The Sweetwater Union High School District has three candidates running for seat No. 2 on the five-member board and four candidates seeking seat No. 4.

District trustees oversee an annual budget of about $348 million for 23 middle and high schools and numerous alternative schools.

For the past eight years, the district has pushed college preparation through its Compact for Success with San Diego State University, which guarantees college admission to Sweetwater graduates who meet academic requirements. District leaders have spoken more recently about revamping career technical education to prepare students for a future that may not involve college.

We asked the candidates questions about the Chula Vista-based school district.

QUESTION: Has the district been a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, both in day-to-day operations and in the building program funded by Proposition BB, the $187 million bond measure passed by voters eight years ago?

Stephanie Alcaraz: Yes.

Bertha Lopez: No. I believe that some administrators who are not proven instructional leaders need to be trained and supported to succeed. Until those administrators have the skills to lead their schools, support their staff and understand the academic needs of their students, Sweetwater will continue misusing millions of dollars on legacy hires. With regards to Proposition BB, how was the building of gymnasiums before building science labs for our students justifiable? If you look at the schools in Sweetwater and Proposition BB expenditures, people ask, “Is this the best the district could have done on behalf of students?”

Jaime Mercado: Yes. Our district received commendation from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. We aggressively leveraged $187 million into $320 million for school modernization by finishing the projects 11 years ahead of schedule and by obtaining over $60 million in matching funds.

Lorenzo Provencio: Proposition BB was passed to upgrade classrooms and school buildings. However, some of the money was used to build two gyms prior to upgrading classrooms. This did not sit well with voters who were sold on classrooms first. They were irresponsible in this manner. A second bond election was passed to complete building upgrades and have not been completed in a timely fashion.

Pearl Quiñones: Yes. We were able to leverage the $187 million with matching state money to give voters $320 million worth of construction projects. We finished 11 years ahead of schedule.

Gabriel Rodriguez: My opponent spent over $21,000 of taxpayer dollars in travel expenses in the last three and a half years. I believe this to be excessive. The district has misspent some of Proposition BB funds. Simply look at the quality of construction at some of the school sites. Most people would agree that we did not get our money's worth. With my help and my business background, I would help SUHSD better spend monies allocated to the district.

QUESTION: What do you hope to accomplish as a board member to improve Sweetwater schools?

Stephanie Alcaraz: (A) To improve the number of students graduating from high school. Find the cause of the problem for high school dropouts and work for solutions to assist those students. (B) That the Sweetwater district reaches its highest potential as an academic institution.

Bertha Lopez: I intend to close the achievement gap that persists for students, including English-language learners and special-needs students. This achievement gap is prevalent in all schools and not just in the lower socio-economic communities.

Jaime Mercado: Build a world-class vocational/career education center for students who don't attend college; increase high school graduation rate and college enrollment rate; save taxpayers' money by completing Proposition O school modernization ahead of schedule; keep student programs intact during this budget crisis.

Lorenzo Provencio: Completion of renovation of classrooms and school facilities. Monitor and ensure completion in a timely manner. The most pressing educational problem in the district is accountability of the administration to be sure that teachers have the proper supplies and materials to do a better job with the curriculum. School site and classroom visitation. Teacher, staff and parent communication. Monitoring of school district finances to ensure proper utilization. Review, inspect and compare approved budget to actual expenditures.

Pearl Quiñones: We have done a great job creating opportunities for students to attend four-year universities. Now my goal is to provide our students with career choices. That's why we are embarking on a high school redesign to give students career options while still in school. We have to transform today's education to prepare our students for the jobs of the future. We are going to create opportunities for students who want to enter trades or careers. Each of our high schools already has some kind of career pathway for students to pursue. We want to increase those offerings.

Gabriel Rodriguez: I will bring accountability and unity to board and staff. It is appalling to see some board members' behavior during meetings and how the meetings are run under the presidency of my opponent. In regards to facilities, I will push for equity to balance the west and east sides of Chula Vista, as well as other schools in the district that need upgrades. I will work with board members and staff to find pathways for students' academic needs and wants. For example, building a trade school in the district will help many students achieve their immediate goals.

STEPHANIE ALCARAZ

Age: 61

Residence: Chula Vista

Community involvement: Tutoring high-risk students with special needs; volunteering in school nurse offices to update student files; donating time, food, clothes and money to developmentally disabled children.

Occupation: Licensed vocational nurse, substitute school nurse.

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of San Diego; nursing license, Fresno City College.

Statement of candidacy: I want to promote and establish educational programs to reduce the high incidence of teen pregnancies and substance abuse and to educate students on the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation.

BERTHA LOPEZ

Age: 54

Residence: Bonita

Community involvement: AYSO Soccer; Girls Scouts; PTA president; Selective Service local board; Advisory Committee to the San Diego County superintendent; California School Boards Association delegate; Puente mentor; county School Boards Association.

Occupation: Teacher, elementary district school board member.

Education: Bachelor's degree, teaching credential, UCSD; bilingual cross-cultural credential, San Diego State University.

Statement of candidacy: Together we can strive for academic excellence. Educating children is my number one priority. I will bring teamwork, integrity, leadership and results to the Sweetwater Union High School District.

TRINA LOPEZ

Is not campaigning for the seat and says she will not serve if elected.

JAIME MERCADO

Age: 64

Residence: Bonita

Community involvement: Board member for Salvation Army, Imperial Beach Health Clinic, Chicano Federation and Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee; San Diego County Economic Opportunity Commission; San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission.

Occupation: Retired principal, board member.

Education: Master's degree, teaching credential, bachelor's degree, San Diego State University; associate's degree, Southwestern College.

Statement of candidacy: Build a world-class vocational/career education center for students who don't attend college; increase high school graduation and college enrollment rates; be taxpayers' watchdog during Proposition O construction.

LORENZO PROVENCIO

Age: 74

Residence: Imperial Beach

Community involvement: San Diego Crime Commission, past president; PTA, Parkview Elementary; Boys & Girls Club; Kiwanis past lieutenant governor; Elks; VFW; Fleet Reserve Association; Shriners; National Latino Peace Officers Association, parliamentarian.

Occupation: Retired teacher.

Education: Master's degree, bachelor's degree, San Diego State University.

Statement of candidacy: Lorenzo works well with people. Lorenzo believes children are our most vital resources. Lorenzo pledges to never let this resource be wasted, to effectively deal with problems and increase learning.

PEARL QUINONES

Age: 54

Residence: National City

Community involvement: Community Youth Athletic Center, board member; Border View YMCA, board member; National Hispana Leadership Institute, Executive Training Program graduate, one of 22 women nationwide; California School Board Association delegate; NALEO California Health Leadership Program.

Occupation: Dropout-prevention specialist.

Education: Master's degree, bachelor's degree, San Diego State University

Statement of candidacy: Re-elect Pearl Quiñones, Sweetwater Union High School District board of trustees, seat No. 2.

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ

Age: 47

Residence: Chula Vista

Community involvement: South Bay Little League baseball coach and board member of Bonita AYSO soccer league.

Occupation: Mortgage broker.

Education: Attended National University, Southwestern College.

Statement of candidacy: I will provide quality leadership that respects and listens to students, parents, teachers and staff. I will promote academic excellence and high academic achievement, and assure fiscal responsibility.