Yvette Marie Acosta, a high school teacher in Escondido, is running for the Area 2 seat on the Palomar Community College District board of trustees. The San Diego Union-Tribune asked all the candidates running in community college districts around San Diego County about their policies, plans and priorities. Here’s what Acosta told us about hers. Yvette Marie Acosta (Courtesy Yvette Marie Acosta campaign) Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am running to bring my experience as a high school counselor to the Palomar Community College Board and have a broader platform where I can directly impact student success and well-being. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to fostering healthy learning environments, supporting students, and bridging gaps between schools and families. As a bilingual educator from an immigrant background, I have a deep understanding of the diverse needs of our community. My experience working with students, families, and educators has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to advocate for policies that prioritize mental health, accessibility, and career-focused education. I believe my dedication to student outcomes and my collaborative approach make me a strong candidate to represent Escondido and San Marcos on the board. What is the most important issue currently facing your community college district? The most pressing issue facing our community college district is ensuring equitable access to quality education that is both affordable and aligned with the needs of our local workforce. Many students face barriers related to mental health, financial constraints, and inadequate support systems that hinder their academic success and ability to transition into good-paying jobs. Addressing these issues through comprehensive support services, financial accessibility, and career-focused programs is crucial for our district’s success. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? First, I would prioritize expanding mental health services and resources to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed both academically and personally. Second, I would advocate for initiatives that enhance affordability, such as increasing access to scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. Third, I would work to strengthen partnerships with local businesses and industries to create more career-focused programs that prepare students for high-demand jobs in our community. What would your approach be to budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? My approach to budget planning and spending would be strategic and student-centered, ensuring that funds are allocated to areas that directly impact student success, such as mental health services, affordable education options, and career development programs. In the event of a budget shortfall, I would prioritize protecting essential student services and explore cost-saving measures that do not compromise the quality of education. What would you do to make community college more affordable and accessible? To make community college more affordable and accessible, I would work to expand financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships and grants, and advocate for the reduction of textbook and material costs. Additionally, I would support the development of more flexible course offerings, such as evening, weekend, and online classes, to accommodate students who are working or have other commitments. Collaborating with local high schools to promote and expand dual enrollment programs can also help reduce the cost of college by allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. How should your community college district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? To raise student academic achievement, the district should focus on providing comprehensive support services, including tutoring, mentoring, and counseling, to address both academic and personal challenges. As a board member, I would advocate for the integration of mental health resources into student support services, recognizing the critical role that well-being plays in academic success. Why do you think more students are not transferring to four-year colleges or completing a degree/program? What, if anything, do you think should be done to address that issue? Many students face barriers such as financial constraints, lack of guidance, or insufficient academic preparation, which can prevent them from transferring or completing a degree. To address this, we need to strengthen academic advising services to provide clear pathways to graduation and transfer, improve transfer agreements with four-year institutions, and increase awareness of available financial aid options. Do you think anything currently offered in community college district curricula, libraries or programming should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? I do not believe that any existing curricula, library resources, or programming should be removed without careful review and community input. Instead, I believe we should focus on expanding and enhancing what is currently offered to better meet the diverse needs of our students. It is essential to continuously evaluate our offerings to ensure they are relevant, inclusive, and aligned with both academic standards and the demands of the local workforce.