Two candidates are running to replace Shelia Jackson on the San Diego Unified School Board. One of the candidates for the District E seat, William Ponder, a retired university administrator, spoke to KPBS.
The other candidate, San Diego Community College District educator Marne Foster, was not available for a television interview.
Ponder told KPBS his experience in San Diego's schools made him want to run.
"I think that it's important that those of us who've had the opportunities to do well, who know how to approach these kinds of problems and deal with these kinds of problems, for us to do it," he said. "I have the time, I'm retired."
Ponder said he would work on the district's budget deficit and impending layoffs by involving corporations and foundations who "have helped the district over the years."
District E includes neighborhoods in southeastern San Diego. Its current representative, Jackson, is stepping down.
The top two vote-getters in the election for District E will advance to the general election in November.