Stephanie Cooter, a marketing manager, is running for the Area 3 seat on the Ramona Unified 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 Cooter told us about hers. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am running for the Ramona Unified School District board to bring practical, common-sense solutions to the challenges our schools face. As a lifelong resident, second-generation Ramona High graduate and parent of two boys, I am deeply committed to our community. My priorities include ensuring fiscal responsibility, protecting parental rights in education and fostering safe, healthy learning environments for all students. Courtesy Jason Holmes Photography(Courtesy Jason Holmes Photography) With a bachelor’s degree in political science and history and an MBA in marketing, I bring both academic and professional expertise. My involvement on the Ramona Community Campus Site Council, on the District Advisory Committee (DAC) and as president of Ramona Pony Baseball demonstrates my commitment to leadership and collaboration. I understand the unique needs of our district and believe my experience, combined with my passion for education, makes me a strong advocate for our students, families and educators. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most important issue currently facing our school district is ensuring fiscal responsibility while maintaining high-quality education. With limited resources and increasing demands, it is critical that we allocate funds efficiently and transparently to support student success. This includes addressing the needs of our students, protecting parental rights and ensuring our schools remain safe and conducive to learning. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Enhance fiscal responsibility: Implement transparent budgeting processes and cost-saving measures to ensure that resources are used effectively and align with district priorities. Strengthen parental rights and partnerships: Develop policies that encourage parent involvement and ensure that their voices are heard in the decision-making process. Promote safe and healthy learning environments: Expand mental health support, improve school safety and promote health and wellness programs to create a positive environment 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 approach to district budget planning and spending would focus on transparency, efficiency and stakeholder involvement. I would advocate for a thorough review of all expenditures, prioritizing investments that directly impact student learning and well-being. If faced with a budget shortfall, I would seek to identify non-essential spending that could be reduced or eliminated while exploring alternative revenue sources, such as grants and community partnerships. Additionally, I would engage the community in discussions to ensure that any decisions made reflect our collective priorities. 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, the district should focus on providing high-quality instruction, personalized learning opportunities and robust support systems for all students. As a school board member, I would advocate for professional development for teachers, investment in technology and resources that support differentiated learning and the expansion of after-school tutoring and enrichment programs. I would also push for close collaboration between teachers, parents and administrators to identify and address individual student needs. 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 school curricula and libraries should reflect the diverse needs and values of our community while upholding educational standards. Any decisions to remove content should be made carefully, with input from educators, parents and experts, ensuring that we are providing a balanced and comprehensive education. I do not support the removal of materials solely based on differing viewpoints; instead, I advocate for open dialogue and the inclusion of a broad range of perspectives. 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 may be driven by a variety of factors, including health issues, disengagement from school and personal or family challenges. As a school board member, I would support initiatives that address these underlying causes, such as improving access to mental health services, creating engaging and relevant curricula and working with families to address barriers to attendance. Additionally, I would advocate for early intervention programs to identify and support students at risk of chronic absenteeism. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Yes, I believe schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes. As a parent, I understand the importance of being informed about significant aspects of my child’s life, especially when it comes to their well-being and identity. Parents are essential partners in their child’s development, and open communication between schools and families is crucial. However, this notification should be handled sensitively and in a manner that prioritizes the student’s safety and emotional well-being, ensuring that they receive the support they need.