The Coast News has asked the candidates running for the San Marcos Unified School District Board of Trustees to participate in a questionnaire about their stances on local issues ahead of the November election.
The five-member board of trustees is elected by area and oversees the TK-12 school district, which has over 19,000 students across 19 schools.
In the Area A race, which represents the district’s southwest area, including portions of Carlsbad, incumbent Carlos Ulloa is running for re-election against parent and business owner Heidi Herrick.
The Area B race, representing San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills and Lake San Marcos, includes incumbent Sarah Ahmad and small business manager Brittany Bower. Area D incumbent Jaime Chamberlin is running against parent and business owner Lena Lauer Meum.
Ulloa, Chamberlin and Ahmad were all elected in 2020 and are running for their second term on the board.
All candidates besides Bower participated in the questionnaire. Emailed responses are outlined below.
Q: As a school board member, what strategies would you explore/implement to address declining enrollment in your district?
HERRICK: Understanding what factors are causing the decline is important, and then analyzing each of those factors to determine what we can learn and if there are action steps we can take to turn the trajectory around.
For example, what percentage of the decline is due to families choosing to homeschool or enroll in charter school vs. what percentage is due to families simply moving out of the district or aging out of the district? If we are seeing a trend in families choosing charter schools, private schools or homeschooling, then let’s communicate with those families and seek to understand how we missed the mark for their individual needs and reflect on if/how we might react.
ULLOA: The school board’s role is to ensure that school districts are responsive to their communities’ values, beliefs and priorities. SMUSD is ranked fifth out of 42 school districts in San Diego. The board works together on behalf of the students, families, teachers and staff of SMUSD to provide a quality education and learning experience for every student.
Each school identifies in their Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals, actions and resources to leverage the needs of the students on their campus and create an environment where kids want to learn and thrive. With our superintendent and community, we developed our Portrait of a Graduate to create a vision for the priorities we have for all learners in SMUSD. We also have fostered a strong partnership with the City of San Marcos to strengthen the services we provide for the mental health needs of our students.
CHAMBERLIN: To address declining enrollment, I/we focus on enhancing academic programs, community engagement, and modernizing facilities. Expanding options like STEM, arts, and career and technical education (CTE) attract families seeking innovative learning opportunities.
Strengthening student support services, such as mental health resources and extracurriculars, helps foster a well-rounded educational experience. Partnering with local businesses and organizations for internships or mentorships can strengthen community ties while offering students real-world experience.
Modernizing school buildings and integrating up-to-date technology ensures that our schools are competitive and equipped for the future. Engaging parents through feedback and collaboration builds trust and fosters stronger connections between families and the district. Finally, marketing the district’s successes and unique offerings will help retain and attract new students, reversing the trend of declining enrollment. Together, these strategies can create a more appealing and vibrant district.
LAUER MEUM: Engaging students in their education and engaging families in the mission of our district is essential. Declining enrollment has been an issue for our district for several years. Though I understand the district has tried to implement a strategy to open up enrollment to students from outside districts, I don’t believe that is the best answer.
We need to examine why students are leaving. I recommend starting by reaching out to families that have left the district but still live in the area to gather their feedback. Moving forward, I suggest that the board do a better job of listening to the community’s concerns to ensure that this is the best district for our students and that families trust SMUSD with their children.
AHMAD: Declining student enrollment reduces funding and resources, impacting the quality of education and the sustainability of programs. School districts throughout California are in decline for a variety of reasons. Our decline here in San Marcos has not been as steep as in other districts, and I believe this is because of the innovative programs and pathways available to all SMUSD students.
In addition, as a district, we regularly communicate our impact and value and provide an exceptional educational experience. If I am re-elected, I will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to retain and attract new students to our destination district by:
-Developing new and improved academic programs, extracurricular activities, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways
– Increasing outreach efforts to new students and families by showcasing the benefits and opportunities available within our district
Q: As a school board official, what would you do to successfully implement the state’s ethnic studies guidelines for high schools while involving the community in the process?
HERRICK: The key phrase here is “involving the community in the process.” Parents and the broader community are key stakeholders in these decisions and their input is essential around critical and sensitive topics like ethnic studies.
The district and the school board must be very intentional about creating focus groups, including parents and community members from all perspectives, before implementation. After implementation, we need to create a feedback loop so that we are able to monitor how the curriculum is landing with our students and families. We need to be open to feedback and not put blinders on.
ULLOA: Starting with the class of 2030, students will be required to pass ethnic studies to graduate. SMUSD has been piloting ethnic studies programs in all of our high schools and will continue to offer courses that meet this state graduation requirement.
Ethnic studies is being taught by high school history/social science teachers throughout our state, including San Marcos. Our secondary social studies teachers in SMUSD have been piloting programs that integrate history within the language arts context to offer a variety of A-G and AP courses to our students. Partnering with our local universities and the California Department of Education to provide ethnic studies courses for our secondary teachers will be critical in building out our ethnic studies course offerings.
SMUSD needs to work with our local County Office of Education and pull in experts to create a culturally relevant and inclusive ethnic studies curriculum for our SMUSD students.
CHAMBERLIN: To successfully implement the state’s ethnic studies guidelines in high schools, I would emphasize community involvement and thoughtful preparation. First, I would create a community advisory committee composed of parents, teachers, students, and local cultural leaders to provide feedback and ensure diverse perspectives are represented. This group would guide how the curriculum aligns with local values and demographics.
Next, I’d ensure teacher training by offering professional development programs that help educators teach ethnic studies effectively and sensitively. The curriculum should reflect both state guidelines and the specific histories of our community, fostering inclusivity and engagement. Finally, I’d maintain clear communication with regular updates to the community about progress, ensuring transparency and building trust. Involving the community from the start not only improves the quality of the curriculum but also promotes unity and understanding in the district.
LAUER MEUM: I believe the district should be open to feedback and ideas from parents and the community regarding the new curriculum. I believe board members should visit campus, school events, and allow students to share ideas. With these open communication channels, we can have the best possibility for buy-in and engagement with the new curriculum.
AHMAD: Successfully implementing the state’s ethnic studies guidelines requires transparency, collaboration, and community engagement. As a board member, I will ensure a thoughtful, inclusive approach that involves students, parents, teachers, and the broader community. My goal is to create a curriculum that fosters understanding and celebrates diversity while reflecting the unique needs and values of San Marcos. To achieve this, I support establishing advisory committees to guide implementation and providing teachers with the training they need.
As the only parent candidate in Area B, I am committed to making sure family voices are central in this process. A special aspect of our district is its deep community connections, with many staff being SMUSD alumni. This will be a key focus in our ethnic studies courses, emphasizing students’ roles within the local community, with San Marcos families and community members actively shaping this vision.
Q: What is your stance on AB 1955, which prohibits school districts from adopting or enforcing policies that would require employees to disclose information about a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to anyone without the student’s permission?
HERRICK: The state has recently passed legislation on this issue, and it is no longer up to individual school districts. However, I am supportive of the district handling these sensitive issues in a way that keeps parents involved and engaged. I think we can all agree that the ultimate goal is for families to have the privacy and respect to navigate these changes as families.
Kids should not be on an island navigating life-changing decisions unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances. If there are unique and serious concerns then certainly we need to handle the situation with extreme care.
ULLOA: Public schools are charged with providing a safe and welcoming school environment and a high-quality education for every student. California is the first state to explicitly prohibit forced outing policies in schools. LGBTQ+ students and their families deserve to decide on their own terms when and how to have conversations about coming out.
By preventing undue interventions in personal family matters, AB 1955 ensures private and consensual discussions between students and their parents. AB 1955 is a major step in protecting the privacy of our students and keeping the focus of our educators on providing the best possible education that they can for all students.
CHAMBERLIN: My stance on AB 1955 would balance the need to protect student privacy with ensuring a supportive school environment. On one hand, I support the intent of AB 1955 in safeguarding students’ rights to privacy, especially in sensitive matters like sexual orientation and gender identity. Schools should be safe spaces where students feel secure expressing their identities without fear of being outed to parents or others without their consent.
This helps protect students, particularly those who may not feel safe at home, from potential emotional or physical harm. On the other hand, it’s important to ensure that schools are also a place where open communication with families is encouraged when appropriate, especially in circumstances where a student may need support. Finding a balance between student privacy and ensuring student well-being is key.
LAUER MEUM: This past July, Governor Newsom signed a law to stop school districts from requiring staff to notify parents of their child’s gender identification change. Though it can no longer be a requirement in this state, I believe each situation needs to be reviewed and addressed individually. A process should be in place to speak with the student to understand their comfort level and any concerns for their safety. As a parent, I am not comfortable with a policy that encourages or requires secrecy from families.
AHMAD: Since AB 1955 is a state-level law, much of this is out of the school board’s hands. However, I believe that a strong partnership between schools and families is essential for achieving the best outcomes for our children. Parents must be actively involved in their children’s education to ensure their success.
Excluding parents undermines our ability to provide the best possible support for students. However, I also acknowledge that there may be exceptional cases where individual circumstances require special consideration to ensure the well-being and safety of students. As a parent and board member, every child’s health and safety (physical and mental) is crucially important to me.
Q: What are ways you can save taxpayer dollars and/or raise revenue for the district as a school board official?
HERRICK: We need to diagnose the declining enrollment per the previous question above. Getting our enrollment back up to our baseline will have an immediate impact on our district as a whole. Secondly, we need to take a closer look at our labor agreements and ensure we have a
competitive bidding process with our contractors, especially in light of JJ on the ballot. Thirdly, we need to look at the ROI of our support services and trim any of them that aren’t adding value to our students & teachers.
ULLOA: Our board is committed to seeking additional state, federal and local funds that meet the needs of our students. Let’s Face It Together is a perfect example of SMUSD partnering with the City of San Marcos to expand mental health services to benefit our students. Partnering with our local city, the local universities, the San Diego County Office of Education and the California Department of Education will expand the circle and safety net of services for our students.
As a school board, we are legally required to maintain a reserve of no less than 3% and no more than 10%. In the last three years, we have gone from deficit spending with a negative budget certification to a positive budget certification.
CHAMBERLIN: This can be achieved through smart, cost-effective strategies. SMUSD has already approved energy-efficient upgrades like LED lighting and solar panels, which have lowered utility costs in the long term; this has been implemented at all sites. SMUSD has consolidated administrative services across schools. To raise revenue, the district pursues grants from state and federal sources to fund special programs and infrastructure improvements.
Additionally, SMUSD has public-private partnerships with local businesses to bring in extra funding through sponsorships or collaborative programs. SMUSD has also opened our schools to boost enrollment. SMUSD is actively reaching out to our broader community to enroll in our schools and allowing parents choice as to what school they would like their child to attend beyond their home school.
Renting out school facilities during off-hours to local groups and hosting paid after-school programs are creative ways to generate extra revenue while benefiting the community.
LAUER MEUM: Next year, our district will face tough budget decisions. I believe it is important to have a realistic, long-term plan for fiscal responsibility. One area where we can raise revenue was mentioned in the previous question, and that is by increasing enrollment through offering the highest-quality education. In terms of saving taxpayer dollars, the district needs to “live within our means” and avoid long-term expenses when we do not have continued funding confirmed.
AHMAD: As a board member, I prioritize finding cost-saving efficiencies and am open to exploring new revenue streams. It is crucial to streamline district operations and identify inefficiencies, including reducing administrative costs, optimizing energy use, and negotiating better deals to lower costs without compromising the education or services for our kids.
We have invested in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and energy-efficient building systems, to reduce long-term operational costs. Additionally, I am a big proponent of SMUSD forging partnerships with local businesses and other organizations. I am pursuing such options on my own time. We must recognize that the majority of our funding as a public school district is tied to student enrollment. By enhancing academic programs, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and extracurricular activities, the district can appeal to more families, increasing enrollment and funding from the state.
Q: If passed by voters in November, what are the top district projects you would like to see funded by the proposed $324 million school bond?
HERRICK: Should JJ pass, an exhaustive plan, including an oversight committee, has already been written. That said, considering there is $96 million available in state matching funds, I would push that we first submit applications to the state based on the qualifying criteria.
Woodland Park is our oldest school site, and it is in most need of repair. If we’re successful with the state, we’d be well-positioned to max out those matching funds. Secondly, I would call for a review of our project labor agreements. We’ve crafted the bond measure to keep the funds local. That’s great. If we can bolster our local economy by allowing more local contractors to bid competitively for these construction projects, it would be a win-win.
ULLOA: We have a very detailed facilities master plan that has been developed with input from our stakeholders. I think we have reached a consensus on each campus’s needs. Our oversight committee needs to review our facility master plan and prioritize immediate safety and security needs as well as long-term facility needs on all of our campuses.
One of Project JJ’s top goals is removing temporary classrooms that were never meant to be permanent. Upgrading the technology infrastructure on our campuses is also a priority of the proposed school bond.
CHAMBERLIN: 1) School infrastructure improvements. Knob Hill Elementary, Woodland Park, Paloma Elementary, Carrillo Elementary, and Twin Oaks High School all need portables removed and renovated; and 2) Across all sites, I would like to enhance safety, things like fencing, cameras, and keyless entry. All sites will also need technology integration and modernization.
LAUER MEUM: The survey that was sent out to families regarding this bond asked us to rate priorities in order of importance. I think it is important to look at the feedback from the community to see what is most important to them since it is their money. Personally, my top priorities would be related to ensuring we cultivate safe, secure, and healthy learning environments on campus. Therefore, removing hazardous materials like mold, asbestos, and lead pipes from older school sites would be a priority.
Upgrading schools to ensure that they meet health and safety codes should already be in the budget, and it is concerning that a bond is needed to cover these expenses. I would also want to prioritize campus safety improvements, including fencing, surveillance, training, and equipment.
AHMAD: Measure JJ is solely for upgrading and renovating our existing SMUSD facilities. My top two initiatives are:
School Safety: All of our schools can use some investment to ensure that we are using the latest and best technology to ensure that our schools are as safe.
Our older local schools need significant upgrades and repairs to meet modern safety and academic standards. These include removing hazardous materials, faulty or deteriorating wiring, roofs, plumbing, aging safety systems, and instructional technology. For example, the JJ fund will replace 146 portable classrooms at Woodland Park Middle School.
It is important to note that California doesn’t fund schools to make many of the repairs SMUSD needs. Additionally, before this board convened in January 2021, SMUSD was in a financial deficit; our facilities were put on the back burner. So we are playing catch-up, but we have to because our kids’ safety depends on it.
