Angelica Martinez, an educator in San Diego Unified School District, is running for the Area 2 seat on the Sweetwater Union High School District board of trustees. The San Diego Union-Tribune asked all the candidates running for school board in districts around San Diego County about their policies, plans and priorities. Here’s what Martinez told us about hers. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I’m running for the school board to ensure that every student in our district has access to a safe, supportive and equitable education. With 23 years of experience working in public schools and as a mother of three, I understand our students, teachers and families’ challenges. Angelica Martinez (Courtesy Angelica Martinez) My focus is reducing high suspension rates by addressing the root causes of behavioral issues, improving academic performance in English language arts and mathematics, and supporting teachers with the necessary resources to succeed. Having endured inequality myself, I’m deeply committed to advocating for students’ rights and ensuring no child is discriminated against based on their abilities or background. My experience, dedication and passion for educational equity make me the best candidate to represent our community and bring positive change to the Sweetwater Union High School District. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? A critical issue our district faces is ensuring student safety and addressing inequality among our diverse student population. Suspension rates are disproportionately higher among minority students, and academic performance falls below standards, as reported by the California Dashboard 2023. Moreover, the district has failed to conduct independent investigations when serious concerns arise — such as teachers allegedly putting their hands on students, as happened twice at Hilltop Middle School in 2023. Instead, they often opt to move administrators to other schools, as was the case following an incident where a teacher slapped my son on the back in December 2023. The incident was captured on surveillance video, yet the school refuses to release the footage, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Reevaluating school fund distribution: I would push for a review of district-level management roles, especially those less critical. If teachers are working with limited resources, it is essential that district management also streamline operations to allocate more funds directly to classrooms where they are needed most. Combating youth vaping: Vaping is a significant issue among our students. I would push for installing vaping alarms in school bathrooms to proactively address this problem, protect our student’s health and promote preventive programs starting at the middle school level. Ensuring accountability and integrity: I would work to restore integrity within the district by holding staff accountable for unprofessional conduct, particularly in student safety cases. It’s essential that our district prioritizes transparency and assurance for all students. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? My district budget planning and spending approach would prioritize transparency, efficiency and equity. I’d ensure that funds were allocated directly to areas that impact student learning and well-being, such as teacher support, student services and safety measures. If faced with a budget shortfall, I would first reassess and reduce non-essential administrative positions and overhead costs, ensuring that cuts do not affect classrooms. Additionally, I would explore alternative funding sources and work with the community to identify priorities, ensuring that every dollar spent directly benefits students and supports educational outcomes. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? The persistent achievement gap in our schools leaves many students unprepared for the demands of the Common Core standards, including higher-level thinking and analytical skills. To close this gap, we must differentiate instruction to meet diverse student needs, regularly monitor progress and implement early interventions for those falling behind. Creating an inclusive school environment that values diversity and provides ongoing professional development for teachers is essential to equipping all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, with the skills they need to succeed. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? Every household has its own set of values and concerns, which we should respect. Just as movies come with ratings to guide families in deciding what is appropriate to watch, the same principle applies to schools. For example, you wouldn’t allow kindergarteners to watch an R-rated movie because schools must follow specific guidelines to protect young minds. So what is the difference when it comes to books? While I am unaware of any particular books that should be removed from school circulation, it’s important to recognize that, just like movies, books should be reviewed to ensure they are age-appropriate and align with educational goals. What do you think is driving student absenteeism in your district, and what would you as a school board member do to reduce it? Student absenteeism in my district is primarily driven by academic underperformance and a lack of engagement in the classroom. Students who need help meeting their academic goals and feel disconnected from their learning environment are more likely to miss school. Additionally, a district that needs to prioritize students’ needs can contribute to this issue. As a school board member, I would advocate for targeted instruction to help students reach their academic goals and ensure that all schools are adequately funded. Providing the necessary resources and support can create more engaging and effective learning environments that motivate students to attend school and succeed. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Student safety should always be a top priority. As a parent, I believe trust and transparency are essential, which is why I feel it’s important to be informed if my child’s gender identity changed at school. Children go to school to learn and feel safe, and while there are rare cases where they may not feel secure at home or school, these instances are uncommon. In my case, my children’s well-being is my highest priority, and I would want to be the first to know if something was troubling them, because no one cares for them more than their father and I. Schools must follow their mandates and obligations, but the safety of students should always come first, with each case evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, all school staff are mandated reporters and have a responsibility to report any suspected child abuse.