Independent Businesswoman & Community Volunteer Alicia Rico has lived in Eastside Stockton for over 30 years[1] and is the mother of five children attending SUSD schools.[2] By day, she is an independent businesswoman whose work includes beauty and cosmetics consulting.[3] Rico has experience as a community volunteer and has served on School Site Councils and English Language Advisory Committees at three SUSD schools, holding positions as secretary, vice-president, and president. She has also served on the districtwide SUSD Parent Advisory Council and the District English Language Advisory Committee. Rico’s campaign to represent Trustee Area 3 is her second and follows an unsuccessful 2016 candidacy that included a push to improve campus safety and bring better opportunities for parents, students, teachers and district employees.[4] As a new school board member, Rico says she will be committed to ensuring student's academic, social, and emotional success by providing the resources needed to graduate high school and be college and career ready. She is focused on aligning school budgets to the success of all students by providing the necessary instruction, intervention, and support needed during and after school. Additional priorities that Rico has highlighted include: My focus is to assure that the school budget is aligned to the success of all students by providing the necessary instruction, intervention and support needed during and after school. I’m committed to working [...]

Parish Administrator & Youth Minister[1] Gabriel Casillas is a Stockton native and husband[2] who works as a parish administrator and youth minister at St. Bernadette’s Church.[3] In addition to his work with the Church, Casillas is active in Stockton charities and is a firm believer in serving others with zeal and compassion. Casillas says he is running to represent Trustee Area 4 because he believes the school board is divided and must reunify, work together, and place student needs first. He also believes that Stockton must do more to prepare and protect youth from the many challenges and negative influences of our current society. He believes public educational institutions are the cornerstones of society and have the ability to truly mold the future of communities.[4] Additional priorities that Casillas has identified include: Addressing obstacles students face outside the classroom -- including broken home environments, lack of basic resources, mental health issues, and influences that can lead to criminal behavior. Thinking beyond the academic -- to prepare students to be ethical, free thinking, happy, and healthy individuals. Leaving no students behind -- by providing outlets and resources to help all students who are struggling, and by not labeling students “troubled” or “bad.” Going beyond college preparation -- and preparing students to be successful in all aspects of life.   Sources:  [1] Photo Source: “Gabriel Casillas For [...]

Education Support Services Entrepreneur Ray Zulueta, Jr., is a fourth generation Stocktonian, husband, and father of three.[1] Zulueta and his siblings each attended Nightingale Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Franklin High School in Stockton, and both his mother and grandmother were employed by SUSD. Zulueta graduated from the University of the Pacific with a degree in communication and media studies in 2013. He proceeded to hold various jobs, including as a project coordinator with the NAACP,[2] that he says led him to realize his passion for education.[3] Today, he owns an educational support services business that serves the Stockton community. Zulueta has said that his experience meeting with administrators, teachers, parents, and students has revealed that members of the SUSD community do not feel heard or connected. As a new school board member representing Trustee Area 4, he promises to hear and connect the community. Additional priorities that Zulueta has highlighted include: Promoting technical education and craftsmanship in schools - by bringing back classes like woodshop, engineering and agriculture. Expanding resources to support the expression of cultural identity - by growing access to counselors, interventions, and spaces to allow students to express who they are. Community policing and outreach - that supports building positive relationships, without but does defunding the police. Restorative justice practices - to inform staff on culturally supportive best practices. Frequent sanitation of [...]

Peer Recovery Coach Patricia Barrett is a peer recovery coach campaigning to represent Trustee Area 1 on Stockton’s school board. In March 2020, she campaigned unsuccessfully to represent Stockton City Council District 6.[1] Barrett does not appear to have filed a candidate statement,[2] nor does she appear to operate a website or social media profile associated with her campaign. She shared her top priorities with VotersEdge.org as the following: Oversee that every student receives an education to their level of learning to ensure all teachers and parents have a strong ear to listen to encourage a superintentent to continue for years with transperancy and support to maintain a super school district Candidate registration filings indicate that Barrett can be contacted via email at patriciabarrett2020@hotmail.com for more information regarding her campaign.[3]   Sources: [1] “Crowded Candidate Field For All Three Open Stockton Unified Board Seats,” 209 Politics, August 7, 2020. [2] “Candidate Statements,” San Joaquin County Registrar Of Voters. [3] “Candidate Contact List,” San Joaquin County Registrar Of Voters.