Kenia Peraza, a parent and community advocate, is running for a seat on the San Ysidro 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 Peraza told us about hers. Kenia Peraza (Courtesy Kenia Peraza) Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I’m running for school board to ensure every child receives a high-quality education and to support special education and bilingual programs. As a parent with children in San Ysidro schools, I understand the importance of strong parent partnerships and community involvement. My commitment to education, experience with district meetings and focus on traditions and values make me a strong candidate dedicated to serving our students and families effectively. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most important issue is ensuring equitable access to resources and support, particularly for special education and bilingual students. Addressing these disparities is crucial to providing every student with the support they need to succeed academically and socially. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Enhance special education: Improve funding and resources for special education services.Expand bilingual programs: Increase support for bilingual and dual-language programs.Boost parent engagement: Strengthen parent involvement and partnership in school decision-making. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? I would prioritize transparency and align spending with educational goals, focusing on core programs and critical areas. If faced with a budget shortfall, I’d seek additional grants, explore community fundraising and carefully assess non-essential expenditures to protect essential services. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? To raise academic achievement, we need evidence-based instructional practices, professional development for teachers and a rigorous, inclusive curriculum. As a board member, I’d support these initiatives, focus on social-emotional wellbeing and promote programs that offer targeted interventions and community support. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? I believe curricula and library materials should be comprehensive and inclusive within reasonable limits, with each book being age-appropriate to ensure clarity and prevent cognitive overload for the child. Instead of removing content, I’d ensure it represents diverse perspectives and supports critical thinking. Concerns about specific materials should be addressed through a review process involving input from educators, parents and community members to ensure that books are suitable and beneficial for the child’s development. 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 can stem from health issues, disengagement or family challenges. To reduce it, I’d support health services, after-school programs and mentorship opportunities. Creating a welcoming school environment and addressing broader issues like housing and transportation with community partnerships are also crucial. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Schools should approach this matter with sensitivity, balancing student privacy with family involvement. Decisions must involve parents’ explicit consent, prioritizing their child’s well-being. Communication should be collaborative, reflecting the crucial role of family engagement in the child’s mental health and education.