Votedohm.com

I am the married father of five children, all have attend schools in Ramona Unified School District, and graduated from Ramona High School. For over 30 years I have been an educator at Poway High and was a founding teacher at High Tech High Charter School. I am currently the Engineering Academy Coordinator at Poway High School and the Head Coach of the award winning and internationally known Robotics Team Spyder 1622. I hold a BA in Mathematics and Visual Art, an MA in Educational Leadership and a Masters in Governance from the California School Boards Association. I am in the Sunday School Presidency and Ministry in my church.

Proven Track Record/Results Examples:

1. Continual respect for our Constitutional Rights, Parental Rights, Ramona values and personal freedoms through policy.

2. Courses across RUSD, such as 6th grade Band and Music Appreciation, Elementary Visual Art, French, Personal Finance, Computer Science, Intro to Design, Principles of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, PLTW Capstone, to name a few.

3. New Electric Busses and charging stations through grants at no cost to RUSD.

4. The hiring of many new excellent teachers, paraeducators, social workers and classified employees.

5. RUSD fiscally sound maintaining a “positive” rating of fiscal stability.

6. Students remained in-person through COVID while most schools were remote across the state.

7. Installed solor at Ramona High and Olive Peirce Middle to reduce electrical costs.

8. Saved 7 million dollars by restructuring the solor project.

9. Saved 6 million dollars by refinancing the COP loan.

 

Rodger Dohm

Governing Board Member (Trustee), Ramona Unified School District
/Educator/Parent

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"Rodger Dohm's track record demonstrates that he's always done what's right for children, family and the community. His experience as an educator and school board member is what our Ramona community needs. I am proud to support him for school board." — San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson

"Rodger always puts students first. I'm proud to support him." — President Andrew Hayes, LakesideUSD

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As the father of 5 children (all graduated from from Ramona High School) serving on the Ramona Unified School District Board for the past 20+ years,

I believe a conservative approach should be maintained, where parents determine their child’s curriculum and health decisions. Being an educator for the past 30+ years has increased my view for community volunteerism and less government.

Partners with Parents

I am commitment to improve schools, empower parents, and oppose toxic curriculum in classrooms. I will continue to partner with parents in the education of their child, choice and value their input and voice. Parents are the owners of their public schools.

High Expectations for Students

A proven record of high expectations, award winning success, and safety, excel in RUSD. I encourage innovative teaching, curriculum, programs and leadership supporting Ramona values through social and emotional learning, parental rights, values and patriotic education, college and career, athletics, AP courses, STEM, project based learning, vocational and fine arts through continued teacher support, empowering all for unprecedented results.

I am passionately committed to excellence for every child socially and academically in Ramona.

Sound Fiscal Management & Accountability

I am continually driven to work with all community stakeholders to remain fiscally responsible, stable, accountable, and focused on students. I am committed to efficient management, innovative teaching and leadership throughout RUSD, with a focus on the latest technology to increase student test scores. I am committed to RUSD working together with all community stakeholders.

It would be my honor to serve you.

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Endorsed By:

— San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson

— Board Member Dawn Perfect, Ramona Unified School District

— Board President Andrew Hayes, Lakeside Union School District

— Former Board Member Bob Stoody, Ramona Unified School District

Click here to make a donation toward the campaign

A TRUE CONSERVATIVE

I believe a conservative approach should be maintained, where parents determine their child’s curriculum and health decisions. Being an educator for the past 30+ years has increased my view for community volunteerism and less government. — Rodger Dohm, Ramona Unified School District Board Member (Trustee)

1. Reasons for seeking office and my goals as trustee:

I serve because I care about kids. I believe that our children are the most valuable asset in Ramona as well as our future. I am passionately committed to excellence for every child socially, emotionally and academically in Ramona. With more local control, I am actively determined that policy, curriculum and instruction will fit our community patriotic, moral and ethical values. I encourage innovative teaching, college and career preparation, sports, athletics, AP courses, band, project based learning, agriculture, dance, vocational and the fine arts, through continued teacher support and accountability. I continue to support the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for our students to develop 21st century skills for innovation and invention. I believe that Ramona Schools can go from good to great becoming the top schools in the nation. I have High Expectations for Students and Staff (which yield award winning success), plan to maintain sound fiscal management, and support new and continued safety practices in RUSD. I am grateful for our Ramona community and wish to continue making a positive difference in the lives our Ramona children, their families and our Ramona community.

2. Why do Ramona schools need more Local Control?

Thomas Jefferson said it best, that "the government closest to the people serves the people best." California unlike other states has more direct control over public schools. Currently due to state and federal mandates, the Ramona community has only about 10% local control in contrast with state or federal policies that influence the structure, operation, and academic programs in public schools. Local control allows Ramona to teach curriculum in accordance to Ramona values, such as Career Technical Education courses (e.g. construction, auto, engineering and agriculture), band, visual arts, patriotic values and support family values. I will uphold Ramona values in RUSD.

3. How will you address the learning loss of students due to COVID, cell phones, and distractions?

I will continue to focus on learning loss as students have struggled emotionally, academically and socially due to COVID, cell phone use, and other distractions. I am currently addressing math scores district wide and how we can improve them since math scores in Ramona have not made increases over time as planned. Now more than ever I support encouraging innovative teaching with new strategies and interventions to teach and support all students. I support college and career preparation, athletics, AP courses, band, agriculture, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), dance, vocational and the fine arts, through continued teacher support and accountability. I have championed the removal of recreational use of cell phnes in classrooms, making them only for educational use directed by teachers. I support instruction bell to bell and removing all disrations to support student learning.

4. Ethnic Studies (NOT Critical Race Theory) is currently postponed for all California students to graduate from high school because the state did not fund its implementation.

I support an Ethnic Studies curriculum (NOT Critical Race Theory) that is constructive and inclusive including all races and ethnicities that builds understanding and empathy without blaming or denigrating others. The curriculum should celebrate ethnic accomplishments and contributions throughout the world and in our county. While racism and discrimination exists in all ethnicities throughout time, it should be presented in a way to promote inquiry, not ideology, fostering change and community, not divisiveness, for a greater understanding and appreciation of everyone around us, as mandated by California law to be taught in all high schools by 2025, with a graduation requirement by 2030. However, because the state did not fund this mandate, the implementation of Ethnic Studies is postponed for Ramona schools until it is funded by that state.

5. Do you support parent choice?

YES. Ramona Unified has school choice as defined by the right to select your children's school from among a range of possible options. I support school choice and an all-inclusive education for students chosen by their families. School choice is the new norm, impacting the majority of American family’s K-12 education experience, as more than half of parents nationwide are considering choosing a new or different school for one of their children. While I support a parent choosing any school for their child, I understand that Ramona Schools are a choice and know that Ramona schools can provide that option for each student and parent in Ramona as we work on providing and continually improving an all-inclusive, family valued supported, college preparatory and career ready curriculum. RUSD has seven elementary schools including Mountain Valley Academy (full or partial independent study school), and a Montessori approach at Ramona Community Montessori School (one of only a few in the state). There are two middle schools to choice from, Mountain Valley Academy (K-12) and Olive Peirce Middle. And, for a district of about 5000 students we have four high school choices, Montecito High (continuation high school), Future Bound (independent study), Mountain Valley Academy (K-12), and Ramona High. RUSD also provides special education and online courses for students as well as Palomar College courses for high school credit. RUSD has so many choices. We have even recently added Visual Arts into the elementary schools.

6. Do you support parent rights?

YES. I support that parents should know and make the health decisions of their children. I support a balanced approach in schools and that teachers should stay neutral about their beliefs, and ideology so that students can determine for themselves. I am deeply concerned about curriculum that is being suggested and pushed to be taught in schools that do not fit the values of Ramona. I am listening to Ramona parents, students and families to keep Ramona true to Ramona values so we do not have toxic curriculum in schools. Parents have rights, so I encourage parents to be part of the School Site Councils, English Learner Advisory Committees, and Local Control and Accountability Plan Committees to influence the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) which strengthens your voice in major funding decisions that affect our kids and schools, providing your input to implement your values through the Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). I also support parents right in schools which include, federal rights, 1) The right to a free education, 2) The right to be free from discrimination, 3) The right to learn English and get translation services in school, 4) The right to be safe in school, 5) The right to freedom of speech and religion, 6) The right to information and participation, 7) The right to learn about the theory of evolution, 8) The right for your children to opt out of sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention classes, 9) The right to opt your children out of standardized testing, 10) The right to opt your children out of the classroom entirely (home school), 11) The right to privacy, 12) The rights of children with special needs and disabilities for special instruction, 13) The right to get rid of bad teachers, and 14) The rights for student athletes to participate. I also support parents California rights, which are, 1) Visiting a school for classroom observation, 2) Participating in parent-teacher conferences, 3) Volunteering, 4) Monitoring student attendance, 5) Receiving student testing results, 6) Determining school selection, 6) Ensuring safe school environments, 7) Reviewing curriculum, 8) Monitoring their student’s academic progress, 9) Having access to their students’ records, 10) Helping to establish and review standards, 11) Participating in the development of school rules, 12) Being informed about psychological testing, 13) Participating in councils and committees, and 14) Contributing to policy development, which are upheld by the California Department of Education.

7. What are the school district’s strengths and how can it improve?

The district values the family and parent as an integral part of the child’s education. College and Career readiness from elementary to high school with the understanding that students can be successful through a vocational pathway as well as a college focus is essential. In order to foster students ways of learning and provide choice there are non-traditional school options such as MVA, RCS Montessori, Montecito Continuation and Future Bound, since one size does not fit all. Our Palomar College classes where students can dual enroll, plus AP and PLTW engineering courses are other strengths. The district has many high quality programs such as NJROTC, automotive, agriculture, band, robotics, engineering (STEM), construction, sports, athletics, and so on. Other strengths are specific high quality teachers, classified staff and leadership.  Our local PTA’s, parent volunteerism and community support is essential. I would like to see more community members at board meetings to receive their perspective and input. I would like to see more community partnerships with Ramona businesses.

8. Am I satisfied with the quality of education Ramona Unified students receive? What suggestions do I have to improve it?

I am proud of our students, staff and schools as they continue to receive many awards. Students receive an overall academically 'good' education and test scores are better that the county and state averages. Teachers are doing a good job and some teachers a great job, but there needs to be continual improvement, accountability and refinement to go from 'good' to 'great'. We need to ensure all kids are learning by individualizing their education to fit the needs of each student. I do see the need for common approaches but not unilaterally imposed by the state, instead influenced by our community. I see a love for American patriotic values by our children. I see great results in construction, science, performing/visual arts, engineering within RHS, MVA, and Montecito supporting students. I support bringing STEM into every grade level K-12. We need to move forward with students learning innovation at all grade levels. As our society is changing, students going into STEM careers will improve our economy and provide a better quality of life for our kids in the future. I support a RUSD safety committee and a foundation both raising money to improve our schools and making them safer.

9. How are the Common Core State Standards working in Ramona classrooms? Have they changed how students learn and teachers teach? How?

I have heard from many that Common Core is not working. Some are doing fine and others struggling, especially in mathematics. Teachers have changed their teaching style and strategies so students learn multiple ways to solve problems. Common Core is a set of Anchor Standards that all subjects follow with specific standards to mathematics and language arts. Common Core was imposed by the State of California to every school district in 2012 to implement in 2014-15. Since Common Core has been implemented, nationwide test scores have been down. Every school has been encouraged that test scores would dip and then come back up five years later, but across the nation test score remain lower than before.  In Ramona we are experiencing the same low test scores after 10 years. Prior to Common Core our test scores ranked us low globally. Something needed to change, however I hope that it is not another New Math or Whole Language failure. Schools like RCS that teach the Montessori program have a deeper learning experience, providing a successful choice for education in Ramona, however not one size fits all. so, what are we doing now to solve this problem? This year we partnered with Studer Education to strengthen leadership, improve systems, and drive measurable results across schools.

10. As a trustee, how would I balance student needs, maintenance/facility needs, and employee salaries, health benefits and pensions?

Our greatest district asset is our staff which include teachers, support staff and administration, constituting the bulk of the district budget. Student needs come first in the district, with a focus on classroom needs, in which we need to keep the funds close to students. To maintain a healthy balance with a focus on student needs, priority needs to be given to teachers in the classroom, then support services (i.e. custodians, bus drivers, etc.), then supplies and books, maintenance/facility needs and then administration. Providing employee salaries, health benefits and pensions should not compromise what is best for students. Since I have been on the board, the cost of health benefits and pension costs have doubled. I am grateful that employee groups have taken on paying for part of their health benefits and increase to their pensions. I will also put priority on safety concerns and address them immediately. Students should feel safe in school and have clean, updated and maintained facilities.

11. What challenges does the district face? How would I deal with them? What improvements are needed? How can they be addressed by the school board?

The district faces outdated facilities and a teacher shortage. The board needs to continue to create new incentives for innovative teachers and professionals to come to Ramona. The board needs to continue to apply for grants to bring in additional safety strategies and equipment to improve our facilities districtwide, with a focus on kids first! Declining enrollment has been a 15+ year problem in which RUSD receives less funding each year. We need to continue to watch our enrollment numbers. There is a continued increase to pension costs statewide to school districts. RUSD can conduct greater branding and marketing so more students attend all district schools. I see our programs being more aligned with 21 Century skills, STEM implementation and the development of prestigious programs like academies to stimulate growth to the district. Additionally, I support a RUSD Foundation in concert with FORUS that works on writing grants and receiving funding to support schools. I support paying off the COP (Certificate of Participation) loan debt as it continues to draw on our budget. Our COP debt is a continual draw to our expenses. We have refinanced our COP at a lower fixed rate and term saving the district $6 Million dollars, after following the community wishes of no new taxes. Health and benefits continue to rise each year. RUSD continues to find and offer cheaper plans to employees with similar benefits. We have prioritized the district budjet to address new safety concerns and outdated facilities, and are continually working to improve facilities.

12. What qualities do I bring to the board?

Over 30 years of experience as an educator with a STEM and engineering background, plus my service as a board member for almost 20 years. For nearly 20 years being on the board, I have followed through with my promises to Ramona without excuse! Supervisior Joel Anderson says it best, "Rodger Dohm's track record demonstrates that he's always done what's right for children, family and the community. His experience as an educator and school board member is what our Ramona community needs. I am proud to support him for school board."