Education

A San Diego Playbook

October 30, 2002 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

With four candidates running for two seats, next week’s school board election in San Diego could change the course of the school improvement agenda in the district. Three of the five current board members support the administration’s recent efforts, and two oppose them. One of those dissenters is not up for re-election. That means a win by the two candidates who oppose the reforms would tip the balance of power 3-2 in favor of the dissidents. Here are the key actors:

The Administrators The Union

Superintendent

Former federal prosecutor had no work experience in education before being hired in 1998.

San Diego Education Association President

Says union has been shut out of planning school measures. Backs Jeff Lee and John deBeck to change school board majority.

Chancellor of Instruction

Former New York City district leader hired by Mr. Bersin to lead design of teaching and learning initiatives

School Board Candidates

School Board Candidates

Katherine Nakamura, a lawyer, and Clyde Fuller, a retired FBI agent, concede that the reforms have taken their toll on staff members, but say the changes have been generally positive.
Jeff Lee, a former Navy officer, and incumbent John deBeck, a retired teacher, are highly critical of the school improvement efforts undertaken in the district since Mr. Bersin and Mr. Alvarado arrived.

Events

Federal Webinar The Trump Budget and Schools: Subscriber Exclusive Quick Hit
EdWeek subscribers, join this 30-minute webinar to find out what the latest federal policy changes mean for K-12 education.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Curriculum Webinar
End Student Boredom: K-12 Publisher's Guide to 70% Engagement Boost
Calling all K-12 Publishers! Student engagement flatlining? Learn how to boost it by up to 70%.
Content provided by KITABOO
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management
Moving the Needle on Attendance: What’s Working NOW
See how family engagement is improving attendance, and how to put it to work in schools.
Content provided by TalkingPoints

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: May 21, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz What Is the Average Teacher Salary for the 2024-25 School Year? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Quiz Are You Keeping Up With Trump’s Big Changes to K-12 Funding? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Quiz How Is Trump Changing School Discipline Rules? Take This Week’s Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read