The candidates running for the SAUSD School Board in November

Three candidates have qualified to run for the SAUSD School Board, Area 4, in the November General Election. They are:

• Andrew Linares, an Attorney and Parent
• Katelyn Brazer Aceves, who says she is a Family Community Liaison but is actually a Regional Field Coordinator for CHIRLA (the The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights).
• and Sylvia Iglesias, who is running as a Parent/Administrative Manager. She works for the County of Orange.

We know Linares – he is very involved in community affairs in Santa Ana. Here is his candidate statement:

I’m a lifelong resident of Santa Ana. I came up through Santa Ana schools before serving in the Marines. I benefited from growing up in a home with an engaged parent where education was always apriority. After the Marines I earned a Juris Doctorate and returned to Santa Ana to begin my career as an attorney.
As a parent I understand the need to know that our kids are safe, that they’re learning and that our voices our heard. Only when you have all three will we have a district where our students want to learn and meaningfully participate in all aspects of their education.
Our children need to be prepared for life after graduation whether it’s a traditional four-year trajectory, vocational training or a path unique to that student. No two students are identical and a one size fits all approach to their futures cannot be the norm.
Through responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds and we can ensure every student in every school believes in and is prepared for their future. I believe that the measure of success for a district is whether it can propel our kids forward, rather than just get them through.

Here is Aceves’ candidate statement:

I am seeking your vote for Santa Ana Unified School District Boardof Trustees, Area 4.
I understand how important education is to our local families. I am a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s degree. I am passionate about investing in our youth so they can excel in education, career and life.
For the last 10 years, I have worked with educators, parents and students to facilitate countless educational workshops on resources for our students and families. As a Family Community Liaison with the Orange County Department of Education’s Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services, I work alongside teachers, school counselors and principals to provide families and students with interpretation services, food resources, school supplies and referrals to community services and programs.
I care a lot about students and families in Trustee Area 4. As a child,I grew up playing at Thornton Park with my grandmother. I recently bought a home in this area, where I live with my husband Fernando and Winston, our cat. Through my professional work and community involvement, I have interacted directly with many students andparents in Trustee Area 4 and have heard their concerns and aspirations for the future. I am committed to representing our local community as SAUSD Trustee and have the support of local leaders, including two Santa Ana School Board Trustees, Dr. Alfonso Alvarezand Dr. Rigo Rodriguez, and Vicente Sarmiento, Santa Ana Mayor.

Iglesias s the sister of former SAUSD Trustee Ceci Iglesias. Presumably Sylvia will focus on supporting charter schools as Ceci has for years. Here is her candidate statement:

I have lived in Trustee Area 4 for more than 40 years. I have been a resident of Windsor Village Neighborhood Association since the early 1990s. I am a proud product of the Santa Ana Public School system. Proud graduate of Valley High School. I obtained an AA Degree from Santa Ana College and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Cal State University-Fullerton.
I have over 28 years of public service experience with the Orange County Social Services Agency.
My interest is doing the best for our Student and Parent community, and I will put Students First with all of my votes.
On or before November 8, Vote for Sylvia Iglesias for SAUSD Trustee Area 4.

There was also a seat available in Area 5 of the SAUSD School Board but only one candidate pulled papers. This means that candidate, Hector Bustos, has essentially won the seat without facing any opposition. He says he is a Youth Nonprofit Director.

Aceves and Bustos are expected to support the movement to defund the Santa Ana School Police – opting instead to spend that budget on mental health programs.

Linares and Iglesias both support law enforcement.