Fitzhugh “Fitz” Lee, a commercial airline pilot and retired Navy captain, is running for the Coronado 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 Lee told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? A wise person once said, “The philosophy in the classroom in one generation becomes the philosophy of government in the next.” Today’s polarized discourse and dysfunctional government affirm this truth. But we don’t have to accept this; we can do better. That’s why I’m running. Fitzhugh “Fitz” Lee (Courtesy Fitz Lee) As a retired Navy captain, squadron commander, little league coach and board member for youth-focused nonprofits, I bring the leadership needed to address CUSD’s challenges. My wife and I have raised three boys in CUSD and have served our community for over 13 years. Along with budget shortfalls, academic challenges and reduced local control, parents are concerned about agenda-driven policies that contribute to declining enrollments and funding. We need someone who fosters critical thinking and civil discourse to inspire excellence in students, teachers and administrators. I believe I am that person and humbly ask for your support. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most important issue facing our school district is the looming budget shortfall. We are grappling with fluctuating enrollments, attendance, the needs of four school sites and complex state and federal reporting requirements. These challenges make it difficult to determine when we can transition to a “basic aid” funding model, potentially increasing district revenues by $8-12 million annually through local property taxes. With COVID relief funds depleted, we are using $7.5 million in reserve funds to stay afloat this year but still expect a $700,000 shortfall by 2026-27 — a forecast that includes a 1.07 percent salary increase for teachers (but they are requesting 10 percent). Continued financial losses for two out of three years could lead to county or state-mandated cuts. While switching to “basic aid” could add up to $8 million to our revenues, the transition is uncertain, currently projected for the 2027-28 school year. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? A balanced budget. Greater transparency between the CUSD district, students’ parents and community. Persuade my fellow trustees to enact policies and take actions that inspire academic and personal excellence for district students, teachers, administrators and employees. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? My approach will be data-driven, ensuring a balanced budget that maximizes positive outcomes for our students. With a projected deficit for the 2026-27 school year, we must make informed and strategic decisions in the years ahead. I have extensive experience managing complex budgets and personnel issues. As chief of staff for the Naval Aviation Enterprise Total Force Team, I led a cross-functional team responsible for human capital supply chain management for over 130,000 personnel. My team and I developed a quantitative, data-driven personnel distribution method that maximized mission readiness despite limited resources. This approach became a model across Naval Aviation and other Navy branches.  I would apply these skills to address our district shortfall, ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively to support our students and educators, providing them with the best opportunities for success. 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, I will advocate for programs and best practices proven to be effective. One of the most effective ways to increase student achievement is to bolster literacy efforts at all levels. Strong early readers excel across all subjects, including math, science and social studies. Literacy skills are foundational for learning; when students read fluently and comprehend texts, they better understand instructions, grasp new concepts and perform well academically. Beyond funded programs, mentorship is also vital. I have mentored young men in Coronado and seen firsthand how mentors can positively impact students both academically and socially. I’ve also observed my stepmom’s leadership in the “Take Stock in Children” program in Pensacola, Florida, which pairs students with volunteer mentors to help them graduate, pursue further education and build successful futures. Mentorship provides the support and resources students need to achieve these goals, making a profound difference in their lives. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? No single individual should decide what is taught in our schools or which books are in our libraries. However, I strongly support parental rights and believe our district must be transparent with parents, especially on these issues. Until recently, I would have rated our district poorly on transparency regarding library collections. That’s why I am proud of my efforts over the past eight months working with our CUSD superintendent, resulting in a program that allows parents to receive an email listing any books their child checks out from the library. As our superintendent stated, “We want to show our parents what books we have, demystify some of the information and make it easier to engage in conversations with their kids.” I will champion and improve upon this transparency. No books were banned or removed, but greater transparency for parents was achieved. A consensus solution to a contentious issue. What do you think is driving student absenteeism in your district, and what would you as a school board member do to reduce it? Understanding this issue is crucial since school enrollment is a primary factor in funding our district — and enrollments are declining. Average daily attendance is also down. I have requested data from the district to understand why, but they have not provided it. Anecdotally, I know of several cases where parents are frustrated with agenda-driven policies from Sacramento or even our district and are moving their children to private schools. Additionally, San Diego County’s School Attendance Review Board has historically been more consistent in holding students and parents accountable for truancy, contributing to lower attendance and enrollment. However, students come to school when they are happy and motivated to learn. We must focus on hiring and retaining exceptional teachers and administrators, offer engaging and relevant courses, strengthen extracurricular activities and partner with outside groups to provide real-life opportunities like auto shop, internships and mentoring. Let’s make school relevant and inspiring. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Absolutely, schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation changes at school. Parents have the primary responsibility for their child’s well-being and should be informed about significant developments in their child’s life, including matters of identity. Schools already have reporting requirements for issues of lesser significance, such as attendance, grades or even minor behavioral changes. A shift in gender identity or presentation is a profound matter that can impact a child’s emotional and mental health. Keeping parents in the loop enables them to provide the support and guidance their child may need. Open communication between schools and families is essential for fostering trust and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for students. By notifying parents, schools are reinforcing the partnership between educators and families in addressing the holistic needs of the child.