Where do the Lucia Mar 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.
Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Lucia Mar Unified School District Board of Trustees this November: Paul Bischoff, Mike Fuller, Paul Hively, Vicki Meagher, Dee Santos and Don Stewart. Stewart, Meagher and Santos are incumbents.
In Area 1, Stewart is facing off against Bischoff. In Area 2, Hively is challenging Santos. And in Area 4, incumbent Meagher will go against Fuller.
We asked candidates about their goals for the Lucia Mar district, and their stances on some key issues. Bischoff, Fuller and Hively did not respond to The Tribune’s requests for participation.
Here are the remaining candidates’ responses, organized by candidate and in alphabetical order.
Editor’s note: Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.
Vicki Meagher
What is your history with the district?
Parent, grandparent, classroom teacher, Oofficer/site rep for teachers union, multiple curriculum leader, substitute teacher, volunteer art teacher, Lopez Capstone panelist
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
Today and every day, fiscal stability is the most important issue. We address this issue with conservative projections while keeping the focus on students, highly qualified staff, modern facilities and overall operations.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in five years? 10 years?
Optimism! My vision is one of continued expansion of ways for students to learn and succeed: Career Technical Education, college credits through dual enrollment and advanced placement, Adult Education, Independent learners. A community of educators who work together to further students’ successes. Facilities which will support learning in the future. Funding which will support all students.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
One of the district’s best improvements concerning student safety and well-being has been the addition of counselors at all schools and the enhanced districtwide mental health services. Campus night lighting, surveillance, and communication technology continues to be advanced. The use of Raptor check in system that screens individuals through DOJ to gain entry to all of our campuses. I want to continually evaluate, refine and improve emergency procedures.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
In Lucia Mar USD, schools are safe and welcoming for every student, staff and community member. We follow current laws dictated by the state. I would not change any of our policies. I care deeply about Lucia Mar USD.
Dee Santos
What is your history with the district?
Decades-long advocate for Career Technical Education; Advocated for Central Coast New Tech High School; volunteered in the new cosmetology program and longtime supporter of FFA.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district today, and what will you do to address it?
Today and every day fiscal stability is the most important issue, especially given the funding uncertainty from Sacramento. We address this challenge with conservative projections while prioritizing the needs of students, staff and facilities, including hiring locally.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in five years? 10 years?
Expanded opportunities for students who learn differently; continued expansion of college and career pathways; continued growth of dual enrollment and AP courses; and full and steady funding from the state to support student success.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
We’ve been vigilant on this topic. We continue to invest and expand counseling services and mental health support; all students have free access to breakfast and lunch; we’ve installed the Raptor check-in system that screens all visitors with the DOJ; we’ve provided mandatory active-intruder training for all staff, including substitutes; and we keep our community safe by investing in robust after-school programs.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
We are committed to ensuring all students and staff are treated equally. We follow all state laws and education code when it comes to equal access and opportunity, so that all students can succeed. We are intent on making sure that Lucia Mar activities are welcoming to all generations. I have dedicated my life advocating for all students in our community to make sure Lucia Mar schools are the best they can be!
Don Stewart
What is your history with the district?
My two boys are graduates of Arroyo Grande High School. We are a proud cross country and track family. Prior to serving on the board, I was a substitute teacher in the district and a guest theater director for many productions at Nipomo High School.
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 is fiscal stability. The funding uncertainty at the state level makes local budgeting a challenge. We address this by balancing the budget based on conservative projections while prioritizing student and staff success. I’m proud that we have passed a balanced budget every year I’ve been on the school board.
What is your vision for what your district should look like in five years? 10 years?
My vision for a future Lucia Mar would be to have the achievement gap in student learning narrowed and then fully erased. I’d also like to see expanded access to dual enrollment college courses and AP classes; affordable housing for early-career teachers; increased parent engagement; expanded opportunities to support children who learn differently; and ultimately, full funding from the state, to allow us to attract and retain the quality educators that are the foundation for student success.
Is your district doing enough to support student safety and well-being? Is there anything you would like to improve?
I’m proud of how proactive we’ve been. We have invested in and expanded counseling and mental health services. We’ve expanded access to arts and music. All students have access to free breakfast and lunch. Sidewalks and infrastructure have been upgraded for safe travel to our schools. We’ve installed the Raptor check-in system on all our campuses, which screens all visitors before they enter our schools. And, we’ve upgraded facilities by undergrounding utilities, expanding surveillance technology and improving lighting so that our schools are safe spaces for our community.
Would you change any of your district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies? If so, how?
Since I’ve been on the board, the district has been dedicated to ensuring that all students and staff feel welcome with a sense of belonging on our campuses. Sites have invested in anti-bullying programs; have installed buddy benches so that no student has to sit alone; and they find ways to celebrate our differences while always remembering that we are one community.
This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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