photography, journalism, art, drawing, entrepreneurial skills,” said Schneider. “And I like that Coronado is bringing in things like STEM and robotics.”
Schneider said her first priority, if elected, will be “the wellness of the children.”
Low class sizes, additional aides, music, Spanish and art offerings are other things Schneider would like to see.
“I would like to be available to parents if they have concerns – to be a bridge to bring things to the board,” said Schneider.
Schneider added that she is interested in supporting school staff as the district shifts from a state funding formula to financing based on local property taxes.
“I understand we’re spending down some of our reserves to transition into this new basic aid,” said Schneider. “And so making sure we have reserves is important … But kids in classrooms, faculty and parents, those are my passions.”
As a supporter of books and cursive writing, Schneider would be a proponent of limiting technology screen time up to grade 12.
“If we can minimize it for the lower kids as their brains are developing, I think that’s crucial,” said Schneider.
In August, Village Elementary School families asked current trustees to reverse a recess structure that separates children into zones.
“I think that’s why communication between parents and the board needs to be open and strong,” said Schneider. “And I would commit to being available.”
“Recess should be, in my opinion, free play,” added Schneider. “…I’m new in the race, not new at kids or education, but I can’t speak to specifics because I don’t have all the facts.”
From now through election day, Schneider plans to hear the community’s concerns.
“I’ll walk a day at a time and try to be as gracious and learn as much as I can,” said Schneider. “And if elected, I will serve the people.”
Schneider said her personal beliefs are not part of her educational background.
“I am white. I love my nation. I am a Christian. Those three things to me are not negative,” said Schneider. “They don’t work for any agenda. There’s no ideology. My passion is education and families. What others string together to demean or to intimidate, you know that’s their right. I can’t stop them.”
Being a Christian, for Schneider, is not part of an educational process.
“I’m a mom, I’m a grandma, I’m an educator, I’m a lover of my friends. I love family, I love education,” said Schneider. “I’m concerned about the addictive and vileness of our culture right now and I want our kids to be protected. I want them to be taught how to read, to feel safe, to be affirmed, to know they’re valuable.”
