Ryan Williams, an irrigation-company marketing manager and the appointed incumbent, is running for the Area 4 seat on the Escondido Union High 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 Williams told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I’m running to ensure our district remains focused on what truly matters: preparing students for success beyond high school without letting politics distract from that goal. Ryan Williams (Courtesy Ryan Williams) With two years of experience as an appointed trustee, I’ve developed a strong understanding of how our board can work more effectively to serve our students and community. I hold a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and the California School Boards Association’s Masters in Governance (training), which gives me a solid foundation in governance and education policy. As a parent of four children preparing to enter the district, I’m deeply invested in ensuring our schools are the best they can be. I bring a combination of experience, critical thinking and a willingness to ask tough questions. My focus is on transparency, fiscal responsibility and creating an environment where all students are supported in achieving their full potential. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? The most critical issue facing our district is raising academic achievement while managing limited funding and resource allocation. We must provide quality education while navigating budget constraints that challenge our ability to offer students the resources they need to succeed. Our priority should be on improving student outcomes, particularly post-high school readiness, by enhancing college preparatory programs, expanding vocational pathways and providing robust support for students needing extra assistance. In tandem, we need to focus on teacher retention and professional development, as they are essential to creating a high-quality educational experience. Equally important is maintaining transparency and accountability within the board, ensuring that our spending reflects the district’s commitment to improving student outcomes. By balancing our budget effectively and prioritizing academic performance, we can address this challenge head-on and give our students the tools they need for a successful future. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? First, I want to improve academic performance by expanding resources for students of all levels, ensuring every student is prepared for college, trade schools or entering the workforce. Second, I will advocate for fiscal transparency and accountability to ensure every dollar spent directly benefits student achievement. Our district must prioritize spending on initiatives that have a proven track record of success. Third, I would focus on strengthening community engagement by fostering open dialogue between parents, teachers and the board. Input from all stakeholders is essential to building a district that reflects our community’s values while driving positive educational outcomes. I aim to create a culture of collaboration that breaks down silos and ensures everyone — teachers, parents, and students — feels heard. These three priorities will help ensure our district is well positioned to give every student the education they deserve. 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 would be to ensure transparency and prioritize spending on programs that directly impact student success. I believe in a zero-based budgeting approach, where we start each year by evaluating the effectiveness of every dollar spent, ensuring that our funding goes to the programs and services that produce the highest educational outcomes. If the district faced a budget shortfall, I would work closely with the board and district staff to evaluate which programs could be streamlined or consolidated without compromising the quality of education. I would also seek community input to explore creative solutions, such as partnerships with local businesses or seeking additional grants, to bridge funding gaps. The key is to remain flexible while keeping student outcomes as the top priority, even in times of financial difficulty, ensuring we meet the district’s academic goals. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? Raising student academic achievement requires a multifaceted approach. First, we must support our teachers by providing ongoing professional development and resources, ensuring they have the tools needed to engage students effectively. Second, we need to implement targeted interventions for students who are falling behind, including tutoring, after-school programs and individualized learning plans. Third, expanding our career and technical education programs will help students discover paths to success, whether through college, trade schools or the workforce. As a board member, I would advocate for data-driven decision-making, ensuring that programs we invest in produce measurable results in improving academic performance. Collaboration with parents and community partners is also essential to create a culture that values education. By focusing on these areas, we can elevate student achievement and give all students the opportunity to reach their full potential. 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 the school curriculum and library offerings should be well-rounded, diverse and aligned with the district’s educational goals. Our focus should be on improving post-high school readiness by enhancing college preparatory programs and expanding vocational pathways. As long as the material aligns with these goals, I see no need for removal unless the content is harmful, inappropriate or not conducive to academic growth. Education should encourage critical thinking, expose students to different perspectives and prepare them for a diverse world. The priority should be on ensuring all content is age-appropriate, relevant and valuable in fostering both academic and personal growth. Rather than removing content, we should work collaboratively with educators, parents and the community to assess our offerings and ensure they meet students’ needs. Transparency in curriculum choices and giving parents a voice in these decisions is essential to maintaining trust between the district and the community. 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 often stems from a combination of factors, including disengagement, mental health issues and socio-economic challenges. Many students face barriers that prevent them from attending school regularly, whether it’s family responsibilities, lack of transportation or struggles with academics. To address this, the district needs to focus on creating an environment where students feel engaged and supported. I would advocate for increased access to counseling and mental health services, as well as early intervention programs that identify at-risk students and provide them with the necessary support. Building strong relationships between schools, families and community organizations is also essential to addressing the root causes of absenteeism. Additionally, I would support initiatives that make learning more relevant and engaging to students, such as project-based learning and career-focused programs, to give students a reason to be excited about coming to school every day. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? Parents play a vital role in their child’s development and well-being, and open communication between schools and families is essential. Parents have the right to be informed about significant changes in their child’s life, as they are often best equipped to provide support, guidance and care. However, it is also critical that the safety and emotional well-being of the student remain a priority. If a student expresses concerns about their safety or fears negative repercussions, schools should work closely with both the student and the family to navigate the situation sensitively. Ultimately, fostering a supportive, open dialogue between schools, students and parents ensures that every student is cared for, understood and supported in their journey toward self-discovery while maintaining a safe learning environment.