Manuel “Manny” Esparza, a veteran, retired construction business owner and incumbent board member, is running for re-election to 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 Esparza told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? As a proud parent of three boys, I have always been involved in my kids’ education. As a volunteer, I have participated in several school events throughout the years. I have also served as a school site counsel member many times before, during and after the pandemic. Manuel Esparza (Courtesy Manuel Esparza) I am also aware of a few obstacles the South Bay Union School District needs to overcome. I am committed to work with my fellow board members and to make decisions on what is best for our students. I am a firm believer that strong education builds strong communities. I am humbled by having been appointed to serve our South Bay Union School District in June of this year. I believe all students deserve a quality education. I also believe that teachers need parent support for a student to be successful throughout his /her educational goals. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? As a board member, the No. 1 issue in our school district is the budget. Our district is faced with making tough decisions. I will take all viewpoints into consideration. I will advocate to ensure the budget continues to fund programs and services to students. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? To be an effective board member, first I must listen to the parents, teachers, school principals superintendent and everyone involved in the education of our students about the issues affecting our students’ education and how we can solve it. Second, accountability, to ensure students get what they need. Third, keeping the community informed and empowering parents to be engaged. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? To keep our school system competitive with other school districts, I would put our students first. There are many school programs and teaching methods throughout the region, but we need to focus on our culturally diverse community and provide students with a solid foundation of our school vision and values. As a board member, I am not going to let (a budget shortfall) happen. I will work with the superintendent, the assistant superintendents and school principals and come up with a temporary plan without compromising our students’ education. It is imperative that our school district continue to operate regardless of any shortfall. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? As a board member, I would depend on students’ academic achievement report and evaluate as it becomes available. School program coordinators, teachers and principals will make any suggestions to improve the students’ academic achievement. Also, recognize those students who achieved their specific academic goals. I strongly believe parent involvement creates a sense of support not just for teachers but for students 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? As a recently appointed board member, I believe the old teaching internet programs such as “ST Math” and “Dream Box” were very efficient and educational. However, since the introduction of AI already being tough in our California school system, a better internet program was just introduced this school year by the South Bay Union School District called “I-Ready.” I am proud to say this educational program will create a better learning experience for our students in our district. What do you think is driving student absenteeism in your district, and what would you as a school board member do to reduce it? Absenteeism is a statewide problem. I would encourage all school principals to find ways to talk to the absentee student with the parent and find manageable solutions to get the students back in their classrooms. Lack of transportation, hardship, single parenting, homelessness and other situations can also be the main cause of absenteeism. Another way (to reduce absenteeism) that is by far my favorite is recognizing all those students at regular school meetings with an attendance certificate. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Our school system is a great learning environment. Our South Bay Union School District is a diverse community that I feel proud to be part of. I have attended many school activities for many years and never had a situation when a kindergarten or a sixth-grader student wanted to be called (differently) or change his/her gender identity. The students’ ages range from 5 to 12 years of age. I do not believe that any student in our school district will have this issue. Every parent should have the right to protect their children, and I should provide the right of the students’ education in a safe learning environment.