When John Lee Evans was elected to the San Diego Unified School District board in 2008, he did it by ousting incumbent Mitz Lee. It was a rare upset, and he accomplished the win with support from the teachers union.
It was a tough time to become a school trustee. The economic downtown that became known as the Great Recession started in 2008. The school district was hit with significant budget cuts, teacher layoffs and larger class sizes.
Financially, the district is in better shape today, and Evans is seeking his third, four-year term. He faces a challenge from Stephen “Steph” Groce for the seat that includes Clairemont, University City and Mira Mesa.
Evans said that the 2008 financial crisis inspired him and his fellow trustees to create a long-term plan to improve the school district.
“So back in 2009 we developed a Vision 2020, which was really to transform our school district over a number of years,” Evans said. “The class of 2020 was then in the first grade, they’re now in the eight grade, getting ready to go on to high school, and I would like to see it through to ... the year 2020 when they graduate.”
Evans, 62, represents District A, which encompasses 39 schools along Interstate 5. He’s also a clinical psychologist for children and adults.
His list of accomplishments include helping to transform the district’s high schools to offer college preparation and career technical courses.
John Lee Evans
Age: 62
Family: Married with three children
Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology at Pitzer College; master's degree in psychology and doctorate in clinical psychology at U.S. International University
Career: San Diego Unified School District board trustee; clinical psychologist
Hobbies: Running at the beach
“We’ve increased the graduation requirements so more students are ready to go to college,” Evans said. “But at the same time, we’ve actually decreased the dropout rate and increased the graduation rate.”
Evans has also led efforts to get more training for principals and teachers to make them better leaders, while increasing classroom technology. It’s all part of the strategic mission of Vision 2020 — to develop quality schools in every neighborhood.
The project has started bearing fruit, said Evans as he stood in front of Jonas Salk Elementary, the district’s newest school. The $24 million campus on Flanders Drive in Mira Mesa opened its doors last fall.
“This is an area of Mira Mesa that was waiting about 30 years for an elementary school,” Evans said. “There were lots of bureaucratic delays and we were able to get everybody together and get this school built, and it’s one of the finest schools in our district.”
But Groce, who is challenging Evans for a seat on the school board, said more needs to be done.
Stephen Groce
Age: 42
Family: Married with three children
Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in business administration, Trident University International
Career: Financial asset manager for Sport Chalet
Hobbies: Volunteering
“I believe that we should challenge the status quo,” Groce said. “I’m a firm believer in thinking differently, and I think we should think differently to get this best school district possible.”
Groce, 42, is a financial asset manager for Sports Chalet, though the company is going out of business. He said he’s also active with several community groups, including the San Diego Police Department Advisory Board and a city of San Diego neighborhood coalition. He said he's vying for a seat on the school board to bring transparency and trust.
“The school district and the school board is comprised of educators,” Groce said. “I don’t believe that we need another educator on there. But I do believe we need a counterpoint — someone to look at things through a different lens, through a different mind-set and different thought.”
Groce said if he’s elected, he would work to provide an open dialogue between the school board and the public.
“Because right now the parents that I speak to feel that there is no line of communication directly to the board,” he said. “During board meetings, they’re given opportunities for public comment, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a response.”
Groce would also work to redistribute the school budget.
“I’m a firm believer that we have enough budget that a teacher should never have to pay for supplies out of their own pocket,” he said. “Students should not have to come to school with their own pencils and paper. They should come to school with a backpack and lunch.”
Another reason for his candidacy: He doesn’t want Evans to run unopposed.
“If no one’s asking the questions, things will just continue the way they are,” Groce said.
Groce faces an uphill battle trying to unseat the two-term incumbent, but he said he’s ready for the fight.
Both District A candidates will advance to the general election in November, regardless of whether one candidate has an overwhelming victory in June 7 election. The June election is only in District A. In November, they will compete citywide.
