Joshua Tiller, who owns a Fallbrook pizzeria franchise, is running for the Area 4 seat on the Fallbrook 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 Tiller told us about his. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am running for Fallbrook Unified School District Board of Trustees area 4 because I want to be a voice of our community while giving support to our students and teachers as well as advocating for quality education, while closing any opportunity gaps within our education system as possible. Joshua Tiller (Cristy Sis) I’m a father of nine and a local business owner, which requires skills such as financial management, strategic planning and problem-solving, all of which are critical to overseeing a school district. I also understand the importance of collaboration, innovation and accountability. What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? On Jan. 1, 2025, AB 1955 will take effect. We need to be having conversations about this law with our teachers and communities involved. We need to ensure we continue to have complete transparency between teachers and families. We do not need to add this extra responsibility or pressure to our teachers on top of all the current things they have on their plate. I believe the role of the board of trustees is to represent the community and listen to the concerns of parents, teachers and students. I will work to ensure that our schools are safe and inclusive places for all students, while respecting the rights and values of families. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? Shorten any opportunity gaps that currently exist in Fallbrook Unified High School District. Provide more support and opportunities to our teachers and students. Effective bond management. What would your approach be to district budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? First, I would identify our current district’s needs, with input from our schools leaders, teachers and community. I would invest the time to look into historical budgeting data and compare to student outcomes to identify trends and opportunities to improve student growth. If there was a shortfall, I would conduct a financial audit and look for any mistakes or programs that are underperforming and could be reduced or eliminated. Then I would explore any new opportunities for new revenue sources, grants or partnerships that could help cover the shortfall. How should your school district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? Our district should focus on high-quality instruction and putting some equity into academic resources. As a board member, I would be an advocate for investing in professional development to increase our teachers’ effectiveness, as well as ensuring the adoption of evidence-based (policies) that address any opportunity gaps in our education system for diverse student needs. Additionally, I would push for equitable resource allocation to ensure schools with high-need students receive the necessary funding to have access to technology and advanced coursework, while receiving input from our community on their students’ needs and goals. Do you think anything currently offered in school curricula or libraries should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? As a father of nine, I am deeply concerned about the content available in our high school’s library, particularly (the possibility of) books containing graphic pornography and pedophilia. At such a young and impressionable age, it is crucial that our children are not exposed to this kind of material without proper guidance. It is my firm belief that we need to reevaluate the current library selection to ensure it aligns with the development and moral needs of our students. While education and exposure to different perspectives are important, there must be a balance that respects parental responsibility. I want to ensure that my children have access to age-appropriate materials, and I believe it is my duty as a parent to guide them through sensitive topics. The presence of these books directly undermines that responsibility. What do you think is driving student absenteeism in your district, and what would you as a school board member do to reduce it? Absenteeism is driven by many factors like mental health, family instability, bullying, lack of engagement or even transportation issues. If elected, I would prioritize mental health resources and increasing access to counselors. I would also promote family support services through partnerships with local organizations to help address any transportation or housing challenges. Last, I would help promote a positive, inclusive school environment to help encourage students to attend regularly, leading to overall improvements in attendance and engagement. Do you think schools should notify parents if their child’s gender identity or presentation at school changes? Why or why not? There should be full transparency between teachers and families to ensure a strong partnership in our children’s education. When schools withhold important information, it fosters distrust and weakens parental involvement in critical aspects of our children’s lives. By keeping families informed, it will empower parents to guide their children according to their values. Additionally, placing the responsibility of navigating these difficult topics solely on our teachers adds an unnecessary burden to their already demanding roles. Teachers are educators, not the primary moral guide for children, and expecting them to address such complex issues alone is unfair. Schools and parents must work together with transparency and respect to ensure that our children receive the education they need while upholding the values of their families.