My name is Marlon Taylor. I am a current Encinitas Union School District trustee and the parent of a student in SDUHSD. I understand how demanding school district leadership can be, which is why I keep coming back to one question: Why would the highest-paid school superintendent in San Diego County seek a seat on another district’s board?
The more I think about it, the less sense it makes.
I know David Miyashiro, and I know how demanding the superintendent job is, especially right now. David currently leads a district with 28 schools and more than 18,000 students. Taking on the additional responsibility of serving on the board of a district with 10 schools and more than 12,000 students raises some legitimate questions.
The larger issue for voters is whether someone can effectively serve as the full-time superintendent of one school district while helping govern another.
I’ve served as a school board member for six years. I enjoy the work. Visiting campuses. Attending student performances. Meeting with teachers, parents, and staff. Reading through policies and reports so I can make informed decisions at board meetings. It is rewarding work. It is also a lot of work, and it takes a lot of time.
Why take on another demanding public position that requires nights, meetings, preparation, and even more time?
Then there’s Dr. Anne Staffieri.
SDUHSD finally has some stability in the superintendent’s office. Dr. Staffieri has been in the position for more than two years, and her work and dedication have been appreciated. A school district superintendent reports to the board of trustees. Now imagine the superintendent of another school district sitting on that board, evaluating her performance, voting on her contract, weighing in on administrative decisions, and helping determine the district’s direction.
That is an unusual dynamic. And voters should seriously consider the complications that could come with that arrangement.
Being an effective superintendent is a demanding job. So is being an effective trustee. I have serious concerns about whether anyone can give both positions the time, preparation, and focus they deserve. And when those responsibilities compete, which district gets priority?
Here’s what we also know: David has applied twice to become superintendent of SDUHSD.
So I think it’s fair for voters to ask whether serving on the SDUHSD board is strictly about public service, or whether there is a professional motivation here as well. I can’t tell you what his motivation is. But given that history, I think the question is legitimate.
Ultimately, voters decide.
But after years of hard work to move SDUHSD beyond the controversies that consumed the district for far too long, I don’t understand why we would willingly introduce another complicated dynamic into its governance. David Miyashiro serving as superintendent of one district while sitting on the board governing another simply doesn’t add up for me.
As an SDUHSD parent, my answer is no.
Marlon Taylor is a trustee on the Encinitas Union School District board.
