Where do Atascadero Unified School District candidates stand on the issues?
Ballots are on the way to San Luis Obispo County residents, and among the dozens of offices up for election, are a number of hotly contested school board races.
To help as you make your decision, The Tribune has compiled a 2024 Election Voter Guide, meant to give easy access to some of the candidate’s basic facts and stances.
Five candidates — Matt Pennon, Veronica “Roni” DeCoster, Joey Arnold, Jodi Taylor and Corinne Kuhnle — are running for three open seats on the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees this November. Kuhnle and Pennon are both incumbents.
We asked candidates about their goals for the Atascadero district, and their stances on some key issues.
Here are their responses, organized by candidate and in alphabetical order.
Editor’s note: Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.
Joey Arnold
What is your history with the district?
Generations of my family have attended Atascadero schools. Presently, my two daughters are Atascadero students.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
Improving academic achievement. I would like to see curriculums that help students achieve proficiency, especially in math and reading.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in 5 years? 10 years?
My vision for the district’s future is to have a strong academic program that helps all students succeed, as well as sports and vocational education programs that give students opportunities to excel.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
I know the district is working hard to ensure students’ safety, but there is always room for improvement.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
I would like to see parents have a stronger voice in shaping all district policies.
Veronica ‘Roni’ DeCoster
What is your history with the district?
My youngest just graduated from Atascadero High School. I have been actively involved in AUSD for 15+ years. At the school site level, I’ve been a volunteer and PTA board member. At the district level, I’ve served on several key committees. I have been involved with CAPS (Committee for Atascadero Schools) for over 10 years and have been treasurer since 2018. CAPS is a nonprofit that funds grants to AUSD teachers to enrich education and enhance learning opportunities for our students.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
Our students suffered isolation, loneliness, apathy and anxiety while in quarantine. Being separated from their peers and school day structure stunted their social and emotional growth. Many haven’t fully returned to their pre-quarantine baseline, as evidenced by behavioral issues, antisocial conduct, and lack of engagement in school since in-person instruction resumed. Some seem to have lost the ability to socially interact with peers, manage emotions, set/achieve reasonable goals and make responsible decisions. Bullying/harassment of marginalized students occurs daily. To create a safe and healthy learning environment, students’ mental and emotional health must be a top priority. I will encourage proactively addressing these issues and supporting students as they continue to reacclimate to a formal school setting. I will support anti-bullying education/programs. Above all, the district’s core values of respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence will inform my decision-making.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in 5 years? 10 years?
Ideally, I would like to see a district in which our schools are safe and healthy learning environments where all students can thrive. Where our educators are here for the long term and class sizes are more manageable. Where we are supporting all students academically and emotionally and preparing them with the knowledge and skills they will need to pursue their chosen career and successfully live and work in our community. Where families are engaged and actively involved in their children’s education. Where bullying is no longer an issue on our campuses. Where distinctive arts and music programs are fully funded, staffed and supported. I would like to see AUSD as highly desirable district, with vibrant, robust schools where families choose to enroll their children.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
AUSD has made great strides, keeping students’ best interests at the heart of its policies. We employ psychologists. We have a Wellness Center at the high school. Since COVID, we have added counselors at the elementary level. Safety has been enhanced by surveillance cameras and vape detectors at all secondary campuses. We have established single-point entry at elementary and middle schools, requiring visitors to check in/out through the front office. I would like to see Wellness Centers at our middle schools. Bullying is a perpetual issue that the district should continue to address from elementary school forward by teaching students skills to encourage healthy social interaction and supportive friendships. We should promote better communication among schools to reinforce anti-bullying policies as students progress through each grade.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
As School Board trustee, I will advocate for strengthening policies that encourage students to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic background. I believe that welcoming all students and families, accepting what makes them diverse, including them in the social discussion, and giving them a place to belong, reinforces a positive and healthy campus climate. These are important steps our district can prioritize to eliminate bullying from our campuses, which ultimately benefits all students. From an academic standpoint, programs like Walk to Learn already have equitable principles at their core that are vital for student success because they require schools to consider the specific needs of all students and support them accordingly. Diversity, equity and inclusion promote mental health and academic success for all students.
Corinne Kuhnle
What is your history with the district?
My husband and I have four children that attended AUSD. K-12. As a trustee I have served on the Superintendent’s Budget Committee, Regional Occupational Program (ROP), Superintendent’s Goals Committee, LCAP Steering Committee and as board president three times.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
I have three top issues:
I believe student growth and success to be my motivation and passion running for the Board. Academic recovery after the school closures during COVID continue to be a challenge. Our staff has been working continuously on amending this effort.
Securing safety on all of our campuses. This is ongoing.
Fiscal responsibility of working within a state mandated budget. The state of California is currently in deficit spending. This will require our district to be very mindful working within our budget.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in 5 years? 10 years?
My vision for AUSD is promoting teamwork amongst our stakeholders to help better assure academic accountability and success for students at all levels.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
We have diligently been working on securing our school campuses. Appropriate fencing around each campus is almost complete with a main point of entrance during school hours at each site. At the high school we are moving toward expanding our cafeteria and utilizing it as a multipurpose room also in order accommodate our students in a weatherproof building giving parents peace of mind for their children’s nutritional needs and safety.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
No. I believe by implementing our district goals and honoring our stakeholders, students, staff, parents and community, with respect and integrity as stated in our Core Values, we establish a sense of teamwork on behalf of all students in Atascadero Unified School District.
Matt Pennon
What is your history with the district?
My history with AUSD is grounded in personal commitment and community service. As a parent and trustee, I’ve worked to advocate for inclusive education. I’ve served as PTSA president for the Fine Arts Academy, contributed to the Budget and Superintendent’s Advisory Committees, and helped complete the new High School Aquatic Center. I’ve also improved district communication through Parent Square and a weekly newsletter, ensuring families stay informed and engaged.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
The most important issue facing our district today is ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. We must address disparities in resources, academic support, and opportunities to ensure every student can thrive.
To further address this we need to advocate for inclusive policies and enhanced mental health services, along with being fiscally responsible. This means ensuring that district funds are spent efficiently and effectively, prioritizing resources that directly impact student success while maintaining transparency in budgeting. By doing so, we can ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs and services.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in 5 years? 10 years?
My vision for our district in 5 to 10 years is centered on the development of a strategic plan that is both clear and forward-thinking, yet flexible enough to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our students, families, and schools. In 5 years, I envision a district where all students have equitable access to high-quality education, modernized facilities, and the necessary support systems for academic and emotional growth. Our focus would be on improving academic outcomes, expanding mental health services, and enhancing community engagement.
In 10 years, I see our district as a model of innovation and inclusion, where we proactively address challenges with a nimble approach, ensuring we remain responsive to emerging trends and community needs. Also seeing the returns on our fiscal investments. By focusing on long-term fiscal responsibility, continuous improvement and collaboration with our community, we can create a district that excels in preparing our students for future success.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
We are doing a great job supporting our students’ safety and well-being, but there is always room for improvement. Focusing on the whole student remains a priority in our work. We’ve made significant strides in expanding mental health and counseling services across all school sites, such as adding a Wellness Center at AMS, and we will continue to grow these services to meet increasing needs.
School safety is continuously evaluated, and every facilities update includes additional safety measures. My goal is to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive, with all school sites serving as secure facilities.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
Currently, our district does not have specific diversity, equity and inclusion policies in place. However, we do follow all state and federal laws that support our students and families. That said, we need policies that not only acknowledge our differences but harness them as strengths. Our district is fortunate to have a diverse community of students, teachers and families, each bringing a wealth of experiences, knowledge and unique perspectives. By creating and implementing comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion policies, we can turn these differences into powerful forces that drive positive outcomes and growth for our district.
Jodi Taylor
What is your history with the district?
I am a longtime resident of this area. We own and operate a small business. Generations of my family, including my two children, have attended and graduated from Atascadero Unified schools.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
School safety, I would work to encourage and support policy that promotes all children have a safe and hospitable environment to learn in.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in 5 years? 10 years?
My vision for the district is to have a high-quality and safe school experience that prepares the students for higher education or to enter the workforce successfully.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
We can always do more to ensure student safety and we should prioritize areas in which campus security and function can be improved.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
I agree with the stated position of Atascadero Unified School District that says, “District programs, activities and practices shall be free from discrimination based on gender, race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or genetic information. ...” I think that the district should abide by this when addressing such issues.
This story was originally published September 30, 2024 at 12:48 PM.
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