Election 2020: Nine candidates for three San Marcos Unified seats — October 22, 2020 The Coast News
San Marcos Unified has three seats up for election — October 14, 2020 San Diego Union Tribune
Trustee, Trustee Area A — San Marcos Unified School District
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Trustee, Trustee Area A — San Marcos Unified School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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Carlos Ulloa
Teacher
Top 3 Priorities
- My greatest priority is to work with the families...
- I hope to serve our community and ensure SMUSD continues...
- I want to be sure all families have choices in meeting...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Joseph Lai
Program Manager
Top 3 Priorities
- Balancing the District budget
- Close the education disparity gap
- Improve and advance student access to technology
Profile
Endorsed by
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Jay Ross
Businessperson
Top 3 Priorities
- Retain top quality teachers
- Ensuring the safety of students and educators
- Ensuring optimal teacher-student ratios
Profile
Endorsed by
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San Marcos Educators AssociationSan Diego County Democratic Party
Top 3 Priorities
Leeanne M. Leon's priorities are not yet available.
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
Profile
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Teacher
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My Top 3 Priorities
- My greatest priority is to work with the families of SMUSD to find a superintendent that matches the values and goals of our school community.
- I hope to serve our community and ensure SMUSD continues to perform with excellence by supporting all the staff and families that contribute to the success of the students in our district.
- I want to be sure all families have choices in meeting the learning needs of their child. This includes neighborhood schools and K-8 specialty schools of choice.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Teacher
Teacher, Escondido Union School District (1991–current)
Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) Education Commissioner, California Department of Education — Appointed position (2012–2016)
Education
University of California, Los Angeles — Ed.D., Educational Leadership (2013)
Harvard University — Ed.M., Education (1998)
San Diego State University — B.A., Liberal Studies (1991)
Biography
Dr. Carlos Ulloa is a lifelong resident of North County. He has lived within the district boundaries of SMUSD Area A since 2001. He is the son of immigrants and the first in his family to graduate from the university. He grew up speaking English and Spanish and is fluent in both languages. He is a father and grandfather.
In 1991, Carlos graduated from San Diego State University with his B.A. in Liberal Studies. Ulloa completed his Ed.M. in Education from Harvard University in 1998. Dr. Ulloa received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from UCLA in 2013.
Carlos brings three decades of service in education to the SMUSD Governing Board as a Classroom Teacher, Middle and Elementary Principal, District Administrator, and University Lecturer. He is uniquely placed to see all sides, and all points of view from his extensive experience as an educator.
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters San Diego and League of Women Voters North County San Diego (1)
What are the three biggest challenges facing this region in the decade of the 2020s, and how would you use this office to help our community prepare for (and meet) those challenges?
Answer from Carlos Ulloa:
1. As a board member I will advocate for strengthening neighborhood schools and also creating schools of choice that give families options and prepare students for their future.
2. Maintaining a focus on student achievement with exceptional teachers, engaging tools, and modern facilities.
3. Creating safe and inclusive school enviroments where all students can thrive.
Questions from League of Women Voters of San Diego and League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (1)
What action (personal or professional) that you have taken most exemplifies how you will execute the duties of this office in the coming term, if you are elected?
Answer from Carlos Ulloa:
Dr. Ulloa brings three decades of service in education to the SMUSD Governing Board as a Classroom Teacher, Middle and Elementary Principal, District Administrator, and University Lecturer.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
In 2012, Dr. Ulloa was the Governor’s sole appointee to a four-year term as an education commissioner to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), an advisory board to the State Board of Education. As an education commissioner, Ulloa worked tirelessly to give teachers the instructional frameworks and materials needed to give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Dr. Ulloa is an expert in curriculum, instruction and education policy.
Dr. Ulloa firmly believes quality teaching, parent involvement and creating inclusive school environments are key to student learning and achievement.
“I hope to serve our community and ensure SMUSD continues to perform with excellence by supporting all the staff and families that contribute to the success of the students in our district.”
Videos (1)
Candidate Contact Info
Program Manager
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Balancing the District budget
- Close the education disparity gap
- Improve and advance student access to technology
Experience
Education
University of California Santa Barbara — Bachelor of Arts, Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting (2001)
Candidate Contact Info
Businessman
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Retain top quality teachers
- Ensuring the safety of students and educators
- Ensuring optimal teacher-student ratios
Experience
Experience
Profession:Businessperson
Sr. Director, National Field Reimbursement, Coherus Biosciences (2019–current)
Director, Reimbursement Business Advisors, Allergan Pharmaceuticals (2007–2019)
National Training Director, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals (Alliance w/ Pfizer Pharmaceuticals) (2003–2007)
National Training Director, Daiichi-Sankyo (Sankyo Parke Davis) Pharmaceuticals (1999–2003)
Education
University of Baltimore — Masters of Business Administration, Management and Marketing (1993)
University of South Florida — Bachelors of Science, Marketing (1991)
Community Activities
Board Member, La Costa Greens Home Owners Association (2015–current)
Founder and President, Your Kitchen To Soup Kitchen - www.DonateLeftovers.com (Non-profit charity dedicated to salvaging unused food and transporting it to the homeless) (2017–current)
Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council, Coherus Biosciences (2020–current)
Biography
Our family moved to Carlsbad over 14 years ago. Our daughters have attended La Costa Meadows Elementary School, San Elijo Middle School, and currently attend San Marcos High School. Following my MBA at the University of Baltimore, I worked as the National Director of Training for several multinational pharmaceutical companies. I’ve spent many years developing world-class distance learning solutions. I’m confident my expertise in implementing remote and hybrid learning models will be beneficial during this pandemic. I currently serve as the Director of Reimbursement and Patient Access for an Oncology biosimilar company. My hobbies include international traveling and spending time with my family. (I also enjoy embarrassing my two daughters whenever I have the chance ☺).
My volunteerism includes serving as Board Member for our HOA association for the last five years. I’ve been re-elected several times due to my strong track record of listening to our residents and offering innovative ideas to improve our community. In 2017, our family founded a 501(c)3 charity called “Your Kitchen to Soup Kitchen” (www.donateleftovers.com) where our mission is to salvage leftover unserved food by transporting it to various hunger relief agencies throughout the area.
As a board member for our district, I commit that I will listen to the community, administrators, educators, and students. Some tenets of my campaign include:
- Retaining top quality teachers
- Ensuring optimal teacher-student ratios
- A focus on school safety- not only during COVID-19, but also after this pandemic is over. Learning can’t thrive until safety is properly addressed!
- Greater communication and transparency
- Ensure SMUSD has the best hybrid and distance learning platform available during this pandemic
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (2)
- San Marcos Educators Association
- San Diego County Democratic Party
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters San Diego and League of Women Voters North County San Diego (1)
What are the three biggest challenges facing this region in the decade of the 2020s, and how would you use this office to help our community prepare for (and meet) those challenges?
Answer from Jay Ross:
The biggest challenge that has faced K-12 education in decades has been the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced educators towards alternative learning models which have posed tremendous implementation challenges felt by administrators, educators, parents, and students. As a father of two daughters who attend San Marcos High School, I hope that our return-to-school plan will be successful. That said, I am of the mindset that "one hopes for the best but plans for the worst". Having served as a National Training Director for several multinational pharmaceuticals companies, I have extensive experience in the integration of world-class remote and hybrid learning platforms. I belive my experience may beneift the San Marcos School District should we find ourselves relying on distance learning solutions longer than anticipated.
Questions from League of Women Voters of San Diego and League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (1)
What action (personal or professional) that you have taken most exemplifies how you will execute the duties of this office in the coming term, if you are elected?
Answer from Jay Ross:
In 2016, Patricia Corbett noted in her doctoral thesis that “One of the most critical aspects of the schoolboard’s role is the evaluation of the superintendent”. Her research found that “school board members may not receive training in the evaluation process and thus, may be ill prepared to complete this task”. In additon to having 20+ years of leadership experience, I have trained leaders in the skills of of Productive Coaching and Performance Management. I believe my ability to encourage effort, celebrate success, confront poor performance, and bring greater accountabiliy will be of value to our school district.
Source: https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:cj82pn21q/fulltext.pdf
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
This is a nonpartisan, volunteer position that I am running for simply because I feel that I can offer ideas and approaches that are aligned with the best interests of our children. I believe in strong ethics and transparency. I made the decision to accept no financial donations during my campaign and plan to be active in supporting our children within the district should I get elected or not.
Videos (1)
Candidate Experience
— September 18, 2020 Candidate
Provides the rational for my decision to run, an overview of my experience, and some of my ideas to improve our school district.
Candidate Contact Info
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