SDUHSD candidates square off in forum

Allman, Sabellico address some of the pressing issues facing the district such as test scores, college admissions, free speech and more

Incumbent Mike Allman, left, and challenger Kevin Sabellico participated in a candidate’s forum on Monday in Del Mar for the Area 4 seat on the San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees. Steve Puterski photo

DEL MAR — Arguably the most heated race in North County was tempered for one night as two San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees candidates participated in a forum on Tuesday.

Incumbent Mike Allman and challenger Kevin Sabellico, who are running for Area 4, took on questions about issues facing the district such as teacher’s pay, banning books, college admissions, free speech on campus and more. The forum was at the Del Mar Community Powerhouse Center, emceed by the League of Women Voters and organized by Canyon Crest Academy students.

The two have also been engaged in litigation as Allman sued Sabellico in August for misleading voters on his ballot statement as Sabellico said he was an educator. A court ruled against Sabellico’s ballot designation, which was approved by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.

However, two complaints have been filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission against Allman. He admitted to one but has strenuously denied the other, which stems from running two Facebook ads without proper disclosures, according to The Coast News.

Regardless, the forum was respectful and tame as at least 70 people attended.

Allman stressed the importance of the board being nonpartisan and independent and not captured by a political party or agenda. He said in his four years on the board, he’s never mentioned a book ban, former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.

Allman said his focus is on keeping SDUHSD the best district in the state and improving on that success. He said those goals entail teacher compensation and supporting students, to name a few.

Sabellico said the board meetings have become a sideshow and he wants to make them boring and return to working for students, citing experience on the Carlsbad Planning Commission. He said while the commission faced tough decisions, the meetings were respectful, yet boring, as hardly anyone attended the meetings.