Candidate for
Trustee; Sweetwater Union High School District; Trustee Area 3

Platform Statement:

I am running for the Sweetwater School Board because schools and children are the foundation and future of our community. The pay to play scandal and board member convictions have disgraced our school district and the South Bay community.

I am a juvenile law attorney and for over 30 years have represented students who have committed crimes. My clients are students who have made bad decisions. I mentor, advise and educate students to do well in school, to not use drugs, to respect people and property, to make better decisions.

I work closely with law enforcement, mental health professionals and community resource agencies that specialize in helping students in trouble.

I am the immediate past president of the Chula Vista Rotary Club. Rotary is the largest service organization in the world, and for over nine years I have been performing community service throughout the South Bay. Our club has provided students of the district with scholarships and leadership camp programs.

As a parent of a daughter who graduated from the district, and who is now a teacher, I know the issues that both children and schools face. I will have a very close and positive relationship with teachers of the district. I will represent their needs, listen to their concerns, and demand that they be heard.

I have asked students, parents, teachers and administrators to share their views about the accomplishments of the District and the areas of concern. I have reached out to community activists who the old board tried to silent and ignore.

The number one issue facing the district is how to deal with the corruption that has permeated the board and administration. The selection of the new superintendent will be the cornerstone to stopping the corruption. Some other important issues facing students, parents and taxpayers are as follows:

A. Open boundaries policy unilaterally adopted without board approval

B. The deterioration of schools due to time and overcrowding

C. The spending of Mello-Roos tax money

D. The disposition of district owned real property

E. The need for a forensic audit to expose waste and misuse of money

F. The relocation of the district office

I will solve the issues facing the district by acting with compete integrity and honesty. I will reach out to the community and teachers for information, advice and guidance.

I am an independent thinker accountable only to the community and not to any special interests, particularly any union.

I am not a career politician. This will be the first time I have run for office. However, I have lived in Chula Vista for over 25 years and could not just stand by as the students and community suffers the repercussions of the pay to play scandal.

I am not part of the problem or connected to the district in anyway. I am part of the solution and the fresh start that our students, parents and teachers deserve. __________________________________________________________

Responses to Voice of San Diego Candidate Questions:

1. What is your interest/ intent in serving on SUHSD board?

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. __________________________________________________________

Ballot Statement:

Candidate Designation = Youth Advocate/Businessman

Candidate Statement

Richard Arroyo has devoted his career to representing and counseling at-risk teenagers. Richard has a proven track record of helping and advocating for our local youth.

Richard Arroyo has worked with community based organizations assisting our youth in Chula Vista. Richard has extensive experience working with teachers, law enforcement and mental health professionals to help young people understand the importance of respecting others and the need for a good education.

Richard Arroyo has a passion for working with young people in our community. As a member of the Chula Vista Rotary Club, Richard collaborates with professionals and small business owners to provide opportunities for Chula Vista students.

Richard Arroyo knows the law and will fight against corruption, career politicians, and special interests. Richard will focus on what's really important + the students. Richard's number one priority will always be the best interest of the students.

Richard Arroyo will focus on creating safe schools, improving the quality of education in our schools, and making sure our school district is run in a manner that earns the respect of our community.

Richard Arroyo will bring integrity and change where it is needed.

Vote for Richard Arroyo for a better Sweetwater School District!