Westminster School District Recall: Blossie Marquez's Educational Background

Education issues: The Westminster School District's recall campaign. 

The first thing I wrote about it was When Beliefs Collide  Then I wrote about Why it Matters to Me, and a roundup of opinons

A voter (and I believe parent) in the Westminster School District decided to research the background of  Ms. Blossie Marquez, who is one of the two schoolboard members subject to recall. It seems that Rev. Marquez misspoke about her credentials,  which raises the question, is she fit to be on the board?

In that post (it's long), I wrote:

In 2000, the board had two vacancies and had to appoint two members. One was Blossie Marquez-Woodcock, who is variously identified as "Blossie Marquez" and "Blossie Woodcock". Marquez-Woodcock, identified herself as having a master's in divinity.

Material from the League of Women Voters for the 2002 election (I don't know how long they archive the pages): The information on this page and on all pages linked below is provided by the candidate.
(The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.)

Blossie A. Marquez  Candidate for Board Member; Westminster School District

Biographical Highlights
Occupation: Appointed Governing Board Member, Westminster School District
Chaplain
Bereavement Counselor
Bachelor, Master's Degree-Doctoral Candidate
St. Joseph's Health System
Site Council President

Top Priorities if Elected

Provide a quality education for all students
Promote in all students, academic excellence, social growth and responsible decision makings
Prepare all students to live productive lives in a diverse global community

Key Endorsements

Westminister Teacher Association
California School Employees Association (Chapter 34) WSD
Kermit Marsh-City Council

Campaign Contact Information: E-mail: promise@prodigy.net

Rev. Blossie A. Marquez, M.Div.
P.O. Box 843
Westminister,CA 92684-0843 # Phone/Fax: 714-891-1934

Denominational Affiliation: Non-Denominational

I was unable to determine which institution granted Rev. Marquez's divinity degree, or where she is a candidate for PhD.

Mary Mangold is a parent in  the Westminster district.  She wrote:

Blossie Marquez provided information about her educational background that was not on her Registrar of Voters Declaration of Candidacy papers but on her actual job application with the district. I have listed the information that I have found about Blossie's education.

I just find it unbelievable and completely unacceptable that an elected public official may have either completely fabricated or greatly embellished her resume. Although I realize that having a degree is not a prerequisite to being on the school board, she cannot claim to have degrees that seemingly do not exist.  In the "real world" FALSIFYING INFORMATION on a resume or application would be grounds for immediate dismissal!

1) At the board meeting on June 3, 2004, Blossie stated during her board comments that she has both a BA and a MA degree. When I questioned her about her degrees at the July 1, 2004, board meeting she did not answer any of my questions. I have also left several phone messages for her and she has not returned any of my phone calls.

2) I requested and received a copy of Blossie's job application (Request for Consideration to Fill Board Vacancy) when she applied for the appointed open board position in 2000. This form is public information. On the application, dated November 21, 2000, in her own handwriting, Blossie listed a BA and a MA from the "So. California Graduate School of Theology in Fresno, CA."

3) I have contacted over 15 different agencies and universities in Fresno, California inquiring about the existence of this school. They all gave me the same information. This "school" does not exist today, and they have never heard of its existence in the past. Some of the agencies I contacted included: the  WASC commission: Western Association of  Schools and Colleges, The California Licensing  Bureau  for Private  Post Secondary and Vocational Education (this is the licensing agency for all private and vocational colleges) Fresno Dept. Of Education,  Fresno City Hall, Fresno Mayor's Office, California Dept. Of Consumer Affairs, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California Christian College in Fresno, Fresno Pacific University......, etc.,

4) I went down to Orange County Registrar of Voters Office and requested and received a copy of the election papers (Declaration of Candidacy-Elections Code Sections 200, 10602, 10511) that Blossie filed for the November 2002 election. I also requested a copy of all the other candidates' filing papers. All of the candidates who held degrees listed them on their election filing papers. However, Blossie listed NO degrees on her election papers. This I find very puzzling. If she supposedly has degrees, why aren't they listed on her election papers? Could it be because these forms are actual legal documents that are notarized and witnessed by a county clerk?

5) I obtained a copy of the voter information sheet provided by the League of Woman Voters for the November 2002 election.(www.smartvoter.org/ca/or/) On this information sheet Blossie listed: " Bachelor, Master's Degree-Doctoral Candidate". However, she did NOT list any dates for completing these supposed degrees or the name of any college or university she attended.

6) I did locate a school in Anaheim, CA with a similar sounding name as the supposed school in Fresno, CA. Just in case Blossie got her cities mixed up I called this school and was informed that their courses are only offered in the Korean language. Furthermore, they only offer MA degrees. For admittance to their MA program you already need to hold a BA degree from an accredited university.

After researching and gathering all this information it all points in the same direction. Do Blossie's degrees from an accredited university or college really exist? Unless Blossie can provide documentation that they do, it is my conclusion that they DO NOT!  Where is her integrity? A public official should NOT be able to make false and misleading statements and think that the public is not going to notice!

E-mail for the recall campaign: Westrecall@aol.com

Website for recall campaign: http://www.forallchildren.info/

Comments

[Mark Ahrens]

I do think the Blossie situation is interesting. I was there when Trustees Michael Verrengia, Jo-Ann Purcell, Helena Rutkowski, (and I think Jim Reed) appointed Blossie to the school board. I was amazed because my mother, Judy Ahrens, was the runner-up in the previous election, yet these Trustees did not even consider her. You may want to give your readers the option of reading another viewpoint on the subject matter by visiting our "NO RECALL" website at www.support-the-board.com.

[Mark Ahrens]

I do think the Blossie situation is interesting. I was there when Trustees Michael Verrengia, Jo-Ann Purcell, Helena Rutkowski, (and I think Jim Reed) appointed Blossie to the school board. I was amazed because my mother, Judy Ahrens, was the runner-up in the previous election, yet these Trustees did not even consider her. You may want to give your readers the option of reading another viewpoint on the subject matter by visiting our "NO RECALL" website at www.support-the-board.com.

[Eloise Hunter]

I know Blossie personally, and she is a women of honor. I feel that if Ms. Mangold doesn't stop her witchhunt, she will be sued by many people, very soon.

[M. Carri]

I am just becoming aware of this situation with a phone call I received this evening on public opinon in this matter. It is very simple to remedy, and that is for Ms. Marquez to simply provide the documents in question to disprove all nay sayers. Also as a professed Christian I beleve in God's love and I am seeing very littel of if from my fellow Christians. I think WWJD (what would Jesus do) and instead of intolerance and fear of elementary cross dressing, cross gender children, he would be spreading love of our father for all his children. Jesus reached so many confused souls with his undying love and sacrifice for all of us.