Nina Haines has the experience to prepare Escondido students for what’s next!

Nina Haines is a small business owner and financial professional who has spent decades managing organizations, balancing budgets, leading employees, and solving real-world problems. Now, she wants to put that experience to work for Escondido students.

Nina understands that the responsibility of a school district extends beyond helping students earn a diploma. Schools should prepare young people for what comes after graduation, whether their next step is a four-year university, community college, a skilled trade, entrepreneurship, or entering the workforce.

That perspective comes directly from Nina’s own professional experience.

Since 2012, Nina has served as President of Assisting Hands Home Care Rancho Bernardo, a home care company serving seniors and individuals with limited physical abilities throughout San Diego County. Nina helped start the franchise and today oversees six managers and more than 60 caregivers.

Running a small business has given Nina firsthand experience with the skills people need to succeed in the workplace. She understands the importance of communication, responsibility, problem-solving, technology, teamwork, and having the confidence to adapt as industries and opportunities change.

Her experience also gives her a strong foundation for one of the School Board’s most important responsibilities: overseeing public resources responsibly.

Before and alongside becoming a business owner, Nina built an extensive career in accounting and financial management. She has served as a Controller for businesses and nonprofit organizations, overseeing financial statements, budgets, audits, policies, procedures, payroll, expenses, and staff. She has helped launch new companies and worked with organizations ranging from small businesses to major national operations.

At the Remington Club, a large senior living community, Nina helped manage an operation that grew from $18 million to $26 million in annual revenue. Her responsibilities included operating and capital budgets, financial reporting, expense management, audits, purchasing, and finding opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining operations.

That experience taught Nina that a budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Responsible financial management means establishing clear priorities, asking difficult questions, measuring results, eliminating unnecessary costs, and making sure limited resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.

Nina wants to bring that same practical approach to the Escondido Union High School District.

She believes strong schools begin with strong academics and literacy while also recognizing that students have different talents, interests, and goals. Nina wants to expand opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, career technical education, and the skilled trades while strengthening connections with local employers that can provide students with mentorships, internships, and exposure to potential careers.

She also believes students learn best when they feel safe and supported. Nina will prioritize communication among students, parents, teachers, and district leadership while supporting both physical safety and student wellness.

For Nina, these priorities are connected by a simple goal: when an Escondido student walks across the stage at graduation, that diploma should represent genuine preparation for what comes next.

Grounded in decades of experience as a small business owner and financial professional, Nina Haines is running to bring real-world experience, responsible financial oversight, and a focus on career and college readiness to the Escondido Union High School District Board.