SDUHSD Board candidate: Bob Nascenzi

Name: Bob Nascenzi

Occupation: Business executive

Education: BA in Economics, Boston College; MBA in Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Community Service: Court Appointed Special Advocate, Voices for Children, July 2012 – present; Appointed Member, Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, SDUHSD, May 2015 - present; Co-founder and Executive Committee Member, Tech San Diego, Sept. 2015 - present; Chair, Board of Advisors, SME CONNECT, July 2012 – May 2015; Entrepreneur in Residence, CONNECT Springboard, 2007 – 2015; Board Member, Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, 2008 – 2012 (President, 2009-2011); JV Roller Hockey Coach, TPHS, 2005-2007; Elected Member, Del Mar Mesa Planning Board, 2004-2010; Vice Chair, TechAmerica, San Diego Region, 1998-1999; Coach/Manger, Del Mar Little League/San Dieguito Pony League, 1996-2003; Coach, YMCA Roller Hockey, 1995-1998

1. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the San Dieguito Union High School District?

New issues will surface, but we can be certain of two; the funding and completion of Prop AA projects and the renewal of our teachers’ contract.

Our board has been split 3-2 in funding some critical Prop AA modernization and expansion projects; a new majority could stop these voter-approved efforts.

Our current teachers’ contract was also approved along a 3-2 vote, and includes a clause that automatically increases salaries to ensure they are always the highest in the county. Yes, our teachers should be well paid, but the board should not abdicate its fiduciary responsibility to other school districts.

2. How would you propose to address those issues?

I would work to replace the board’s partisan politics with a culture of consensus building; each issue should be decided based on its benefit to students, not its politics. As an executive, I’ve always valued open-minded curiosity, rational analysis and diverse collaboration as better decision-making tools than pre-conceived ideologies. These are the same tools our top-flight schools teach our children.

I’d also like to see more engagement with the community. If we can pull parents and citizens closer to the decision-making process, we’ll have a more responsive, accountable board that puts students first.

3. Do you agree with the way the San Dieguito Union High School District operates? If not, what changes do you think need to be made.

As a father of four boys who’ve been through the district, I couldn’t be prouder of the work our teachers, administrators and staff do for our students. As a member of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, I’ve been particularly impressed with the efficiency and transparency in the way in which district staff has managed Prop AA funds and projects.

I would, however, like to see more communication and transparency from the board — most folks are in the dark about board activities. At the least, the board might create a quarterly electronic newsletter outlining district issues, recent board decisions, upcoming action items and the like.