SDUHSD Board candidate: Beth Hergesheimer

Name: Beth Hergesheimer

Occupation: President, SDUHSD Board of Trustees

Education: BS in Business Administration (emphasis in Human Resources)

Community Service: Rosarito Home Building with Come.Build.Hope., Centella Street Community Garden volunteer, (Additional community volunteer/service history available)

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

Our district’s most pressing issue is the need to hire a new superintendent. My first priority will be to find the best candidate possible for superintendent so that we can return our district’s focus to the cooperative partnership between students, teachers, parents, community and administration that has proven to produce great results such as high student achievement and success, great teachers, facilities and programs, and schools of choice. Developing thoughtful budgets and maintaining healthy reserves, while continually seeking new ways to help all students succeed, are some of the additional issues I will continue to direct attention toward.

2. How would you propose to address those issues?

I look forward to a fresh start in the coming year that will include joint superintendent/board member workshops where we can find ways to work together to build upon the academic excellence that has been the standard in our district. I will also seek the creation of additional opportunities for sharing accurate information with our community through public forums, planning meeting and workshops, the district website and other available media to assure our entire community that we are listening, responsive and transparent.

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.

The recent unwillingness of some board members to meet and work together to establish common ground or develop superintendent and board self-evaluation standards and protocols, preferring to spread misinformation and cultivate an atmosphere of divisiveness, has been counterproductive. Examples include misstatements regarding class size average maximums, which have remained the same in our high schools and decreased in our middle schools. Incorrect claims were also made stating that the district was facing bankruptcy when we have healthy reserves both for current and multi-year projections. All board members need to recognize that students are our priority and get things done.