Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Read more Lan Quoc Nguyen, Garden Grove Unified School District Area 2 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire
Name: Kris Spowart
Age: 56
Current job title: Parent; Community Volunteer & Education Advocate; Retired Product Manager
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: This is my first time running for public office.
City where you reside: Dove Canyon
Campaign website or social media: spowart4schoolboard.com
What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
No. 1: Student achievement and future readiness.
Every student deserves a high-quality education that challenges and supports them to reach their potential. We need to continue improving achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and critical thinking while preparing students for college, career, military service, and skilled trades.
A well-rounded education matters. Arts, athletics, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and extracurricular activities help students find their strengths, build confidence, and develop important life skills.
Students are the “why” behind every decision. As a board member, I will listen to students, educators and families, look at student outcomes, and work to make sure that students have the resources they need.
No. 2: Responsible leadership and accountability
The board has a responsibility to provide oversight of the district’s budget and use of public funds and to make sure the district’s priorities are being carried out. I will listen, look at the facts, ask questions, follow the law, board policies and the education code, and make decisions based on what is best for students.
We need to balance current student needs with the long-term financial health of the district. Every dollar matters, and decisions should be based on data, transparency, and what serves students best.
To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
A school board’s role is to set the direction for the district and make sure the district is moving in that direction. The board establishes goals and priorities, adopts the budget and policies, approves curriculum and instructional programs, and makes sure the district follows state and federal law.
The board also hires, supports, and evaluates the superintendent. It monitors student achievement, safety, and student outcomes, while overseeing responsible use of public funds, facilities, contracts, and employee agreements.
A school board should listen to students, educators, staff, parent/guardians, and the community. Those perspectives are important when making decisions that affect our schools and students.
I think of the board’s role as the “what,” while the superintendent and district staff are responsible for the “how.” The board should set direction and expectations without trying to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.
Ultimately, the goal is to make sure students are receiving a high-quality education and are prepared for their future.
How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Artificial intelligence isn’t going away, and our students need to know how to use it responsibly. It will be part of their education, careers, and everyday lives, so schools should help students understand its benefits and limitations.
I support using AI as an aid to learning, not in place of it. Technology should not replace strong teaching, relationship building, hands-on learning, critical thinking, or face-to-face interactions.
Students need to understand academic integrity and privacy, and how to evaluate information AI provides. There should be clear expectations for students and teachers that are also communicated with families.
I believe we should be careful about how much technology students use. Screen time, attention, relationships, and student well-being all need to be considered.
I would like our district to provide clear guidance and training for teachers, students, and families. AI should be another tool, not the answer to everything. The question should always be: Is this helping students learn and preparing them for their future?
How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
As a PTA member since 2010, I support the California State PTA’s efforts to encourage civic engagement and informed participation in our democracy. I believe schools have a role in teaching students how to listen, ask questions, evaluate information, and respectfully engage with people who might have different perspectives. Students should feel comfortable expressing their views while also learning that disagreement does not have to mean disrespect.
Civic education should also help students understand the importance of voting and being an informed participant in their communities. High school students can benefit from learning more about how local government and elections affect their schools, families, and communities.
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We may not always agree, but students should learn they can have respectful conversations, listen to other points of view, and learn from each other.
The goal is to send students out into the world as informed, thoughtful, respectful, and confident members of society.
Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Attracting and retaining excellent educators and staff is essential to student success. Competitive compensation matters, and so do professional support, manageable workloads, and having the resources needed to do the job well.
In South Orange County, we recognize the high cost of living. I would support looking at opportunities that could make housing more attainable for educators. That could include working with local agencies, colleges, and developers to see what might be possible.
I would also support stronger pathways into teaching, special education, and paraeducator/instructional aide positions through local colleges, community colleges, and high schools. We should pay particular attention to positions that are difficult to fill.
Most importantly, I would listen to educators. School visits, conversations with staff, and district staffing data can help the board better understand challenges and where we can improve.
Retaining great educators starts with creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and able to do their jobs well. When we support our educators, we are supporting our students.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
For more than 16 years, I’ve been involved in our schools in many roles. Both our children attended SVUSD. Our son received special education services from preschool through graduation, and our daughter began in kindergarten. This gave me firsthand experience with the district from many perspectives, including general and special education.
My journey started as a PTA volunteer and Room Parent. I later took on leadership roles at the school and district levels, including PTA/PTSO leadership, School Site Council, and Community Advisory Committee, where I served as chair for three years.
For the past three years, I’ve served as Saddleback Valley PTA’s Special Education Advocacy Chair, supporting Parent Special Education Liaisons at 31 schools. I’ve worked with administrators, school teams and families, organized parent education and meetups, and advocated at the local and state levels, including traveling to Sacramento to speak with legislators.
I’ve never been someone who sits on the sidelines. If you want to make a difference, you have to step up and be part of the solution. Now that our children have graduated, I feel a responsibility to use what I’ve learned to help make SVUSD even better for the next generation of students.
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
If my campaign had a mascot, it would be a lion.
To me, a lion represents strength, courage, loyalty, and protection. Those are qualities I believe are important in a school board leader. I take pride in the work I do and in serving my community. I believe leadership means standing up for what is right while listening to the people you represent.
A lion also reminds me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about having the courage to ask hard questions, make informed decisions, and stay committed when things get difficult.
As a parent advocate and community leader, I’ve learned that students and educators need someone who will show up, listen, be a voice, and follow through. I would bring that same sense of responsibility to the School Board.
Most importantly, I want every student to feel safe, supported, and a true sense of belonging, while having the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
The best book I’ve read this year is “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn.
The book is about two women from different generations whose lives come together through war, courage, and a determination to help others. I found it compelling because the women were not portrayed as fearless. They were strong, intuitive, and resourceful. They faced difficult situations, took risks, adapted when plans changed, and kept going even when their personal cost was high.
I found that inspiring because leadership can look like that, too. You don’t always have the answers or know how something will turn out. You have to listen, trust your instincts, ask questions, use resources available to you, and have the courage to act when something matters. You have to be willing to step up and do what you can to help others.
Read more Tracy La, Garden Grove Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire