Francisco Tamayo, the senior cybersecurity director for the county office of education, is running for Seat 4 on the Chula Vista Elementary School District board of trustees. He currently holds Seat 1. 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 Tamayo told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am running for the Chula Vista Elementary School Board to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to a high-quality education. Francisco Tamayo (Courtesy Francisco Tamayo) As a first-generation college graduate and parent in the district, I know firsthand the challenges many students face, particularly in underserved communities. I am committed to advocating for policies that create equitable opportunities for all students to succeed, from expanding social-emotional support to improving academic achievement. What makes me a strong candidate are my deep understanding of the needs of our diverse community, my experience as an engaged parent and my passion for ensuring that every student has the resources to reach their full potential. I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment on the board that prioritizes the success of our students, while also supporting teachers and staff who play a vital role in their education. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most important issue currently facing the Chula Vista Elementary School District is the learning loss and academic regression caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our students, particularly those from underserved communities, have been disproportionately impacted, and we are now facing the challenge of helping them recover and get back on track academically. The district must prioritize resources, interventions and support systems to close the achievement gaps that have widened over the past few years. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening academic programs, enhancing social-emotional support and providing professional development for teachers to meet students where they are. Additionally, ensuring that students have access to equitable learning environments and removing barriers to success are crucial. As we move forward, we must remain focused on our core mission of teaching and learning, while collaborating with families, educators and community partners to ensure every student can thrive. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? As a school board member, my top three priorities would be: Accelerating academic recovery: I will advocate for targeted interventions to address the learning loss from the pandemic. This includes expanding tutoring programs, investing in evidence-based literacy and math initiatives and providing additional resources for students struggling to meet grade-level standards. Ensuring all students catch up academically is crucial to our district’s success. Implementing and expanding community schools: I am a strong advocate for the community schools’ model, which integrates academics, health and social services and family engagement to create a holistic support system for students. Expanding community schools will help address the diverse needs of our students, particularly in underserved areas, and foster stronger connections between families, schools and the broader community. Enhancing social-emotional support: I will continue to push for increased social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health resources. By providing students with the emotional support and skills they need to thrive, we can create a well-rounded and supportive educational environment where students feel safe, respected and empowered to succeed. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? My approach would prioritize transparency, equity and strategic investments in programs that directly impact student success. The budget must reflect the needs of our students, with a focus on academic achievement, social-emotional support and equitable access to resources. I would work to ensure that funds are used efficiently and that spending is aligned with the district’s mission of improving student outcomes while supporting teachers and staff. In the event of a budget shortfall, I would take a collaborative approach, engaging the community, staff and stakeholders to determine priorities. Difficult decisions would need to be made, but I would work to ensure that cuts do not disproportionately impact our most vulnerable students or the quality of education. Additionally, I would explore alternative funding sources such as grants, public-private partnerships and state or federal resources to mitigate the impact. Fiscal responsibility must be balanced with the commitment to student success. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? The district should implement several key strategies: Adopt evidence-based interventions: Utilize data-driven methods to address learning gaps, such as expanding tutoring, personalized learning plans and targeted support for struggling students. Regular assessment of these interventions will help us meet student needs effectively. Invest in teacher support and professional development: Provide ongoing professional development to equip teachers with the latest instructional strategies and resources.  Expand enrichment opportunities: Develop programs that offer diverse enrichment activities, including after-school programs, STEM initiatives and arts education. These opportunities can boost student engagement and foster a lifelong love of learning. Enhance family and community engagement: Strengthen partnerships between schools, families and the community. Engaged families contribute significantly to student success. As a school board member, I would advocate for these strategies, ensure effective resource allocation and support successful initiatives to create an environment where every student can achieve their highest potential. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? No, I do not believe anything currently offered in our school curricula or libraries should be removed. Our curricula are carefully designed to be developmentally appropriate for each grade level and to meet educational standards. The materials and programs we offer are selected to support a comprehensive educational experience, and removing them would be premature without clear evidence of inappropriateness or ineffectiveness. Instead of removing resources, our focus should be on regularly evaluating and updating our curricula to ensure they remain relevant and effective in addressing the needs of our students. This involves incorporating new educational research, responding to feedback from educators and families and adapting to changes in the educational landscape. Ensuring access to a diverse range of materials and programs is vital for fostering an inclusive and well-rounded learning environment that supports both academic and personal growth. 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 can stem from various factors, including socioeconomic challenges, health issues and disengagement. To address and reduce absenteeism, I would: Identify root causes: Analyze absenteeism data and engage with students, families and teachers to pinpoint barriers such as health concerns or transportation issues. Enhance support services: Expand counseling, health services and family engagement programs to address underlying issues and provide needed support. Foster a positive school climate: Create an engaging and supportive environment that encourages attendance by promoting positive relationships and making learning relevant and enjoyable. Implement monitoring and intervention programs: Establish systems to closely monitor attendance and provide timely interventions for students with chronic absenteeism. As a school board member, I would advocate for these strategies to proactively address absenteeism and ensure students remain engaged and supported. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Balancing privacy with the need for parental involvement is critical, while always focusing on the child’s safety and emotional needs. The following should be considered: Privacy and respect: Even at the elementary level, children have the right to privacy regarding their gender identity. Schools should respect this privacy and not disclose changes without the child’s consent unless there are specific reasons to do so. Parental involvement: Given the developmental stage of elementary students, parental involvement is often crucial for their emotional support and well-being. If a child’s gender identity or presentation changes, schools should work with the child to determine the best way to involve their parents, always prioritizing the child’s safety and comfort. Supportive communication: Schools should foster open and supportive communication with both the child and their parents. They should provide resources and guidance to help parents understand and support their child’s gender identity in an age-appropriate manner.