CARLSBAD — In an effort to help voters learn more about candidates ahead of the November election, The Coast News asked the four candidates running for two Carlsbad Unified School District board seats to participate in a questionnaire about their stances on local issues facing the district.
Jen Belnap, a Parent Teacher Association board member, will face teacher and parent Alison Emery in Trustee Area No. 2, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Laura Siaosi, a parent and volunteer, will compete against PTA secretary and businesswoman Ejehan Turker.
Three of the four candidates agreed to participate in the questionnaire and submitted responses via email. As of this report, Siaosi did not respond to several of The Coast News’ requests for participation.Â
As a school board member, what strategies or ways would you explore/implement to address declining enrollment in your district?
Belnap: We should first reach out to families who’ve left the district and ask them why. We lost many families due to prolonged school closures, and we should do our best to get them back. Some went to private schools, and others moved to homeschooling. Some families may have concerns with curriculum or support for special needs students. Until we survey those who’ve left, it’s all anecdotal.
After we obtain data, I would follow up with the families who left and work to give them reasons to return. To be successful in that endeavor, we need to demonstrate a commitment to living up to our mission of providing an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment.Â
Emery: Carlsbad has continually been a highly regarded and desirable district. The first step would be to continue our outstanding education and reputation as a highly effective school district. Our enrollment numbers have remained at a consistent level for the last several years. Currently, our funding is trending towards a Community Funded or Basic Aid model due to our rising property values and taxes.Â
As a teacher in the Solana Beach School District, I am very familiar with this funding model. I would ensure that we use the funds derived from our property taxes to directly benefit our students, therefore continuing to maintain that our district is highly sought after.Â
Turker: Various socio-economic factors influence declining enrollment. In order for schools to thrive, we must retain current students and attract new families through innovation, positive school climates and better marketing of CUSD programs. Public schools are fixed sites based on residency, but families today have increasing choices.
As education evolves, we must innovate from within and study how we can be more flexible with curricula or extracurriculars within our school sites while keeping tax dollars in the district. Increasing concerns about physical and mental safety also drive families to consider alternatives. Ensuring positive school climates where students feel connected and parents are satisfied with outcomes when they raise issues with administrators is important. CUSD already has many great programs.
We must make it easier for families to find information and promote success stories like the Career Technical Education program which strengthens community relationships and gives students real-work experience.Â
What is your stance on AB 1955? (The SAFETY Act prevents educators from being required to disclose information related to students’ sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression without the student’s consent.)
Belnap: Our federal and state constitutions both recognize parents’ rights to be involved in the upbringing of their children as well as the right to be informed of everything happening with their child at school. AB 1955 sends the wrong message to parents — that schools know their children better than parents do and might decide to keep secrets from parents regarding life-changing decisions about their children’s health and well-being. Parents have life-long relationships with their children, whereas educational relationships between adults and students can end with the close of a school year.
Parents know and want what is best for their children, and schools should seek to support families in every way possible. In the rare case where a student’s safety is a concern, laws exist to protect children, and school staff serve as mandatory reporters.Â
Emery: It is the duty of any school board member to uphold the state and federal laws, regardless of their personal views. It would be my duty to implement and support the law as it applies to our schools. Districts that have failed to do so have faced numerous lawsuits for their defiance of the state law. Â
As a result, funds that should be going into the classroom are spent on lawsuits that are entirely avoidable. We have seen this happen in districts such as Temecula, Chino Hills, and Rocklin. My goal is to maintain the stability of our schools as we strive towards excellence while upholding the state and federal laws that are in place. Â
Turker: Currently, in California, forced disclosure policies may conflict with the laws that protect students’ rights to privacy and safety. I will always follow the law and will not support policies that could lead to litigation or emotional harm to students. I firmly believe that taxpayer dollars are better spent in the classroom than on lawyers’ fees.
While parents should be informed about significant changes that affect their child’s well-being, some students may need time or support before discussing these issues. Teachers should not be placed in the position of managing personal family matters, which could lead to unpredictable outcomes and loss of trust – all of which negatively impact a student’s ability to learn.
As part of a comprehensive approach to mental health support, schools should provide trained counselors that can help students explore their identity and ideally, work with them to involve their parents in a supportive way.Â
What are ways you can save taxpayer dollars and/or raise revenue for the district as a school board official?
Belnap: The best way to increase revenue is to keep our property values up by improving our public schools! With the State currently in a budget deficit and CUSD switching to an unpredictable local funding source, remaining fiscally conservative is the best way to ensure we meet students’ needs. My opponent has advocated for draining down our reserves.
This is NOT the time for that. If we suddenly see an enrollment boost, we would have to absorb the costs of increased enrollment without an increase in funding. For raising revenue, we should continue to tap into the private sector for donations and utilize our partnerships with nonprofits, like the Carlsbad Education Foundation and (my personal favorite!) the PTA.
These sources provide millions for teachers, programs like robotics, and important partnering opportunities with our schools that can lead to career exploration, such as our connection with local companies like ViaSat and Thermo Fisher.Â
Emery: Considering our tax revenue is increasing, the goal of an effective board member would be to maintain a fiscally sound budget. I would encourage the district to look at innovative measures that can be implemented to reduce waste spending. If there are programs that are not being fully utilized, then they should be reconsidered or eliminated. Additionally, projects that have not been fully realized should be considered for their long-range financial viability.Â
For example, by replacing district gas vehicles with electric vehicles, the district could take this step of sustainability further and invest in solar-paneled parking lots. Along the same lines, the district could go further by creating central kitchens that are proven to reduce waste and provide cost-saving measures. Â
Turker: As CUSD transitions to basic aid funding, we are fortunate to have a reliable property tax base to cover recurring expenses like teacher and staff salaries. However, stability is not guaranteed, so we must always be prepared for unexpected shortfalls.
My budgeting approach will be student-centered spending so that resources directly benefit classrooms—covering everything from textbooks and supplies to technology and extracurricular activities. While maintaining a budget reserve is a good defense against potential shortfalls, I believe in spending reserves on thoughtful investments that meet the current needs of our students.
The board should rigorously evaluate data around programs and resources to ensure the effectiveness of both academic achievement and social-emotional learning. In addition to careful budgeting, I would continue creative partnerships with organizations like the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, which raises funds to enhance educational opportunities for CUSD students.Â
How do you plan to support marginalized voices in the district? Particularly non-English speakers?
Belnap: We have numerous programs focused on supporting our marginalized groups, from our English Learner Advisory Committees (ELAC and DELAC), a Community Advisory Committee (Focused on Special Education), a DEIB plan and our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), the latter of which requires funding tied to vulnerable subgroups. Our schools also have clubs that serve students from all different types of backgrounds.
However, the achievement gap is not shrinking, and many of our marginalized students do not perform as well as their peers and do not feel safe and welcome on campus. We need to look for evidence-based solutions to remedy this. I’ve seen our school sites foster inclusion by hosting events that are culturally significant to our non-English speakers. One of our elementary schools is hosting an ofrenda (look it up!) this October. This is a great example of how we can support and include other voices and cultures.Â
Emery: Carlsbad already has measures and practices in place to ensure belonging among our most marginalized groups. The Great Kindness Challenge originated within the school district and has become a national model for inclusion. Additionally, the current legislature is looking at introducing measures to include language education for younger students across the state. Carlsbad could and should be on the leading edge of such a plan, such as implementing a dual language program for our youngest students. Languages bridge division and create understanding.Â
Turker: This is a complex education issue requiring both short-term and long-term strategies to address disparities in student achievement. I grew up in a dual-language family – my parents obtained advanced degrees as non-native English speakers. Their success was tied to their command of the English language. This should be the priority – make sure that non-English speakers get the early intervention they need to achieve English proficiency and understand the instructional terms they need to know in order to learn.
Additionally, we must support educators by providing instructional materials that support ESL instruction and the requisite professional development for multilingual support. This also necessitates inclusive learning approaches that reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all students. Provided that funding can be managed, implementing more dual-immersion programs and resources will also enable long-term success. We can set ESL students up for success by tailoring instructional approaches to their needs.Â
Do you support rolling out TK to all four-year-olds as required by the state?
Belnap: The state requires that we provide TK to all families who request it. Our district provides TK now at three of our school sites to meet the demand. Should demand increase, we could be in a pickle because Universal TK is another unfunded mandate by the state.
Our district would have to absorb the costs of providing more teachers to accommodate more students without increased funding from the state. According to the San Diego County Office of Education website, it is unclear if TK is required for districts in our same funding model. In the future, if funding impacts our ability to provide TK, I would recommend limiting TK spots to families who have a demonstrated need.Â
Emery: As previously mentioned, I will always implement requirements and laws from the state government. However, I would advocate on behalf of the district to provide increased funding to provide for the full roll out of TK. Currently, the model is not fully equipped or provided for under the current district funding model of Basic Aid. Â
Turker: Both of my daughters attended TK at CUSD, and I was pleased with the opportunity they had to do so. As working parents, I had already enrolled them in private pre-schools, which set them up for a successful transition into the TK program. The opportunity to attend our local public school also resulted in significant cost savings for our family, even with aftercare they attended through CEF’s Kids Care program.
I also recognize that every family is unique, and a child’s readiness to attend TK is a personal decision, so I respect the choice to enroll or not, depending on their development. I support universal TK while recognizing the need to ensure that we set the program up for success. This means ensuring that CUSD receives adequate funding to provide appropriate facilities, highly qualified teachers and small enough classroom ratios that best support early education.Â