Tim Dougherty, a supply-chain executive at a home-goods store, is running for the Area A seat on the Poway 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 Dougherty told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I’m running for school board because, as a parent with children in the district, I want to ensure every child gets the best education possible. Having been deeply involved in our schools — as the chairperson of Park Village Elementary’s site council and PTA president — I’ve seen both the amazing things our district offers and the areas where we need to improve. Courtesy Tim DoughertyTrustee Area A Candidate Tim Dougherty (Courtesy Tim Dougherty) Professionally, my background in engineering and executive roles has given me experience in budgeting, problem-solving and leadership, which I believe are crucial skills as we face some tough financial challenges. But more than that, I come from a family dedicated to public service and education. My time as a coach and educator has cultivated my passion for helping students succeed. I’m ready to bring this experience to the school board and be an advocate for our students and community. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? Right now, unfortunately, the biggest challenge our district faces is a significant budget shortfall. We’re projected to lose $86 million from 2023 through 2027, and that creates tough choices regarding what we can fund and where we need to make cuts. This financial strain affects everything, from staffing and buses to student programs. My priority is to find ways to address these issues without sacrificing the quality of education. I believe in being strategic with our budget, exploring cost-saving measures and finding additional funding sources where we can. We need to make sure every dollar spent is directly benefiting our students, while also being transparent with the community about how we’re managing these challenges. It’s not just about balancing the budget — it’s about doing so while still giving the students the best education possible. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Refocus on academic excellence: I want to ensure that our students are getting the best education possible by refocusing on academics without distractions in the classroom. This includes improving academic programs, updating our curriculum, supporting teacher development and fostering a culture where academic success is the priority. Strengthen fiscal management: It’s crucial that we make smart financial decisions. I’ll focus on developing a balanced budget, addressing any shortfalls and ensuring that funds go where they’re needed most — supporting our students and maintaining essential programs. Promote safety, wellness and physical fitness: Keeping our students safe, healthy and active is a top priority. I want to expand initiatives that focus on emotional wellness by involving families, while also promoting physical fitness through sports and activities. When students are physically and emotionally engaged, they’re better equipped to thrive in and out of the classroom. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? If we’re going to tackle the district’s budget shortfall — which is projected to be $86 million from 2023 through 2027 — we need to be strategic and transparent. My approach would involve starting from the ground up, taking a hard look at all spending to identify where we can be more efficient. We can’t afford to waste resources, so I’d focus on cutting unnecessary costs without sacrificing the programs and services that really matter to the students. With my background in supply-chain management, I’ve managed large budgets before, and I know how to prioritize spending while staying accountable. Keeping open lines of communication with the community and being clear about our financial plans is key. It’s about making smart decisions that protect the student’s education, even when times are tough. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? To improve academic achievement, we need targeted interventions for schools and student groups that are falling behind. Using data to identify specific needs allows us to focus on the right areas. I believe in investing in our teachers through professional development, while ensuring it doesn’t take away from valuable class time. Additionally, retaining quality teachers and leadership is key to creating a stable, consistent learning environment, where students feel supported and can thrive. High turnover disrupts this stability, so retention is crucial. We also need to refocus on core learning, making sure that foundational skills and knowledge are prioritized. By focusing on teacher development, retention and refocusing on essential learning, we can help all students excel and reach their potential. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? Yes, I believe some materials in our school curricula and libraries need to be reviewed to ensure they align with district policies and community values. Poway Unified’s Regulation 6163.1 emphasizes that library materials must support the educational program and be age-appropriate. Specifically, graphic novels and other materials shouldn’t contain explicit images of violence, sex or sexual acts. There are some books currently in our libraries that, in my opinion, do not pass the test of literary merit and should be reconsidered. While the district has policies for evaluating curriculum, deviations from approved materials can sometimes occur. It’s essential that all resources reflect the district’s educational goals. As a board member, I would advocate for regular and transparent reviews to ensure that all instructional materials meet these standards and are appropriate for students. What do you think is driving student absenteeism in your district, and what would you as a school board member do to reduce it? A mix of factors is contributing to student absenteeism, including health issues, family struggles and a change in attitudes toward school, especially after COVID. Many families are still facing challenges from the pandemic, making it harder for students to attend regularly. On top of that, cutting school bus routes has made it even more difficult for some families to get their kids to school, especially in our larger district. As a school board member, I would work on re-engaging families by emphasizing the importance of attendance and offering support where it’s needed. I’d also push for targeted interventions, like early warning systems, to catch potential attendance issues before they become a problem. The holiday calendar could also be refined to make things easier for parents. By supporting students and their families more proactively, we can help reduce absenteeism and keep students in school where they belong. 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 changes at school. Parental rights are essential, and parents deserve to know about important changes in their child’s life. Currently, according to PUSD’s Regulation 5145.32, students or their parents can initiate a change in gender identity, and schools are responsible for making accommodations like using preferred names, pronouns and facilities. However, parents should still be informed, especially for younger children who may not fully understand the process or need extra support. Keeping parents in the loop allows them to offer guidance and support in line with their family’s values. With AB 1955 still in progress, it’s important to monitor how it affects school policies, but open communication between schools and families should always be a priority.