Opinion: Steve McDowell should be re-elected for many reasons
Resident, Del Mar
The Del Mar Union School District is not unlike Solana Beach School District a few years ago. Solana Beach hired a new superintendent who was not a good fit for their district and a year later hired their current superintendent who has been very successful. Del Mar now has Superintendent Peabody’s strong calm leadership and is maintaining a staff that is focused on learning and children versus facilities issues.Over the last four years the district has brought in people who have a wealth of experience in technology, employee and professional development and curriculum. Our students will see the benefit of what they bring to the district for many years to come. Steve McDowell understands that the board’s job is to update the priorities, the mission statement, and policies to ensure we are providing the learning environment where our students can succeed.
Steve McDowell has the California School Board Association Governance training, served as the DMUSD representative to the Legislative Action Network, the Schools Education Foundation, the North City West Facilities Finance Authority and the Strategic Planning Committee at the San Diego County Office of Education. He has the strong financial background to help this district continue doing a great job in hard economic times. Steve believes it is important to prepare students for the future by providing enriched standards-based programs that push them to be creative, to be responsible, and make them believe they can succeed — our excellent API scores support this.
Steve McDowell has financial strength, he has encouraged the district to maintain strong reserves and provide effective financial management. As a result of questions he has asked the district was able to avoid teacher layoffs. He listens to the community and reviews the analysis provided by district staff.
Four years ago Steve McDowell’s goal was to raise the bar across the board, he believes that has happened with the staff. Our district today is in better shape to serve the students of its future. McDowell is running again, to support them, to support our community and to keep our district the best in the County.