Steven Dobesh is running for Santee School District Board of Education, Seat 5, in the November 2026 election
★ Navy Veteran ★ Former Commanding Officer ★ School Site Council Chair ★ Santee Parent ★ Entrepreneur
★ Navy Veteran ★ Former Commanding Officer ★ School Site Council Chair ★ Santee Parent ★ Entrepreneur
My Board Priorities
Parents are a child’s first and most important advocates. Schools should respect the rights of parents to be informed, involved, and heard in decisions that affect their children’s education, well-being, and development. I believe strong schools are built through a partnership among parents, teachers, and administrators, with transparency, trust, and a shared focus on what is best for students.
Technology Should Be a Tool, Not a Childhood
Technology is an essential part of today's world, and our students must graduate prepared to thrive in it. The question is not whether technology belongs in our classrooms, but how and when we use it.
Growing evidence suggests that younger children learn best through direct instruction, reading physical books, writing by hand, collaborative play, and meaningful interaction with teachers and classmates. At the same time, children's overall screen time has increased dramatically over the past decade, while rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and attention challenges have risen to historic levels, particularly among adolescent girls. Although no single factor explains these trends, leading organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics now recognize that digital media should be used thoughtfully and intentionally, with careful consideration of children's developmental needs. Research also shows that the academic benefits of one-to-one classroom devices are mixed, especially in the early grades, where excessive screen use can distract from learning and displace valuable face-to-face interaction.
As a school board member, I will advocate for a balanced approach to technology. For our youngest learners in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, classrooms should emphasize books, handwriting, creativity, discussion, outdoor activity, and personal interaction, with technology used only when it clearly enhances learning. In the upper elementary and middle school years, students should gradually develop strong digital literacy and technology skills while maintaining healthy boundaries that prevent screens from becoming the center of the educational experience.
Preparing students for the future does not require putting a screen in front of them every hour of every day. It means teaching them when technology adds value, when it does not, and how to use it responsibly. Our goal should be to graduate confident, capable young adults who are technologically proficient without becoming overly dependent on technology. That is the balanced, common-sense approach I will bring to the Santee School District.
Proudly Endorsed by Santee Teachers Association
Every organization has a core mission. For Chick-fil-A, it's serving chicken. For The Ritz-Carlton, it's providing lodging. For Neiman Marcus, it's selling quality merchandise. Yet people don't return simply because of the product. They return because of the experience. I can buy a great chicken sandwich at many restaurants, stay at many hotels, or shop at many department stores. What sets these organizations apart is their unwavering commitment to putting the customer first through exceptional service.
Schools are no different.
Math is still math. Reading is still reading. Two plus two will always equal four. But the difference between an average school and an exceptional school is not simply what is taught. It is how it is taught and the relationships built between teachers and students every day.
The most important investment a school district can make is in its teachers. Great teachers inspire curiosity, recognize when a student is struggling, adapt their instruction to different learning styles, challenge students to reach higher, and create classrooms where every child feels valued and capable of succeeding.
As a member of the School Board, I believe our role is to empower those teachers to excel. That means recruiting and retaining outstanding educators, providing them with the resources they need, establishing thoughtful policies that support rather than micromanage, and maintaining high expectations for student achievement. The Board should focus on creating an environment where teachers can do their best work and students can receive the exceptional education they deserve.
When we invest in great teachers, we invest in every student's future. Just as the best companies distinguish themselves through outstanding people and exceptional service, the best school districts distinguish themselves through outstanding educators who make every child feel seen, supported, and inspired to learn.
Investing in Our Schools Responsibly
As a fiscal conservative, I do not support raising taxes lightly. California families are already facing one of the highest costs of living in the nation, and every new tax should be carefully scrutinized and justified.
At the same time, I believe we have a responsibility to maintain the public assets we already own. Our schools are where our children learn every day, and they deserve to be safe, functional, and well maintained. Delaying necessary repairs often leads to much higher costs in the future.
If elected, I will evaluate any school bond based on one simple question: Does it invest in essential infrastructure that directly benefits students?
I support prioritizing projects such as:
Repairing aging roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.
Improving campus safety and security.
Maintaining classrooms and school facilities.
Addressing deferred maintenance before it becomes more expensive.
Ensuring our schools remain safe and functional for future generations.
I am far more cautious when it comes to spending on projects that are not directly tied to student learning or the long-term health of our campuses. Taxpayers deserve confidence that every dollar is spent wisely and transparently.
Good stewardship means planning ahead. Just as homeowners routinely maintain their homes to avoid major repairs, our school district must responsibly maintain its facilities so they continue serving our community for decades to come. Supporting our schools and respecting taxpayers are not competing priorities. With disciplined leadership, we can and must do both.
Steven Dobesh is a proud Santee parent of two Carlton Oaks students. A retired Naval Aviator and former Commanding Officer, he now serves as a CFO and entrepreneur to multiple businesses— bringing a proven record of leadership, fiscal responsibility, and public service to everything he does.
As the father of an 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, he understands the importance of providing every child with a safe, supportive, and high-quality education.
Steven has served on the Carlton Oaks School Site Council for the past four years, working alongside parents, teachers, and administrators to strengthen the school community.
During his 21-year career in the United States Navy, he led high-performing organizations and served in senior leadership positions at sea and at the Pentagon.
Today, as CFO and co-founder of a successful technology company, he oversees finance, legal, strategic planning, and corporate governance.
Steven is committed to protecting parental rights and ensuring parents have a meaningful voice in their children’s education, while supporting the excellent teachers who make Santee schools strong. He is focused on preserving the quality schools that attracted his family to Santee, advancing academic excellence, investing in school safety, and ensuring the district operates with fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. He believes strong schools are built through a partnership among parents, teachers, and the community, with every decision centered on what is best for students.
He believes every decision should be guided by what is best for students and would be honored to serve the students, families, and taxpayers of the Santee School District.
A Parent Who Shows Up — and Follows Through
Steven Dobesh for Santee School District Board of Education
Santee, California
Paid for by Steven Dobesh Committee to Elect For Santee School Board 2026
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Steven Dobesh is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and veteran. Use of military titles, service references, uniforms, or photographs does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, U.S. Navy, or any other federal government agency