Lizbeth Becerra, a businesswoman and office assistant, is running for the short-term Area 4 seat on the South Bay Union 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 Becerra told us about hers. Lizbeth Becerra (Courtesy Lizbeth Becerra) Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am interested in the education of our kids, in helping teachers and our community. I am very active and focused on my goals, and I am willing to work hard for what is best for our kids, our teachers and our community. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? South Bay district is facing low enrollment. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? School consolidationBetter programs in our schoolsHelp teachers get more resources and help What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? Pay close attention to where the money is going and how we are spending it. I would talk to our community and board members to create a master plan. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? The district will have to read and study student scores and create a plan to see what programs are working and what programs need to be improved. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? No, we actually need more resources for teachers and students to get better and achieve 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? I think students are missing classes because both parents and students are not interested in school or classes. I think we need to add more art classes, more interactive classes that can help students learn and have fun at the same time. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Yes, because most part of the day kids are in school, and we need to have as much communication as we can.