Tim Dougherty (California)

Tim Dougherty is a member of the Poway Unified Board of Education in California, representing Trustee Area A. He assumed office on December 13, 2024. His current term ends on December 8, 2028.

Dougherty ran for election to the Poway Unified Board of Education to represent Trustee Area A in California. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Dougherty completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Tim Dougherty was born in New Jersey. He earned a bachelor's degree and a graduate from Lehigh University in 1997 and 2016, respectively. His career experience includes working as a senior vice president and adjunct professor. ^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A

Tim Dougherty defeated Devesh Vashishtha in the general election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Tim Dougherty (Nonpartisan)	55.1	10,063
	Devesh Vashishtha (Nonpartisan)	44.9	8,205

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,268
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dougherty in this election.

2020

General election

General election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A

Incumbent Darshana Patel defeated Tim Dougherty in the general election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Darshana Patel (Nonpartisan)	61.2	13,972
	Tim Dougherty (Nonpartisan)	38.8	8,870

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,842
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Tim Dougherty completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dougherty's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tim Dougherty has been a dedicated resident of San Diego for over 20 years, actively engaging with the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) as a parent and volunteer. With two children in the district, Tim has served in leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Park Village Elementary School Site Council and President of the PTA, where he has worked to develop effective policies and revitalize crucial enrichment programs. His deep ties to the community and understanding of local education issues inspired his 2020 run for the PUSD Area A Trustee seat.

As an executive in supply chain management, Tim brings extensive experience in managing large-scale budgets and strategic planning—skills vital for overseeing the district's financial health. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering from Lehigh University and has contributed to higher education as an adjunct professor and Advisory Board member at USD's School of Engineering.

Tim is committed to ensuring PUSD balances academic excellence with student well-being. As a longtime youth sports coach, he values extracurricular activities that foster discipline and confidence. Raised in a family dedicated to public service, Tim continues this tradition by serving on the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council and Planning Group. His commitment to fiscal responsibility, traditional values, and community engagement guides his vision for PUSD.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Academic Focus: I am dedicated to ensuring that every student in PUSD has access to a high-quality education that emphasizes rigorous academics, critical thinking, and creativity. This includes not only strong performance in traditional subjects like math, science, and language arts, but also the integration of arts, technology, and extracurricular activities. I believe that a well-rounded education, supported by passionate and skilled educators, is key to preparing our students for success in college, careers, and life.
Safety and Wellness: The safety and well-being of our students and teachers are top priorities for me. I will advocate for comprehensive policies that ensure a secure learning environment, focusing on physical safety measures as well as mental and emotional health support. This includes addressing issues such as bullying, online safety, physical fitness, and access to counseling services. By promoting sports and physical activities, we can enhance students' wellness, helping them thrive both academically and personally.
Fiscal Responsibility and Community Engagement: Managing the district's finances with transparency, accountability, and efficiency is essential to me. I will ensure that every dollar spent is maximized for the benefit of our students and classrooms. This includes careful budgeting and reallocating resources to impactful programs. My experience with the PTA has shown me the power of community engagement, and I am committed to involving parents, businesses, and local organizations to support our schools and ensure that financial decisions are made with the community's best interests in mind.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about education policy, particularly in fostering academic excellence while balancing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of students. I believe in rigorous curriculum standards paired with diverse extracurricular and wellness opportunities that support the whole student. California’s education policy is always evolving, especially regarding teacher standards, parents’ rights, and funding. My experience in both industry and education will be invaluable as these changes unfold. Drawing from my roles on the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council, Planning Group, and my experience as PTA President, I prioritize community engagement with policy, working with parents, businesses, and local organizations to support our schools

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

A book that reflects my political philosophy is "Inside American Education" by Thomas Sowell. Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, is a renowned economist and social theorist who has written extensively on education, economics, and public policy. In this work, he offers a critical analysis of the American education system, highlighting the decline in academic standards and the growing influence of bureaucracy. His focus on accountability, high expectations, and rigorous academic standards aligns with my belief that education should prioritize student achievement and practical results. Like Sowell, I believe schools must focus on delivering quality education and ensuring that resources are used efficiently to benefit students.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe that integrity, transparency, and accountability are key traits for any elected official. Integrity ensures decisions are made with the community’s best interests at heart. Transparency helps build trust by keeping people informed about how and why decisions are made. Accountability means taking responsibility for actions, especially when managing public resources.

Along with these values, I think being practical and solution-oriented is crucial. An elected official should focus on finding workable solutions, not just talking about problems. Listening and engaging with the community is also essential. Elected officials need to connect with the people they represent, hear their concerns, and involve them in decisions.

In my roles as Chairperson of the Park Village Elementary School Site Council, PTA President, and as a Board Member of the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council, I’ve seen how important these principles are. I've worked hard to stay transparent with parents and teachers, be accountable when handling funds for school programs, and always focus on finding practical solutions to improve our schools. For me, leadership is about bringing people together and making decisions that truly benefit the community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe my combination of leadership experience, community involvement, and a data-driven approach make me a strong candidate for office. As a longtime volunteer in the PUSD community, I’ve worked directly with teachers, administrators, and parents to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. This hands-on experience has given me insight into the day-to-day needs of students, staff, and the community.

My background as an executive in supply chain management has taught me to balance complex budgets, make strategic decisions, and lead teams to meet ambitious goals. These skills are directly applicable to managing the financial and operational aspects of the school district. I also bring accountability and transparency to every role I take on, ensuring that the community remains informed and engaged.

Additionally, my experience as a PTA President and School Site Council Chairperson demonstrates my commitment to listening to the community, understanding their concerns, and working collaboratively to find solutions. I also have a passion for education, having taught both at the K-12 level and as an adjunct professor, which helps me understand the perspective of educators and the importance of academic excellence.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A school board member’s core responsibility is to ensure that students receive a high-quality, academically focused education that prepares them for college, careers, and life. This means prioritizing core subjects like math, science, reading, and writing, and ensuring that district policies maintain academic rigor. Additionally, a board member must act as a steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring resources are spent wisely, without waste, and always with a focus on improving educational outcomes.

It’s important to understand that a trustee’s role is to govern alongside the board by setting policies and strategic goals, not to manage the district's day-to-day operations. Trustees must respect the authority of the board’s collective decisions and focus on high-level governance, rather than micromanaging. Local control over education is crucial, ensuring that parents and community members have a voice in what’s taught in schools. Trustees should ensure that the curriculum reflects the values of the community while maintaining focus on student achievement.

Lastly, board members must work to provide safe environments for students, where discipline, personal responsibility, and character-building through activities like sports are prioritized.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I would like to leave is one of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. Specifically, I want to see state test scores rise above 2019 levels, reflecting a strong recovery and improvement in student achievement. My goal is to leave the district with a 20% reserve level, ensuring long-term financial stability, and to have school facilities on the road to refurbishment, addressing the critical infrastructure needs that impact the learning environment.

I have zero aspirations for further political office—my sole focus is on improving local education and serving the families, students, and teachers of PUSD. I want to be remembered as someone who worked tirelessly to ensure that every decision was made with students' best interests in mind, prioritizing their safety, academic growth, and overall well-being.

In the end, I want my legacy to reflect a district that is financially sound, academically strong, and physically prepared for the future, with a community that worked together to achieve these goals.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was picking weeds in garden beds for my family's second generation retail garden center business. I was 10 years old. I worked there through high school after school and in the summers.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The Covid experience.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a school board member is to ensure that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for both college and the workforce. This means setting clear policies that emphasize academic excellence and ensuring that the district provides a rigorous curriculum in core subjects like math, science, and language arts. Board members are also responsible for maintaining fiscal accountability, making sure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently on programs that directly benefit students.

Additionally, school board members must ensure that schools remain safe and structured environments, where students are encouraged to take responsibility and grow academically and personally. A key responsibility is ensuring that parents and the community have a voice in the decision-making process. I have a long history of being involved in our community, from my work with the PTA to the Town Council, and I’ve always valued the importance of engaging parents, businesses, and residents in shaping the future of our schools.

Finally, a school board member’s role is to govern alongside the board, setting policies and goals, not managing the day-to-day operations of the district. It’s about setting the vision for the district and holding leadership accountable for achieving that vision.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are the students, parents, teachers, and community members within the Poway Unified School District, particularly those in Trustee Area A. This includes families with children currently in the school system, as well as residents who may no longer have children in school but still care deeply about the success of our schools and the impact it has on our community. Strong schools help maintain property values, ensure a thriving local economy, and improve the overall quality of life for everyone in the district.

It’s important to remember that my role is to represent and balance the interests of all stakeholders—students, parents, educators, and local businesses—ensuring that their voices are heard and reflected in the decisions made at the district level. I believe in the importance of listening to and engaging with the broader community to ensure that policies benefit everyone, not just those currently directly involved in the school system.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Supporting the varied needs of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community starts with listening and engagement. It’s essential to actively listen to each group to understand their unique challenges and address their specific needs. However, I also recognize that there are trade-offs between time, cost, and quality when making decisions, so it’s crucial to implement targeted approaches that efficiently meet the most pressing needs while balancing available resources.

For students, this means ensuring access to high-quality academic programs and extracurricular activities while also providing targeted support services for those who need additional help, such as tutoring or counseling. For faculty and staff, it involves creating opportunities for professional development that enhance teaching quality without disrupting classroom time. I believe in offering focused solutions that balance maintaining high academic standards with the realities of budget constraints.

Through my long-standing involvement with the PTA, school site councils, and the Town Council, I’ve seen how critical it is to engage parents, local businesses, and other community members in decision-making. Each group brings different priorities and perspectives, and by considering those, we can allocate resources efficiently to create policies that deliver the greatest impact, ensuring both students and staff are supported.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

Building relationships with the broader community starts with a focus on collaboration. My 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and my work as an educator have allowed me to establish valuable connections across San Diego County, which I plan to leverage for the benefit of our students. I will work closely with local businesses, not only to secure donations but to develop partnerships that provide students with real-world opportunities such as internships, mentorships, and career training. These businesses can offer insight into the skills needed in today’s workforce, helping the district better prepare students for life after school.

In addition to businesses, I will target community organizations, local chambers of commerce, and school foundations to collaborate on projects that enhance educational outcomes. My long-standing involvement with the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council has shown me the value of community partnerships and how they can bring new resources into schools.

By building these relationships, we can create a support network that not only benefits students but also strengthens the community.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Good teaching combines subject expertise with the ability to engage students, closely following the curriculum while incorporating the teacher’s own personality to make learning more relatable. Building a strong rapport with students is key to fostering a positive learning environment and encouraging a love for learning.

I would measure teaching effectiveness through student outcomes, peer evaluations, and feedback from students and parents. Supporting advanced teaching approaches means offering professional development opportunities, including mentorship and training in project-based learning and technology integration, allowing teachers to innovate while staying aligned with the curriculum.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Expanding STEM education and career technical training is critical to preparing students for today’s job market. Programs in coding, engineering, and robotics can give students practical, in-demand skills. Introducing digital literacy and citizenship, particularly with the rise of AI, will equip students to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Additionally, I believe in offering students a deeper understanding of American capitalism, connecting classroom learning with real-world economics and careers. By establishing co-op programs with local companies, we can offer hands-on experiences that prepare students for the workforce. Expanding arts and entrepreneurship education will also help develop creativity and problem-solving skills, ensuring students are well-rounded and ready for higher education and professional careers.

It's important that the curriculum adheres to board policies and remains focused on education, without unnecessary distractions, ensuring students are prepared for success in an increasingly competitive world.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

With the district expected to deficit spend $86 million from 2023 to 2027, we must accept the reality that revenue may worsen rather than improve. For too long, the district has pointed out flaws in a revenue system that partisan politicians are unlikely to change. It’s time to play the game with the rules we have and focus on strategic solutions.

The short-term cuts have already been decided by the current board, but moving forward, we need a medium-term plan to evaluate all programs. Those that aren’t delivering sufficient value should be restructured or eliminated, ensuring resources are allocated to initiatives that directly benefit students.

For the long term, we need modest expense increases that align with worst-case scenario revenue projections. This will help build a financial reserve to protect against future shortfalls, with the discipline to stick to this plan despite challenges.

Additionally, we should strengthen partnerships with local businesses and pursue grant opportunities to bring in additional resources. We could also explore using unused district land for revenue-generating projects or affordable housing for teachers, helping to alleviate financial pressures while supporting key district goals.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

The key principles that drive my policies for school safety are prevention, preparedness, and measurable results. Schools must be proactive in implementing preventative measures such as anti-bullying policies, digital safety education, and physical safety protocols. Ensuring that staff, teachers, and students are trained to address potential threats is essential.

The district has already identified Priority 1 Safety Facility Projects through its assessment, and I believe these projects should be fully funded and completed immediately. As the leader of our school’s safety committee through the School Site Council, I’ve worked closely with teachers and administrators to address safety concerns on the ground, giving me firsthand experience in handling both physical safety and wellness.

Safety should be measured through audits and objective assessments, not just surveys. It’s not enough to ask whether students feel safe—we need to ensure they are safe. Addressing mental and emotional safety is also critical, and by fostering engagement through academics, extracurriculars, and active participation, we help create a secure environment where students can thrive both physically and mentally.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Supporting mental health requires a holistic approach that integrates both physical and emotional well-being. Schools should create a culture that promotes wellness and safety as interconnected goals. From my experience leading our safety committee, I understand the importance of viewing safety as not just physical security, but also fostering an environment where mental health is prioritized.

For students, mental wellness starts at home, and schools should work closely with parents to create healthy environments. Promoting engagement through academics, sports, and extracurriculars helps keep students focused and reduces stress. For faculty and staff, it’s vital to actively listen to teachers and administrators to ensure they are supported and to prevent burnout. Offering resources for mental health, as well as providing opportunities for professional development, will help retain talent and prevent losing teachers to other districts or professions.

A strong mental health strategy that includes support, open dialogue, and active engagement will create an environment where both students and staff can thrive.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Michael Sovacool, Orange Glen High School, Social Science Teacher

San Diego Asian Americans for Equality

Rodger Dohm, PUSD Engineering Academy Teacher, Head Coach Poway Robotics - Team Spyder 1622, Ramona Unified School District Board Trustee

Phan Anderson, San Dieguito Union High School District, Trustee Area 5

Michael Allman, San Dieguito Union High School District, Trustee Area 4

Frank Xu, Co-Founder San Diego Asian Americans for Equality, Parents Rights Advocate

Dave Nelson, PUSD Board of Education Area B Candidate 2022

Kristie Bruce-Lane, CA State Assembly District 76 Candidate

Carl DeMaio, CA State Assembly District 75 Candidate

Reform California

The Republican Party of San Diego

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

My ideal learning environment centers on academic excellence while supporting students' overall development. This means maintaining rigorous academic standards in a safe, structured, and supportive setting. Classrooms should encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, with teachers adapting to different learning styles and providing individualized support.

Students should have access to extracurricular activities like sports, arts, and clubs, which build discipline and self-confidence. Traditional learning should be balanced with newer digital tools and concepts, ensuring students are equipped with both foundational skills and modern technological literacy. Additionally, addressing the district’s facilities issues is essential to providing a learning environment that supports academic success.

Site leaders must be empowered to develop the individuality and culture of each school, allowing for innovation and a distinct school identity, while still adhering to district policies to maintain consistency and accountability across the board. Technology should enhance learning without distraction, and students should take responsibility for their education through hands-on projects and real-world applications.

In this environment, high expectations are balanced with the necessary support systems to help every student succeed.

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

The district's handling of the pandemic had both strengths and significant shortcomings. While the district did move to reopen elementary schools sooner than some others, it still missed opportunities to advocate more strongly for in-person learning for all students. Early on, it became clear that children were the least likely to contract, spread, or suffer from COVID-19, and schools were among the safest places for them to be. At the very least, students who wanted to attend school in person should have had that option across all grade levels.

Despite the pressures to follow state and county guidelines, the district should have challenged those mandates more vocally. As a board member, I would have fought harder for students, even if it meant sleeping at the county office in protest. During my 2020 run, I consistently advocated for reopening schools, understanding the detrimental effects of prolonged closures on academic progress and mental health.

The learning loss we are now seeing was predicted, and we are still feeling the effects years later. A stronger focus on early intervention could have helped mitigate these long-term consequences. Moving forward, we must prioritize keeping schools open and have a robust, data-driven emergency preparedness plan that balances public health with the educational and emotional needs of students.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Building strong relationships with parents has been a priority for me throughout my years of volunteering and leadership in the district. As PTA President, Site Council Chairperson, and a long-time parent volunteer, I have spent years working side by side with parents, listening to their concerns and collaborating to improve our schools. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of what parents care about most—ensuring their children receive a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment.

To continue fostering this relationship, I will hold weekly office hours so parents can easily access me to share concerns or ideas. Additionally, I will host regular town halls and forums, both in person and virtually, to keep parents informed and engaged in district decisions. I believe that by maintaining open lines of communication, we can build a genuine partnership between parents and the school district.

Parents are critical stakeholders in our district, and their involvement is essential to student success. I’m committed to ensuring that parents have a strong voice in shaping the future of our schools.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

For many years, PUSD had a strong legacy that attracted some of the best teachers in the county. However, in recent years, leadership challenges have caused that attraction to wane. To restore PUSD as a district where top talent wants to work, we need to address these leadership issues and build a culture where teachers and staff feel supported and valued.

Offering improved starting salaries is important, but it must be balanced with timely and accountable performance reviews before teachers reach tenure. Ensuring that high standards are met will benefit both students and teachers, fostering a professional environment focused on growth and excellence. Recognizing and rewarding strong performance will help retain top talent.

We can also look for creative solutions to support our teachers. For example, we could explore the possibility of using unused PUSD land to build affordable housing for starting teachers. This would not only help attract educators to the district but also alleviate the burden of high housing costs, which is a major concern for many new teachers in the region.

Another strategy is to tap into the new initiative coming down from the state to start training teachers at the high school level, creating a pipeline of well-prepared future educators. Building relationships with local universities and education programs will also help us recruit well-qualified candidates committed to maintaining the district’s high standards.

By addressing leadership issues, improving compensation, providing performance accountability, and exploring housing options, we can once again make PUSD a destination for top educators.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that financial transparency and government accountability are essential to maintaining public trust, especially in education. Taxpayers, including older community members who may no longer have children in school, deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent and how those expenditures benefit the broader community. Strong schools not only support students but also help maintain property values and the overall quality of life in the area. This means that everyone, regardless of whether they have children in the district, has a stake in the success of our schools.

I support clear and accessible financial reporting that details how funds are allocated and how those decisions impact educational outcomes. As someone with extensive experience managing large-scale budgets, I understand the importance of ensuring that every dollar is used efficiently and effectively. Accountability means that elected officials must be held responsible for their decisions and the results they produce. This is especially important when it comes to managing public resources. School districts should regularly evaluate programs to ensure they are delivering value, and officials must be open to making changes when necessary to improve efficiency and outcomes.

I’m committed to ensuring that the community has access to transparent, data-driven reports and that decision-makers are held accountable for delivering results that benefit both students and the broader community.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Tim Dougherty did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 8, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 8, 2024

[1]

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Tim Dougherty (California)

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A

Endorsements

2020

General election

General election for Poway Unified Board of Education Trustee Area A

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2020

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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