Why am I running?
I’m running because I believe every family should have access to an academically excellent, tuition-free public school that they trust. I’m a mom, former classroom teacher and the co-founder of a network of classical liberal arts schools.
If you’ve been paying attention to SDUSD, you’re probably frustrated. This institution has failed to offer what every family deserves: a quality, agenda free, in-person education for their children. The current leadership closed the schools for almost 18-months, and their policies hurt kids living on the margins of society the most.
I’m a voice for parents, and I stand for the preservation of childhood. I know what it takes to run a great school, where teachers walk with students, giving them the tools needed to flourish after graduation. I offer a fresh set of ideas, and I’m not beholden to the special interest groups that have put themselves before San Diego’s schoolchildren.
I believe we need transparency, true accountability, and a return to open thinking. I will fight tirelessly on behalf of children while remaining open and accountable to parents, teachers, and taxpayers. I will choose programs that unite rather than divide. It’s time for someone to stand up for parents and kids.
I humbly ask for your vote.
Becca Believes...
“Mental health is a problem for everyone. It’s important that schools have resources and promote support without stigmatizing.“
– Becca
Becca Williams is the clear choice
over Cody Petterson
Becca Williams
Cody Petterson
Becca:
- Is endorsed by the San Diego Police Officer’s association because she values police presence to keep kids safe.
Cody:
- Thinks police officers currently stationed on campuses should be moved somewhere else.
Becca:
- Supported by over 400 local, small donors, and is running a grassroots campaign.
Cody:
- Backed by $300,000 in special interest funding. They are running a campaign on his behalf.
Becca:
- Believes San Diego Unified schools could have safely reopened much earlier than 18-months into the pandemic, as many other local schools did.
Cody:
- Believes the schools were closed for about the right amount of time.
Becca:
- Knows she’s running to fight for kids and academics first.
Cody:
- Is still asking himself why he decided to run for school board.
Becca:
- Supports grading students on a 1-100 scale to capture an accurate measure of performance.
Cody:
- Believes grading on a 1-4 scale is preferable because it will close the achievement gap on paper.
Becca:
- Believes in the importance of elected school boards to reflect the will of the public.
Cody:
- Believes school boards may be unnecessary. He prefers the European model of public education bureaucracy without any elected officials.
Becca:
- Knows the $24,000/year spent by California districts on each child has not translated into quality education as 50% of San Diego Unified’s students are not reading at grade level.
Cody:
- Believes the main thing standing between San Diegans and great public education is more money.
Becca:
- Has worked as a classroom teacher in 1st and 4th grade classrooms, managed a curriculum company, and founded a network of high ranking K-12 public charter schools.
Cody:
- Has never had a job in K-12 education.
Becca’s Core Proposals
True Accountability
I will make sure that education funds are properly allocated towards essential programs that our kids need to be learning: reading & literature, mathematics, history, and the sciences. I will fight tirelessly on behalf of children while remaining open and accountable to all stakeholders: parents, teachers, and taxpayers.
Whole Child Education
I will push for programs such as sustainable gardening, mindfulness, shop class, and other well-rounded hands-on programs that make our public schools centers of life where an experience of the real abounds. I believe that educating the body, mind, and spirit leads to human flourishing.
Equality for All
I believe unity comes about through an experience of our common humanity, a corresponding appreciation of our diversity, and a shared pursuit of equality.
Critical Thinking
I will promote learning environments with a distinct culture that fosters listening, deep inquiry, and gratitude. I will champion programs that create well-organized and efficient learning spaces where students can grow and develop critical thinking skills together.
Career Preparation
Campuses should be bolstered with resources to increase participation in a range of programs that graduate career ready students.
Healthy Technology
Technology can be a wonderful tool to assist in the education of our children, however it can also be abused and become detrimental to childhood development. I will advocate for healthy amounts of screen time in educational settings, so that our kids can learn when it’s appropriate to use devices and when to put them away.
Although Becca’s election will influence all San Diego Unified schools, District-C, where you can vote for her, covers parts of La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Point Loma, and Ocean Beach.
Becca Believes...
“I like to gather as many facts as I can before I make a decision, to see if it changes how I think. You don’t need to look far back in history to find instances where groups of people were certain of themselves, yet acted in foolish ways. What we need are leaders united in the relentless pursuit of truth, who are humble, and open to correction.”
– Becca
Why worry about the San Diego Unified School Board?
SDUSD has a tremendous impact on the culture, economy, and vibe of San Diego. You cannot overstate this impact! The average daily attendance is close to 97,000 students, making it the second largest of the 1000+ school districts in California. SDUSD shapes the next generation of San Diego citizens at a very large scale, setting the trajectory of their lives as future workers, voters, and parents.
Public Endorsements
California Women’s Leadership Association
San Diego Asian Americans for Equality
Latino American Political Association of San Diego
"Becca's endorsement comes out of an overwhelming decision from our board. We are confident that her message resonates with parents of San Diego and that she will bring integrity, honor and discipline to the San Diego School Board."
"Becca is the kind of qualified, patient and witty individual we need serving on the school board of a large district. We share the same background in having real classroom teaching experience, and I know that puts her a cut above others."”
— Kevin Kiley
California Assemblyman
“I’m enthusiastic about Becca’s candidacy because I’m confident she will be a courageous defender of equality.”
— Frank Xu
Co-Founder and Secretary, San Diego Asian Americans for Equality, Palomar College Board Candidate
— Steve Baldwin
Former Chairman of the Education Committee of the California State Assembly
The Lincoln Club of San Diego County
San Diego Police Officers Association
San Diego Union Tribune Editorial Board
“Becca has my support!”
Mayor of El Cajon
“Becca is a highly qualified candidate who will use her experience as an educator and mother to courageously fight for San Diego families and their children.”
California State Assembly District 76 Candidate
“Becca Williams will stand with parents to get the best for their children.”
San Diego County Board Supervisor
“Becca is the voice for parents that support and academic-focused curriculum to prepare students for college and careers.”
Mayor of Coronado
The Lincoln Club of San Diego County
San Diego Police Officers Association
“Becca is the voice for parents that support and academic-focused curriculum to prepare students for college and careers.”
Mayor of Coronado
“As a mother I support Becca for SDUSD school board because she deeply respects the consciences of parents in choosing what is best for their children, unlike much of the current SDUSD leadership who have failed to honor families’ decision making and needs.”
Mom, Author, Educator
— Steve Baldwin
Former Chairman of the Education Committee of the California State Assembly
Becca Believes...
“I believe pro-business principles influenced by free market economics can contribute to the vitality of all organizations, including schools. I bring the conviction that these ideas have brought the most people out of poverty and generated the most wealth of any set of ideas yet seen by the world. In schools, these ideas are best complemented with the conviction that every single student is unique, worthy of equal opportunity, and may need special help and attention to secure this.”
– Becca
Join this noble cause
We need to triumph in the June 7th, 2022, primary, and then secure roughly 40,000 votes in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Point Loma, and Ocean Beach in the general election on November 8th, 2022. Please reach out to us and commit to taking back our school board.
Becca Believes...
“”Pass or Fail” grading has failed – we must restore Honors classes and traditional grading systems.”
– Becca
About Becca
Becca Williams is a founding member of Valor Education and founding board member of Valor Public Schools. In 2017 Valor Public Schools successfully obtained a charter to open three K-12 schools with a peak enrollment of 5,000 students in the Austin, Texas area. Valor’s distinct program offers students a full human education in the classical tradition, from the Great Books to advanced math and science. In 2021 parents gave Valor a 96% satisfaction rate, despite having to navigate through the difficulties of a pandemic, where a need for both in-person and distant learning emerged. Prior to pursuing work in education, Becca competed professionally in stock car racing, and oversaw business operations for an LLC that supported her racing. She was a finalist on the BET reality TV show Changing Lanes, and holds titles for numerous achievements in stock car racing. Becca has also taught in first and fourth grade classrooms at one of the top charter schools in the country. A graduate of Belmont Abbey College, she holds a graduate degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington D.C.