Jaime Chamberlin, a substitute teacher and current board member, is running for re-election to the Area D seat on the San Marcos Unified 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 Chamberlin told us about hers. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I’m running for school board because I’m deeply committed to improving the quality of education in our district and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. I believe that strong public schools are the foundation of a thriving community, and I’m passionate about addressing the challenges our schools face, from academic achievement to student well-being. Jaime Chamberlin (San Marcos Unified School District) What makes me a good candidate is my combination of experience, dedication and a collaborative approach. I bring a background in education and community service, which has given me a deep understanding of the issues impacting our schools. I’m a strong advocate for students, teachers and parents, and I’m committed to listening to all voices in our community. My focus is on creating equitable opportunities, supporting teachers and fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all students. I’m ready to work tirelessly to ensure our schools meet the needs of every child. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most important issue currently facing our school district is declining enrollment, which directly impacts our funding. As a district that is not Title I, we rely heavily on maximizing every dollar to support our schools. This financial challenge requires us to make strategic and sound financial decisions to maintain the district’s health while ensuring that our students and staff have the resources they need to succeed. To address this, I would, and do, focus on finding innovative ways to attract and retain students, such as enhancing academic programs, expanding extracurricular activities and improving school facilities. Additionally, I would work to identify cost-saving measures that do not compromise the quality of education or essential services. My goal is to ensure that we continue to offer a high-quality education and support our staff, even in the face of financial constraints. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Navigating this year’s low COLA without classroom disruption: My first goal is to ensure that the district successfully manages the challenges posed by this year’s low cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) without disrupting classroom instruction or vital programs. I will work closely with district leadership to identify cost-saving measures that protect the quality of education and maintain essential services for students. Middle school redesign: I will prioritize the redesign of our middle schools to better meet the developmental and academic needs of our students. This includes modernizing curricula, improving school facilities and fostering a learning environment that supports both academic achievement and social-emotional growth. Passing Bond JJ and revamping our schools: Passing Bond JJ is critical for the future of our district. I will work to ensure its passage so we can rebuild and modernize some of our oldest schools, giving all students access to state-of-the-art facilities and technology. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? My approach to district budget planning and spending is proactive, strategic, and collaborative. Recognizing that this year’s COLA will be low, we’ve been monitoring and preparing for potential financial challenges. We’ve built strong relationships with our unions, fostering open lines of communication to ensure that any necessary adjustments are made with transparency and cooperation. To mitigate the impact of declining enrollment, we’ve opened our district to inter-district transfers, helping to stabilize funding. We’ve also conducted thorough reviews of all departments, making cuts where necessary to maintain financial health without compromising educational quality. Additionally, we’ve hired a highly skilled CFO who plays a key role in our financial planning. If our district faced a shortfall, we would continue to avoid surprises by thinking ahead and planning for all possible scenarios. This approach ensures that we can adapt and make informed decisions to protect our students and staff while maintaining fiscal responsibility. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? To raise student academic achievement, I would focus on enhancing teacher support, early interventions and curriculum development. By investing in professional development, we empower teachers to deliver high-quality instruction tailored to diverse learning needs. Expanding early intervention programs will ensure struggling students receive timely support through tutoring and personalized learning plans. I also advocate for a rigorous, inclusive curriculum that prepares students for future challenges, with an emphasis on critical thinking and digital literacy. Engaging families and the community is essential, so I would promote initiatives that foster collaboration between schools and local organizations. Finally, leveraging data and technology will allow us to make informed decisions and personalize learning experiences, ensuring that every student has the opportunity 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? I believe that our school curricula and libraries should reflect diverse perspectives and provide a comprehensive education. I do not support removing materials simply because they challenge certain viewpoints or are uncomfortable to some. Education is about fostering critical thinking, exposing students to a wide range of ideas and preparing them for a complex world. However, I do believe in regularly reviewing our curricula and library resources to ensure they are age-appropriate, factually accurate and align with educational goals. If materials are found to be outdated, misleading or inappropriate for certain age groups, they should be reconsidered. This review process should be transparent, involving educators, parents and community members, to ensure that any decisions made are in the best interest of our students’ learning and 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 in our district is driven by a combination of factors, including socio-economic challenges, mental health issues, disengagement from school and a lack of access to reliable transportation. As a school board member, we have and will continue addressing absenteeism by identifying the root causes through data analysis and direct feedback from students, parents and educators. As a board we advocate for the expansion of support services, such as school counseling, mental health resources and family outreach programs, to address these underlying issues. As a board we have successfully brought back buses to all elementary and middle schools, providing our students with reliable transportation as well as reducing traffic for our community members. Additionally, I promote initiatives that engage students more deeply in their education, such as mentorship programs, after-school activities and personalized learning opportunities, to make school a place where they feel valued and motivated to attend regularly Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? This is a complex and sensitive issue that requires balancing the rights and wellbeing of the student with the role of parents in their child’s life. I believe schools should approach this matter with care, prioritizing the student’s safety, mental health and privacy. If a student’s gender identity or presentation changes at school, it’s crucial to consider the student’s wishes and the potential impact on their wellbeing if this information is shared with parents. In some cases, students may not feel safe or ready to discuss their gender identity at home, and forcing disclosure could lead to harm. However, schools should also work to build open lines of communication between students and parents, encouraging a supportive environment at home. I would advocate for policies that allow students to make decisions about who to inform, with the guidance of trusted school counselors who can assess each situation individually.