Statement: "Although funding for San Diego's schools has steadily increased, the students' scores have not improved," David King, president and CEO of San Diego Newsroom, wrote in a column published June 19.
Determination: False
Analysis: For more than a year, a coalition of philanthropists, parents, academics and business leaders have advocated for adding four appointed members to the San Diego Unified school board, which currently has five elected members. The coalition, San Diegans 4 Great Schools, says the current system of government is failing students at a great cost to taxpayers.
Everyone likes Bill Kowba.
That seems to be one of the few things almost all in the fractured San Diego Unified school system agree on. The superintendent has a spotless reputation and a workhorse schedule. He answers almost every email and keeps his door open. He has earned trust from staff and the board.
The only worry is Kowba may be too nice for the job. He is so skilled at defusing tensions that some critics fear he has shied away from confronting or even defining some of the district's problems.