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 Chargers review: ‘The plan did not work to result in a victory’
Name: Ron Scolesdang
Age: 41
Current job title: Business Owner
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Irvine Public Works and Sustainability Commissioner
City where you reside: Irvine
Campaign website or social media: Ron4schoolboard.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.)
1. Preparing students for life after graduation. Academic excellence must remain a priority, but students also need practical skills that prepare them for college, careers, and adulthood. I would support stronger career and technical education, financial literacy, technology and AI readiness, and partnerships with local businesses and community organizations that give students exposure to real-world opportunities.
2. Strengthening the partnership between schools and families. Parents, teachers, and students should feel heard when decisions are made that affect their schools. I would prioritize transparent communication, accessible opportunities for community input, and meaningful engagement before major decisions are made. I also want teachers and staff to have the support and resources they need to focus on students.
My approach is simple: listen first, focus on measurable student outcomes, and make decisions based on what best prepares every student for a successful future.
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.)
The role of a school board is to set the direction, priorities, and policies of the district while holding district leadership accountable for results. Board members should listen to parents, students, teachers, and the broader community and ensure their voices are represented in major decisions.
I do not believe board members should micromanage classrooms or tell teachers how to teach. Curriculum decisions should follow state requirements while involving professional expertise, transparency, and meaningful parent and community input. The board’s responsibility is to ask the right questions, establish clear expectations, oversee the budget, and make sure district resources are being used effectively to benefit students.
Ultimately, a school board should provide oversight and accountability while keeping the focus on student achievement and preparation for the future. My approach would be to listen, evaluate the facts, and make decisions based on one question: Does this improve outcomes for our students?
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 is going to be part of the world our students enter, so schools have a responsibility to teach students how to use it effectively, responsibly, and ethically. I support expanding AI when it strengthens learning, such as personalized tutoring, research assistance, language support, accessibility, and helping students understand emerging technology.
However, AI should be a tool, not a substitute for learning. It should be limited when it allows students to bypass critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, or meaningful interaction with their teachers. Students still need to demonstrate that they understand the material and can perform independently.
We also need strong safeguards around student privacy, age-appropriate use, academic integrity, and the AI platforms schools adopt.
Rather than pretending students will not use AI, we should teach them how to use it responsibly. Our goal should be to prepare students for an AI-driven future while protecting the fundamental skills, relationships, and independent thinking that education is meant to develop.
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.)
Schools should help students learn not only what to think about, but how to think, communicate, and respectfully disagree. Civil discourse is an important life skill, especially in a time when social media can reward division rather than understanding.
I would like to see our district create more opportunities for age-appropriate discussion, debate, student government, and civic engagement where students learn to listen to different perspectives, support their positions with evidence, and disagree without attacking one another.
Just as importantly, classrooms should remain environments where students feel comfortable expressing different viewpoints without fear of being ridiculed or treated differently because of their beliefs. Teachers should facilitate these conversations fairly and encourage curiosity rather than conformity.
Read more Chipotle Mexican Grill has found a new way to show off its vegetables
The goal should not be to tell students what political positions to hold. It should be to develop informed, respectful, independent thinkers who can listen to others, evaluate facts, communicate their own ideas, and participate constructively in their communities.
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 educators is important, but we also have to recognize the current reality of declining enrollment and the financial pressures that can create for school districts. Our first priority should be retaining and supporting the excellent teachers and staff we already have.
Compensation matters, particularly in a high-cost community like Irvine, but retention is about more than salary. Educators also need manageable workloads, strong school leadership, professional growth opportunities, safe classrooms, and confidence that district resources are being directed effectively toward students and the people serving them.
I am open to exploring creative solutions to the cost-of-living challenge, including partnerships or housing assistance programs, but any major investment such as district-subsidized housing should be evaluated carefully for cost, effectiveness, and long-term financial impact.
As enrollment and staffing needs change, I want IUSD to remain a district where outstanding educators want to build their careers and where we prioritize retaining great teachers before simply focusing on increasing headcount.
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.)
I bring the perspective of a parent, business owner, longtime youth coach, and Irvine commissioner. Each of those roles has taught me something important about leadership: listen before making decisions, build strong teams, be accountable for results, and never lose sight of the people you serve.
Working with young people for more than two decades has shown me that every student has different strengths and that success does not follow one path. As a business owner, I understand budgets, accountability, problem-solving, and making difficult decisions when resources are limited. My service on an Irvine city commission has also taught me the importance of transparency, collaboration, and listening to residents with different perspectives.
As a parent of an IUSD student, these decisions are personal to me. My priorities are keeping students first, ensuring parents have a meaningful voice, supporting excellent educators, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and preparing students for college, careers, and life.
I would bring an independent, practical, and student-focused perspective to the board.
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
A wolf.
Wolves are strong and resilient, but what I appreciate most is that they thrive as a team. They protect their pack, work together, and understand that the group is stronger when everyone contributes.
That reflects how I view our schools. Students succeed when parents, teachers, staff, and the community work together. Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice; it’s about listening, bringing people together, and being willing to stand up for the people you serve.
And as a lifelong martial artist and coach, I’ll admit I appreciate a little fighting spirit too.
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 “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.
What stood out to me is the idea that great leadership starts with understanding why you are doing something before focusing on what you are doing or how you are going to do it. That resonated with me because it applies to business, coaching, public service, and education. When challenges come up, it’s easy to get caught up in processes, politics, or disagreements and lose sight of the purpose behind the work.
For me, the “why” in education is simple: our students. Every policy, budget decision, and discussion should ultimately come back to whether we are giving students the best opportunity to learn, grow, and be prepared for their future. It was a great reminder that effective leadership begins with purpose, and that when people understand the why, it becomes much easier to work together on the how.
Read more A lawsuit accuses Starbucks of mislabeling 8 ‘sugar-free’ protein drinks