Responses to Voice of San Diego Candidate Questions

By Richard F. Arroyo

I want to serve on the board to bring back the respect the district has lost because of the pay to play scandal. The board is perceived as corrupt, which negatively reflects on the students, teachers and our community. My number one priority will be students, but teachers will be my second priority. My daughter is a graduate of the district and is a teacher. Although not endorsed by or answerable to the teachers union, I respect teachers and will listen to and consider all their concerns.

2. What background or experience do you have that qualifies you to be a SUHSD board member?

I have been representing, mentoring and educating students charged with committing crimes for over 30 years. I encourage my student clients to respect persons and property, not use drugs, to do well in school, to accept responsibility for their actions, understand what they did was wrong and to not make better decisions in the future. I have a passion for working with youth. I have lived in Chula Vista for over 25 years and have given back to my community and the students of the district through my community service activities as a member of the Chula Vista Rotary Club. I am the immediate past President of the Chula Vista Noon Rotary Club.

3. What do you think is the biggest problem in the district and how will you commit to solving it?

The misuse and mismanagement of money and corruption by the superintendent and some board members. I have never been investigated by the State Bar, the Bureau of Real Estate nor have I been sued by a client. I do not have a criminal record. In principal, I do support a forensic audit of the district but have some concerns about the cost and the usefulness of such an audit. I will ask the difficult questions and hold the new superintendent, administrators and the other new board members accountable.

4. How will you interact with and respond to the public/community? If a resident lives in a different geographic area than where their child goes to school, how will you respond to them?

When I decided to run for the board I immediately began reaching out to the community, teachers, students, and anybody who would speak to me about our district. I have jogged on the treadmill at the Y chatting with teachers and retired teachers about the district. What is good about the district and what needs to be changed. I will have an open door policy where anybody can meet with me to discuss district issues. I will make decisions not based on my pocket book, not based on any debt to any union or special interest, but after an investigation and analysis and input from the community. Any resident of our district, regardless of where their child goes to school, can reach out to me.

I will be elected as the trustee for Area 3, but I will be accountable to every district , student, parent and taxpayer.

5. Will you commit to a forensic financial audit of the district?

YES, but the cost of such an audit is a concern. I definitely will commit to a financial audit of the district and if that audit suggests more criminal conduct, I support the prosecution and conviction of those involved.

6. Define transparency and what it means to you. Give an example of how you will be transparent as a board member?

Transparency to me means being open and accountable to the community. Secrecy breeds distrust. I will encourage the board to adopt a policy of full disclosure except where the safety of any person may be at risk or where there may be a legal requirement prohibiting full disclosure.

I have never run for a political office before. I bring integrity and no special interest obligation to the board.

I will take my election to the board seriously and will practice due diligence and complete honesty avoiding even the appearance of any conflict of interest or other impropriety.