School Boards Matter: 2026 Candidate Guide

Debra McLaren

What do you see as the greatest challenges facing public school districts over the next several years?

I believe the greatest challenges facing public school districts in the coming years include developing clear, responsible policies for the use of technology, the internet, and artificial intelligence. Districts must ensure these tools are used safely, ethically, and in ways that protect student data and support learning.

In addition, staffing shortages continue to impact classrooms, student services, and overall school operations. Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, specialists, and support staff will be essential to maintaining high-quality instruction and safe, well-run campuses.

Finally, sustainable funding remains a critical concern. Rising costs, state mandates, and community expectations require careful fiscal stewardship to ensure resources stay focused on students and classrooms.

How should school boards respond to increasing political polarization, censorship efforts, attacks on policies/programs aimed at supporting marginalized students, and declining trust in public education?

I believe that school boards must respond to continued polarization with steadfast commitment to students, transparency, and inclusive governance. When political conflict intensifies, the school board should ground decisions in evidence, community engagement, and the district’s mission rather than partisan pressure.

Efforts to censor curriculum or undermine programs supporting marginalized students require a clear, principled stance: every student deserves safety, belonging, and access to accurate, high-quality education. The school board has a responsibility to protect policies that uphold equity, civil rights, and student well-being.

Trust is essential to all relationships whether with families, the school, or the community. To rebuild trust, school boards must model open communication, respectful dialogue, and consistent accountability. This includes explaining decisions clearly, inviting diverse voices into the process, and demonstrating responsible stewardship of public funds.

Ultimately, I believe the school board strengthens public education when they keep students at the center, honor educators’ expertise, and ensure schools remain places where everyone feels valued.

How would you work to ensure that all students, including students from historically marginalized communities, feel safe, supported, respected, and able to fully participate in school? What role should school boards play in creating inclusive school cultures?

Because of my more than 35 years of experience serving students, families, and educators, I know that creating truly inclusive schools requires both daily action and strong governance. I would continue to work to ensure all students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, not just feel safe and supported but actually are safe and supported. I would continue as I have throughout my career as an educator to prioritize clear safety protocols, promote culturally responsive practices, and ensure resources support consistent access to counselors, specialists, and programs that affirm identity and belonging.

I have seen firsthand that students thrive when adults listen deeply, respond with dignity, and build environments where every child is known and valued. That means elevating student voice, strengthening family partnerships, and ensuring staff have the training and resources to meet diverse needs.

I know school boards play a critical role by setting policies that protect equity, monitoring data on student well-being, and ensuring resources are allocated where they are needed. Boards must model transparency, respect, and unwavering commitment to the success of every child, in every neighborhood, in every classroom. This is what I am committed to doing as a board member.

Educator burnout, staffing shortages, and retention challenges continue to affect schools across California. What do you believe districts should do to better support and retain teachers, counselors, classified staff, and other school employees?

Districts can better support and retain teachers, counselors, classified staff, and all school employees by strengthening workplace conditions, not just offering isolated incentives. With over 35 years in education, I know people stay where they feel valued, supported, and able to do their best work.

First, districts must ensure safe, predictable environments by providing effective supports, clear protocols, and adequate staffing so employees are not asked to carry unsustainable workloads.

Second, competitive compensation, benefits, and stable assignments are essential. Retention improves when employees can build long-term relationships with students and colleagues.

Third, districts should invest in professional growth, including mentorship, leadership pathways, and training that reflects real classroom and campus needs.

Fourth, transparent communication and collaborative decision-making build trust. Employees commit to systems where their voices shape policies and where leaders communicate openly about budgets, priorities, and changes.

Finally, districts must cultivate a culture of respect and recognition. Celebrating contributions, visiting sites regularly, and acknowledging the expertise of all employee groups strengthens morale and reinforces the dignity of public service.

When districts honor their people, students benefit from stable, skilled, and deeply committed adults across every campus.

Student achievement data often reflects persistent disparities based on race, income, disability, language access, housing instability, and other factors. What strategies or priorities would you support to improve student outcomes while also addressing underlying inequities?

With over 35 years of experience in public education, I believe improving student outcomes requires both strong systems and a deep commitment to equity. Districts must implement an effective student monitoring system that uses clear, system-wide benchmarks and multiple measures for academic, behavioral, attendance, language access, and social-emotional quality indicators, to understand what each student needs to meet required standards. When disparities appear, timely intervention is essential, not optional.

To address persistent inequities tied to race, income, disability, language, and housing instability, it is important to have various assessments that identify what each student needs. There must be goals and actions that address the needs of each student and a system in place to monitor the progress towards those goals so that adjustments can be made as needed. I also know firsthand how important it is for schools to partner closely with families and community organizations to remove barriers outside the classroom.

Ultimately, the school district is responsible for the continuous improvement with academic growth and achievement by combining data-driven decision-making with human-centered leadership so that every student is seen as capable and valued.

Schools are increasingly navigating questions related to technology, artificial intelligence, social media, student privacy, and digital safety. What principles should guide district decisions around technology use while ensuring students are both prepared for the future and protected from harm?

I believe district decisions about technology, artificial intelligence, social media, and digital safety must focus on student protection, responsible use, and college/career readiness. School districts need clear board policies that prioritize data privacy, cybersecurity, and safe digital behavior, ensuring students are shielded from harmful content, exploitation, and misinformation. Screen time should also be defined in board policies on instruction.

Second, technology should be used intentionally, not automatically. School districts must evaluate tools for instructional value, developmental appropriateness, and equity of access so that all students, regardless of background, benefit.

Third, transparency is essential. Families and staff should understand how student data is collected, stored, and used, and districts must communicate openly about risks and safeguards.

Finally, the school district should invest in quality digital citizenship education, teaching students how to navigate AI, social media, and online spaces with critical thinking, ethics, and responsibility.

Board policies must be clear about the purpose of technology and how it is used to prepare students for a rapidly changing world while protecting them from harm.

How should school districts ensure that all students, regardless of background, identity, ability, or zip code, have equitable access to high-quality academic programs, mental health supports, extracurricular opportunities, and pathways to college and careers?

A school district and its Board of Trustees must ensure equity by allocating resources according to student needs. High-quality academic programs require more than increasing rigor; they demand instruction that ensures students truly learn, apply, and retain essential knowledge and skills. Educators and support staff must have access to ongoing, targeted professional learning that equips them to meet diverse student needs. Site administrators also require differentiated training so they can effectively monitor academic progress and social-emotional well-being across their campuses.

District and school leaders should maintain a comprehensive menu of supports, both on and off campus, to address academic, behavioral, and mental-health needs. All students must be able to participate in school-site programs without barriers such as fees or lack of transportation. Transparent, user-friendly data systems should track access, progress, and outcomes to ensure every student receives the support necessary for success.

School board members must balance their duty to act in the best interest of students and the families they represent with the practical realities of overseeing a district's operations and finances. How do you plan to communicate with your constituents to understand their needs and priorities? What steps will you take to follow through and verify that what the district reports is actually being implemented as promised?

Effective governance requires listening deeply to the community while ensuring that district operations and finances remain aligned with student success. I plan to communicate with constituents through regular community forums, school site visits, and ongoing conversations with families, educators, and classified staff. These touchpoints allow me to understand emerging needs, celebrate strengths, and identify areas where students require additional support. I will also maintain open channels through email and scheduled office hours so stakeholders can share concerns and priorities directly.

To verify that district initiatives are being implemented as promised, I will rely on transparent data, clear reporting structures, and consistent follow-through. This includes reviewing site-level progress reports, monitoring budget allocations, and asking targeted questions about timelines, outcomes, and accountability. I will visit campuses to observe programs firsthand and speak with those responsible for carrying out district plans. When discrepancies arise between what is reported and what is occurring in practice, I will work collaboratively with district leadership to address gaps and ensure corrective action.

My commitment is to maintain trust through communication, transparency, and diligent oversight so every decision reflects the best interests of students and the families w

For more about Debra, visit: drdebramclaren.com.