Elect Erin Evans for San Diego County Board of Education: A Progressive Vision for District 4
Dr. Erin Evans is a candidate for the San Diego County Board of Education, District 4, in the upcoming November 5 general election. With a strong background in education, social justice, and community advocacy, Dr. Evans aims to bring a progressive voice to the SDCOE, focusing on critical issues such as limiting the privatization of public education, protecting LGBTQIA+ students, and supporting community schools and teachers unions.
Understanding the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
The SDCOE plays a vital role in the educational landscape of San Diego County, California's second most populous county. It provides services and oversight to 42 school districts, 129 charter schools, and 5 community college districts, serving approximately 500,000 students. The SDCOE also runs schools and programs for children with special needs, those referred by social services, and incarcerated students. For example, the Davila Day School serves Deaf and hard-of-hearing students while the HOPE Infant Family Support Program works with families of infants and toddlers with disabilities. The office also partners with a nonprofit to run the Monarch School for homeless youth.
The SDCOE has a five-member board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $791 million annually. Members of the SDCOE Board of Education are elected in districted races. The board's responsibilities include adopting the County Office of Education’s annual budget; developing an accountability plan for the county’s schools; hiring and evaluating the county superintendent; and hearing appeals for student expulsions, interdistrict transfers and charter school petitions.
Erin Evans: A Champion for Progressive Education
Dr. Erin Evans is campaigning on a platform centered on progressive values and a commitment to improving the educational experiences of all students in San Diego County. Her policy positions and background demonstrate her dedication to the community and her readiness to tackle the challenges facing the SDCOE.
Background and Experience
Erin Evans assumed office on December 13, 2024. Evans' current term ends on December 8, 2028. Evans ran for election to the San Diego County Board of Education to represent District 4 in California. Evans won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
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Dr. Evans is a professor at San Diego Mesa College, where she teaches courses on sociology, social issues, policy structures, and the complexities of social justice. Her teaching experience extends to National Nurses United, Cal State Polytechnic University Pomona, and Beloit College. She has published academic research on topics that include institutional inequity, activism, and advocacy.
Beyond her academic work, Dr. Evans is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for juvenile justice programs. This volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care, specifically justice-impacted youth, motivated her decision to join the CBOE. She has lived in southern California for around 10 years.
Social justice advocacy has been a cornerstone of my life for over 35 years, which is why I earned a Ph.D. studying social movements at one of the top Sociology programs in the country, U.C. In 2024, I was elected to the County Board of Education (CBOE) representing District 4, the largest geographical district in San Diego. My volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care, specifically justice-impacted youth, motivated my decision to join the CBOE. The CBOE directly oversees schools that serve the most vulnerable kids in the county, like San Pasqual Academy, Monarch School, and the Juvenile Court and Community Schools.
Key Policy Positions
Dr. Evans’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the San Diego County education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. Her top priorities include:
- Limiting the Privatization of Public Education: Dr. Evans is committed to preserving and strengthening public education by opposing the privatization of schools.
- Protecting LGBTQIA+ Students: Ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly those in the LGBTQIA+ community, is a core value for Dr. Evans.
- Supporting Community Schools and Teachers Unions: Dr. Evans recognizes the importance of community involvement in schools and the vital role that teachers unions play in advocating for educators and students.
Endorsements and Support
Dr. Evans has garnered support from various progressive organizations, including the California Working Families Party, North County Labor Alliance, and San Diego Democratic Socialists. Her campaign has raised $3,700 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
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The Race for District 4
In the November 5 general election, Dr. Erin Evans will face Sarah Song. There was no primary election for this race. Sarah Song works for a curriculum developer and is a substitute teacher for the county’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools. She is also a former elementary school teacher in Oakland, California. Song’s campaign has raised $7,500 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Key Issues Facing the SDCOE
The San Diego County Office of Education faces several critical challenges that require effective leadership and innovative solutions. According to this year’s accountability plan, some of the office’s main challenges are chronic absenteeism and a need to lower suspension rates.“Monarch's rates for chronic absenteeism were most experienced by English Learners, Latinx [students], students who are experiencing housing insecurity, a lowered income and students with disabilities,” the report said. Suspension rates have increased to more than 5% overall and to 21% at San Pasqual Academy, according to the report.
A Vision for Progress
Elect Erin Evans for Board of Education to put San Diego County on the right track for progress. Dr. Evans is committed to addressing these challenges and working collaboratively with students, parents, educators, and community members to create a thriving educational system in San Diego County. By focusing on equity, inclusion, and student success, she aims to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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