The Green Valley Civic Association, Poway Chamber of Commerce, COX, and Poway Kiwanis partnered on two Virtual Candidates Forums to find out where candidates stand on important issues that will affect you and your community.
Q: Describe your personal/professional background (i.e. schools your children attend(ed), profession, involvement in the PUSD community, etc.)
Cindy Sytsma: After spending some time as a Correctional Deputy, I transitioned to education. I have been an educator for 22 years. I have taught all grades in both general and special ed. I have spent the last 16 years working at the university in both teacher credentialing courses and criminal justice courses. When my children entered the school, I jumped in with both feet to get involved. I have served on the PTA board every year, headed several committees, been a co-room parent every year, to name a few.
Jimmy Karam: I’m a retired Navy Supply Corps Officer (Supply Corps Officers are essentially the business managers of the Navy). I have over 25-years of leadership experience in multiple disciplines to include Program Management, Government Contracting, Academic Administration, and Curriculum Development.
My last tour in the Navy (2013-2016), I served at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as the Economics Department Associate Chair. I’m currently an adjunct Economics Professor at Palomar College, teaching two sections of Economics at Escondido High as part of their Dual Enrollment program. As for my day job, I’m a Program Manager leading an Engineering staff of 40 plus people. My education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from USNA, an MBA from USC, and a Masters in Performance Psychology from National University. In addition to my academic, business and management experience, I’m also a member and certified mental performance consultant with the Association of Applied Sports Psychology. I was able to earn this certification after volunteering over 400 hours with the Poway High Football team for the past two years as their Leadership and Mental Skills coach. I've been married to Verena for over 20 years now, and we have literally lived all over the country, including a couple of years in Italy. We have lived in PUSD since 2007, with the exception of 2013-1016 when we lived in Annapolis, MD. Our children have attended Creekside Elementary, Garden Road Elementary, Twin Peaks Middle School, and Poway High School. • Lisa graduated from Poway High School in 2018 • Julian transferred from Palomar College to UC Davis and is remotely attending classes from the “Karam Campus” here in Poway • Emerson is attending Poway High School as a Freshmen via the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) • Cooper is enjoying his time learning and socializing with friends at Garden Road Elementary via VLA. Verena has decided not to work this year so she can stay home and assist with Cooper’s little school pod of friends here on “Karam Campus”Darshana Patel: Professional:
• BA Occidental College • Ph.D. Biophysics, UC Irvine • Scientist, Genentech, Inc. Selected Board positions since 2010: • PUSD Board of Education Trustee (past President, VP, Clerk) • California School Boards Association (Delegate, Vice-Chair Legislation) • Rancho Peñasquitos Planning Board (Land Use, past Vice-Chair) • SDPD Police Captain’s Advisory Board • Executive board PVES PTA and Foundation My daughters attend Park Village Elementary, Mesa Verde Middle, and Westview High School.Tim Dougherty: Tim grew up in a small business environment in Southern New Jersey, where his father served on his local school board for 15 years. Tim went on to be a Div. I athlete and obtained a BSMEngineering and M. Eng. at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
In New Jersey Tim has worked as a substitute teacher of Technology and wrestling coach at a middle school. Here in San Diego, Tim continued teaching through coaching the Torrey Pines youth wrestling team for several years. He now coaches softball for his daughters. Tim currently works as a Senior Director of Supply Chain for a local retailer where each year a group of senior industrial engineers works on a design project that he manages along with a USD faculty member. He is Lean/Six Sigma trained and has lead transformative large-scale projects, programs, and teams. Tim also is an adjunct at USD, teaching Manufacturing Processes. Tim knows what it’s like to be an online student, an online teacher, a business operator, and a parent. He hopes to use this knowledge and experience to make the Poway Unified School District even better for his daughters and his community.
Q: Why are you seeking this office?
Cindy Sytsma: I have dedicated most of my adult life to schools and children programs. It would be a great honor to be able to continue to make a positive impact for children on a greater scale.
Jimmy Karam: I bring a skill set that is unmatched by any other candidate and current board member. I believe my experiences in education, the military, and leadership can contribute to what our community needs in this time of uncertainty. We are going to be faced with great challenges in the next four years. Not only are we going to have to figure out how to deal with the second and third order effects of COVID-19, but we are also going to have to deal with financial struggles that many school districts are facing as we resist deficit spending practices. Looking forward, it is imperative for our future board members to provide fiscal oversight and carefully evaluate future spending decisions.
With over 25-years of leadership experience in multiple disciplines to include Program Management, Government Contracting, Academic Administration, and Curriculum Development, I have trained to figuratively parachute into organizations, quickly assess the requirements necessary to get the job done, and then make it happen. These skills have served me well as the Naval Academy's Economics Department Associate Chair, a Logistics Officer serving in the Mediterranean Sea, and an Adjunct Professor at Palomar College, and ensure my capability to lead as your School Board Trustee in these unprecedented times.Darshana Patel: I am running for a second term on the PUSD Board of Education because I am the proven leader with a track record of understanding complex issues, listening to families and students, and making informed decisions under difficult circumstances. I am fully dedicated to my role since advocating for public education is my passion.
Tim Dougherty: PUSD has been celebrated for its educational excellence for years. This is why people seek our schools when establishing their families. However, in the recent past, significant challenges have prevented the improvement of the education. During my time in the District, I have not seen these challenges overcome nor have I seen defined measures of success for the Board. Covid has amplified the challenges and brought more our way. I want a better educational experience for our kids. I believe my skill set and years of experience in business, engineering, and education make me an ideal Trustee to represent the best interest of Area A.
Q: What are your thoughts on making distance at-home learning a permanent option for students?
Cindy Sytsma: A parent’s educational choice is personal. If virtual school is the best fit for a family then it should remain an option. However, the majority of families believe that on campus learning is the right fit. Our kids thrive when they work in groups, socialize, learn how to handle conflict, join programs, etc. For many children, school is their safe place as sadly home is not their happy place. These kids need school for a safe human connection with teachers and friends who believe in them.
Jimmy Karam: I’m a fan of Virtual Learning Academy as an option for parents, teachers, and students. I understand this option is not ideal for many, but there are a number of people that do prefer this method of learning. I honestly feel that my family personally has thrived in this environment. There are definitely ways we can improved virtual learning, but it has proven to be a viable option forward and should continue well passed COVID.
Darshana Patel: We have invested significant time and resources in building a virtual platform at all grade levels. I am open to working with teachers, staff, and the community to determine whether we can make this a long-term option, perhaps through PUSD Alternative Programs, for example.
Tim Dougherty: Absolutely, yes. If industry is any indication, remote working and learning are here to stay. The trick is…how much, who, and when? Face-to-face learning is always best. Depending on the age and subject, there are many courses that can be delivered online, be effective, and increase efficiency of students, teachers, and other resources. However, as we learned in the spring and now, it can be very complicated and require solutions outside of our comfort zone. I would propose the Virtual Learning Academy (virtual learning option) quickly appoint someone as a full-time leader of this important “school”. This role would have sole cross-department and cross-services responsibility for leading quick design iteration and implementation of the virtual learning experience while integrating it into traditional learning.
Q: With the rising costs of a four-year college education and pandemic restrictions to a traditional four-year college experience, many high school students are exploring alternative paths and options for their future careers and job opportunities. How can the district better support and address their needs?
Cindy Sytsma: I know from years of extensive research and experience of working at all grades and with the vast exceptionalities of children, that as much as we would love for them to all go to college, it is not realistic. Our children are beautiful and talented in their own way. They need to expand their talents beyond core academics. They need programs such as the arts and trade programs to make them well-rounded individuals and better prepared with other outlets to handle the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Jimmy Karam: PUSD should keep investing in Career Pathways and expand our relationship with Community Colleges. Career Pathways makes education relevant for our students. It provides exposure to many different opportunities outside of the traditional academic route. Career Pathways is ideal for closing the achievement gap.
In addition, PUSD needs to do a better job at incorporating Dual Enrollment Program with local community colleges. This is a great way for students to earn academic credit in high school and college.Darshana Patel: The District has already started expanding existing CTE programs and I am supporting ways to add more opportunities, such as a Middle College through a partnership with Palomar College. Also, we have a strong partnership with the Poway Chamber and my hope is that we can find ways to increase mentorship and internship opportunities.
Tim Dougherty: This is exactly right. Like primary and secondary education, I believe the colleges and universities are facing big changes. Financially, many colleges and universities will be extremely challenged, and options could soon be different. Alternative paths and options for post-secondary education and careers needs to paramount. I think there is an opportunity for PUSD to create key partnerships with local colleges and business to creatively fund the education, training, and employment of our students simultaneously. Many employers already partially fund college tuitions. PUSD needs to engage advisors, local colleges, universities, trade schools and businesses immediately. In summary, I believe the end of high school, the beginning of training or college and/or the start of a career can happen in parallel over a longer period of time.
Q: Do you believe there are systemic issues of racial injustice present in the school district? If so, how should they be addressed?
Cindy Sytsma: The definition of systemic, means affecting the whole body. No, I don’t believe there are systemic issues of racial injustice in the district. I do believe there are instances of racial injustice. If there is 1 instance that is too many. The path to the eradication of racial injustice starts with education. Curriculum needs to span the grades. Our district has beautiful diversity. Secondary schools have adopted “No Place for Hate,” our elementary schools have kindness week. It is a great start.
Jimmy Karam: Yes, 100%! PUSD Board passed Resolution No. 116-2020 Reaffirming PUSD’s Commitment to Fight Racism and Correct Systemic Inequity, now is the time for follow through and action. I am quite pleased with the steps PUSD has taken since June with partnering with SDCOE’s Equity Department Coaches, strengthening discipline procedures, ensuring all sites engage in anti-bias training, etc.
I still believe there is one aspect of confronting systemic racism that is missing from all the good things PUSD is accomplishing thus far. I believe our students still need a “Safe Place” to go to discuss and address their experiences. The Naval Academy has a similar program where faculty and staff can opt in for more formal training and then be certified as a “Safe Place” as annotated on their respective office/classroom door. When students experience an adverse experience (i.e. racial injustice, harassment, sexual assault, etc.), they now have a number of options to go to for help. The “Safe Place” program educates staff volunteers on how to speak with students in distress and then guide them through a series of protocols that are respectful of the parties involved in the incident.Darshana Patel: Yes. I am co-author of PUSD Board Resolution 116-2020, which directs the District to confront systemic racism. The resolution says the District will align resources to meet student needs and re-examine curriculum text selections, hiring practices, student discipline and program access through a partnership with students, staff, parents, and community. I have seen a draft of the plan and am looking forward to real change and accountability.
Tim Dougherty: From our personal experience in the District, I say no. In the 3 years at our school, I have met new teachers, parents, and kids and experienced nothing but high respect and treatment of all races.
That said, I understand there have recently been PUSD student incidents reported and introspection of the alignment of the number of teachers of certain races to students of the same race. I understand the Board is taking a close look at hiring practices to understand if there were also disproportionate applicants and qualified candidates. If qualified candidates were overlooked because of race; that is a problem. As for the student incidents, we need to use those as opportunities to educate those involved. I believe people are inherently good and deserve a chance to correct their actions. This education starts at home. Parents and students need to be accountable.
Q: What value do you place on the performing arts and what should the school district’s role be in supporting the Arts?
Cindy Sytsma: I significantly value the performing arts. Both of my children are involved in music theater. My son has always been confident and outgoing. My older daughter has always struggled with low self-esteem and anxiety. After 1 year of music theater, her confidence and personality began to take hold. I wrote my dissertation on NCLB. As a special ed teacher, I place immense value in academics; many children struggle with reading, writing, and math. Performing arts allow children to shine in other ways.
Jimmy Karam: In Maryland, my daughter picked up the viola as early as second grade. I see no reason to make this possible for our students in PUSD. I’m a big advocate for performing arts in our schools!
PUSD can start by meeting the California State Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Standards. I’m not convinced PUSD is addressing this issue to the best of its abilities. I understand XPloration has been implemented to address the inequality of VAPA program in out elementary schools, but again I’m not convinced this is meeting state standards. Lastly, back in 2018 there was PUSD VAPA Task Force that provided recommendations on the best way to move forward in meeting state standards. PUSD needs to start there and take action on those recommendations.Darshana Patel: I am a patron of our PUSD visual and performing arts and have attended many high school performances throughout the district. The district formed a VAPA committee and it produced a 5-year Strategic Plan in 2019. Despite looming budgetary challenges, I am committed to continuing resource allocation to our VAPA programs at all grade levels.
Tim Dougherty: I place a very high value on the Performing Arts. When I was young, there was no Theatre Arts program at my high school. Later in life, I grew an appreciation for the Theatre Arts, mostly from watching my sister-in-law build a Theatre Arts program from scratch, at that very same HS. Year over year, I am amazed at the talent and level of enthusiasm her students put into their annual musical. Studies show students who study the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. The District should encourage and support these programs. There are underutilized resources and businesses in local communities with whom we can develop creative partnerships to solve problems during these challenging times. These partnerships need to be financially viable.
Q: List your top priorities as a member of the PUSD Board of Education
Cindy Sytsma: Improve both general and special education programs, build community involvement, foster inclusiveness and equity, and transparency.
Jimmy Karam: 1) More counselors on campus to help with our children's social and emotional development by leveraging the community to proactively assist in helping our children with mental and life skills.
2) Improved Community Relations. PUSD needs to stop making top-down decisions that impact the community. 3) Confront Systemic Racism and Social Inequalities.Darshana Patel: My top priorities are:
• Student equity and access in all school programs • Social-emotional wellness for our students at all grade levels • Advocacy for adequate public-school funding Visit www.patel4pusd.wordpress.com for more detailsTim Dougherty: My top priorities for PUSD are Reopening/Post Covid Learning, Facilities/Land Use, and the Budget Deficit. They are separate but deeply intertwined. The pandemic has forced education to redesign its processes and delivery of education. This design must be able to iterate quickly. Vulnerable and young students, along with their parents, are feeling the brunt of school closures. The proposed bond measure to fix aging facilities failed in March. There is no new solution. Year after year, expenses outpace revenues, and Covid has amplified this problem. My experience and background make me uniquely qualified to address these major hurdles. I will create goals and KPIs for myself, tied to these and other priorities, so the voters can later measure my success.