IUSD School Board Candidates Discuss Enrollment, Student Wellness, and the Future of Irvine Schools
On October 17, Irvine Watchdog joined the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center to host a local candidate forum to allow residents to hear from candidates running for Irvine Mayor, City Council and the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) Board of Education.
With the November 3 election approaching, four candidates are competing for two seats on the IUSD school board. In Trustee Area 2, incumbent Katie McEwen is running against Ron Scolesdang, while in Trustee Area 4, incumbent Dr. Jeff Kim faces Jane Wood. Both McEwen and Kim were elected in 2022 and are completing their first four-year term.
The forum was moderated by Norberto Santana Jr., publisher and Editor-In-Chief of the Voice of OC. The discussion included declining enrollment, district finances, artificial intelligence, student mental health, school safety, and diversity.
There was consensus on supporting students and preparing them for the future, however, they differed in approach and execution of those goals.
Meet Your IUSD School Board Candidates
In Trustee Area 2, incumbent Katie McEwen serves on the Board since 2022, including a year as Board President. She previously taught at Northwood High School and has been involved with Irvine schools as a parent and PTA volunteer. McEwen spoke about the experience she gained so far, particularly with district budgets and the decisions that come with changing enrollment. She also emphasized student mental health and the importance of supporting children beyond academics.
Her challenger, Ron Scolesdang, described his background in business, martial arts instruction, youth mentorship and community service. He said he wants to improve communication between parents and the district and help families feel more comfortable raising concerns. Scolesdang also discussed connecting classroom learning with practical skills and approaching district finances from a business perspective.
In Trustee Area 4, incumbent Dr. Jeff Kim is seeking a second term. Kim, the current board president, spent more than two decades working in education, including teaching, administration, instructional coaching and preparing future educators. Dr. Kim earned his Educational Doctorate at the University of Southern California. During the forum, Kim talked about student belonging and the importance of building stronger connections between schools and the community. He would like students to see more opportunities with internships, mentorships, and partnerships with local businesses.
His challenger, Jane Wood, is a credentialed teacher and longtime PTA leader. She described approximately 15 years of involvement advocating for students and families, including her work in classrooms across different grade levels and educational programs. Wood said her classroom experience helps her see how district decisions affect teachers and students. She discussed declining enrollment, mental health funding, and responsible technology.
Declining Enrollment and District Finances
Declining enrollment was a concern raised during the forum, particularly because of the potential impact on district finances and long-term planning.
Wood noted that Irvine had experienced years of enrollment growth while many other California school districts were already seeing declines. She expressed concern about how IUSD would manage the changes ahead.
McEwen also acknowledged declining enrollment and pointed to her experience handling district budgets during her first term.
Scolesdang connected declining enrollment with the district’s financial outlook, identifying increased enrollment as one of the measurable goals he would like to accomplish during his first year on the board.
What was largely missing from the discussion, however, were specific proposals for how IUSD might attract new students, retain families, or address the factors contributing to declining enrollment. The candidates recognized the importance of financial planning and maintaining resources for students, but there was less discussion about what, specifically, the district might do to improve enrollment.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
All four candidates acknowledged that AI is becoming part of everyday life and that students will need to understand how to use it responsibly.
Kim emphasized the importance of skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. He discussed teaching students to use AI within appropriate safeguards, rather than allowing technology to take the place of those skills.
Scolesdang expressed a similar concern about students relying too heavily on AI. He said it should be used as a supplement to learning, not a replacement for developing the ability to think and communicate independently.
McEwen discussed IUSD’s Balanced Technology Initiative and the district’s efforts to introduce technology in ways that support learning. She also spoke about the importance of students working through challenges themselves before turning to AI.
Wood supported the district’s initiative as well, while emphasizing digital citizenship, online safety and age-appropriate instruction. She also raised concerns about cyberbullying and the effect technology can have on developing students.
There appeared to be more agreement than disagreement on this subject. The larger question may be how these ideas translate into classroom practices and how the district evaluates whether its approach is working.
Student Mental Health and School Safety
Mental health and school safety were topics that came up throughout the discussion. Each candidate touched upon mental health and e-bikes at some point during the discussion.
McEwen talked about supporting the whole child, noting that students sometimes arrive at school dealing with trauma or other difficulties that can affect their ability to learn. She also addressed the District’s ongoing conversations with city officials about making travel to and from school safer for students riding e-bikes.
Kim focused on creating a sense of belonging and making sure students have access to support, including those whose challenges may not be obvious to others. He also mentioned being aware of the needs of individuals with invisible disabilities.
Wood raised concerns about mental health services that depend on temporary funding. She said she would like to see more permanent funding for these resources so the district can maintain them over time. Wood also discussed the importance of having trusted adults on campus whom students feel comfortable approaching when something is wrong.
Scolesdang described his work with Irvine-based e-bike company Super73 on a proposed safety education program. His goal, he said, is to make the training engaging enough that students will participate and apply what they learn.
Engaging Irvine’s Diverse Communities
Candidates were also asked about their connections to Asian American communities and how they would engage with families from different cultural backgrounds.
Scolesdang spoke about his Vietnamese heritage and his involvement with the Vietnamese American community, including cultural activities in Little Saigon. He also discussed Seniors Fight Back, a nonprofit he founded that provides self-defense education and resources for older adults.
Kim shared his experience growing up as a second-generation Korean American and discussed the importance of representation, cultural understanding and responding to discrimination.
Wood pointed out that Asian American families represent many different cultures, languages and experiences. She spoke about connecting families with parent organizations and improving translated school communications after hearing concerns about their quality.
McEwen discussed the district’s translation services, community liaisons and the importance of listening to families and maintaining relationships with community organizations.
Conclusion
The October 17 forum provided an opportunity to hear from all four candidates, including what they believe the district is doing well and where they see room for improvement. The candidates approached the question from different perspectives, including personal experience, community involvement and district services. Their responses also raised questions about how schools can make sure families from different backgrounds feel informed, included and comfortable participating in their children’s education. Some of their ideas were fairly specific, while others would benefit from more explanation, especially when it comes to funding, implementation and measuring results.
Declining enrollment came up and was mentioned by each candidate at least once during the discussion. It was identified as a concern, but there is still more to explore about what is driving the changes and what options are available to the school board. The same is true for mental health services, classroom resources and the growing use of technology in education.
As part of its election coverage, Irvine Watchdog is following up with candidates individually to ask more about these issues, their proposals and how they would approach decisions during the next four years. Our goal is to give voters an opportunity to learn more about the people seeking to represent them and the decisions that could affect Irvine schools in the years ahead.
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