VUSD Board Announces Trustee Area 4 Board Seat Candidates

By Ayla Ozturk

On October 26th, the Visalia Unified School District [VUSD] Board of Education announced the candidates to fill Mr. John Crabtree’s board seat.

Visalia is divided into different sections or areas, each of them having an elected representative on the school board.

Mr. Crabtree represented Trustee Area 4, so the candidates must come from that area.

Area 4 [pictured to the left] is currently the largest district both geographically and population-wise.

Area 4 includes the majority of Visalia’s rural areas, which is why it is bigger geographically compared to the other areas.

The applicant chosen will represent a large area with many cultures and backgrounds.

The Board has chosen for 9 applicants to continue to the interviewing stage.

The candidates are as follows; David Alviso, Brent Amos, Erik Anderson, Catalina Blair, Clinton Cain, Brittany Christenson, Juan Lopez, Todd Oto, and Crystal Reynolds.

Brent Amos

Brent Amos attended VUSD schools since he was an elementary student until graduating from Mt. Whitney High School.

He has two children in VUSD schools, one in middle school and another in high school.

According to his application, Amos is a local community banker. He feels this allows him to see “how diverse the community is” and “how important our educational institutions are” to the area.

His financial experience has given him skills in financial analysis and budgeting.

He has experience working with people of various backgrounds, teaching him “to be patient and a listener”.

He feels that it is important to listen more than speak when making decisions.

Amos’ experiences helped him develop a passion for “knowledge and continued self-improvement”. He feels this passion can help him as a member of the Board.

He mentions that being the parent of an autistic child has given him an appreciation for how excellent VUSD’s teachers are in his application. He wants to support their success as well as “the success of every student”.

He believes that education is “vitally important” for the health and prosperity of the community. In his eyes, students’ education, safety, and success should be the most important to the district.

“The past couple of years have been very challenging and I think the Board has faced a series of unknowns very admirably. It must have been exhausting work.  I wanted to give back, if possible, to a system that has given me so much.” Amos states.

He is not seeking the position with any agenda. His goal is to be a “thoughtful member” of the Board and aid in “providing the best education” for students and the “highest level of support” for the staff of VUSD.

He feels that the process has been “very smooth” so far and is excited to interview tomorrow when the Board will interview each applicant then select a candidate to fill the seat.

Catalina Blair

Catalina Blair applied for the seat due to her “love for this [VUSD] community” and “deep care for our students”.

Born and raised in Visalia, Blair graduated from Golden West High School and chose to stay in her “beloved community of Visalia”.

She decided to attend the College of the Sequoias to earn the credits needed to become a lead preschool teacher.

She has three children in VUSD, a daughter in eighth grade, another in fourth grade, and a son in sixth grade at Oak Grove School.

Blair expresses, “I have a great relationship with students, parents, and staff in our school district and would love to be a listening ear always seeking their input if I was to be a board member. I want to be an advocate for our children and our schools.”

She “cares deeply” about the families she has worked with over the years and that her experiences allowed for it.

As a teacher at Christ Kids Preschool, Blair feels she worked with a team that taught her “valuable lessons” about the workplace, children, and family.

She taught from 1999 until she became a parent in 2008, which has been her “greatest joy and passion”.

She feels that her experiences will benefit her as a board member, as she was able to “participate in and lead events that built into the culture and connectivity” of the VUSD community.

Blair loves volunteering in classrooms and greatly appreciates teachers. In addition, she is also involved in activities at her church.

In her application she states, “In every assignment I have, whether paid or volunteer, I ask myself two questions, ‘What can I give?’ and ‘What can I learn?’ I believe these questions are vital to who I am, in that I love to give and I love to learn.”

She has the “greatest fondness” for learning, growing, being a valuable part of a team, and making others’ lives better.

Blair acknowledges that the district has faced many “ongoing and upcoming challenges”. She wants to be a “fresh pair of eyes” and a part of a team of board members who “care to serve families and schools”.

She thinks the process is “fair and wise”, as it must be very public. “It makes sense that the applications would be available to the public and the interviews would be public as well,” she states.

Brittany Christenson

Brittany Christenson is a VUSD parent who cares about not only her own kids but all of VUSD’s students. She wants to make sure that students have the “best possible opportunities for success and achievement”.

Her children are in first and third grade, she has nieces and nephews in the district as well. Her family is active in the community and “has roots” here in Visalia.

Christenson feels that families deserve to have their concerns acknowledged and addressed. She desires to “help the district reconnect with and meet the needs of its students and their families”. She is dedicated to helping VUSD “succeed and be exceptional”.

“There is a significant disconnect between our district and its stakeholder community at the moment. Many people are unhappy. I first noticed this in March 2020, when I began personally reaching out to the district”. Christenson states.

Since then, she has done whatever she could to help families get involved in the process of interacting with the Board and district leadership, including giving public comments at board meetings and researching issues facing the community.

She also started a social media group for the VUSD community that now has 4,500 members.

Being involved matters to Christenson, she has been involved in PTA [Parent Teacher Association], assisted in school activities, and volunteered in classrooms.

She feels that she is “up to speed” on issues facing VUSD.

She thinks that VUSD is “struggling to effectively engage” with its community and feels that VUSD is made up of a diverse group with diverse needs.

She believes that the Board needs to find more effective ways to reach out to the community, solicit student and family input, and consider said input when making important decisions, as students and their families feel the impact firsthand.

In addition, she feels that the Board “absolutely needs” a parent and family perspective, and she would like to help them achieve that.

She also wants to bring back student events such as dances, carnivals, fundraisers, and assemblies to make school “enriching and enjoyable beyond academics”.

Christenson thinks that filling the seat is a “strenuous process” and a “tremendously important decision”.

“I’m excited to get the chance to answer questions and give the board an idea of who I am and what I hope to help the district achieve,” she states.

Todd Oto

Todd Oto worked for VUSD for over 30 years as a teacher and eventually, the Superintendent.

He applied for the position because he feels his experience as an educator would be useful to the Board as he has an understanding of the “technical, organizational and community interests” that influence VUSD and its schools.

Oto feels that the school board is an “essential part of our district” and requires good “governance and leadership”.

He has worked in schools for his adult life and has seen that the most important thing in shaping the quality of life in a community is good schools.

“I have always liked working with and for kids, and being a board member for VUSD would be a great privilege and another way to serve students and our community,” he states.

He believes that having “good teachers, support staff, and administrators working with parents and the community in the best interest of students” is VUSD’s strong point.

He thinks the district could be stronger by engaging more “cohesive leadership at all levels” and “focused on student achievement and success”.

Oto feels he would bring experience in school operation, teaching, and leadership if selected for the seat.

He has a doctorate in Educational Leadership and feels this “adds depth” to his experience.

In his application, he states, “The highest priority for growth is always student achievement, and the greatest need in this is ensuring access to high-quality educational experiences for all students at all levels.”

Oto believes that the process recognizes the importance of transparency in selecting a new board member.

He feels that the Board is providing clarity for the residents of Area 4 and the applicants. They are making a decision usually reserved for voters and Oto thinks that the process reflects the transparency that comes with it.

David Alviso

We were unable to get a direct comment from Mr. Alviso, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Cain, Dr. Lopez, and Ms. Reynolds. However, their applications are public.

David Alviso has run for the Area 4 seat in the past. He worked as a credentialed teacher and is active in LDS [Latter Day Saints] church youth and adult activities.

He is also involved in many non-profit groups and currently works for CSET-Employment Connection, an organization that provides temporary jobs and training for disadvantaged individuals.

In addition, Alviso has also participated in the VUSD Facilities Advisory Committee. He feels the experiences Visalia has given him have shaped who is is today. He states, “I want to bring my enthusiasm and service to my community and VUSD.”

Alviso feels he can contribute his “values and attitude” to the Board. He says he is impartial, a problem solver, and able to identify dilemmas.

All five of his children have attended and graduated VUSD schools and he feels that it is his time to “step up and serve” his community.

He believes he knows the challenges young families face today and that he has effective listening and communication skills.

“I look to be a part of a united VUSD Board, district, and community that strives to achieve VUSD Misson goals for all of our students.” Alviso states.

He enjoys helping incarcerated students meet their educational goals and achieve a “sense of self-reliance” in life.

Alviso believes that addressing concerns starts with what one values. He feels he expresses his values through his words and behavior.

He thinks that one’s values drive their beliefs and behavior as well as build relationships with those of similar values. He feels that his values determine how he chooses to vote on an issue.

From his perspective, CTE programs, diversity, teachers, and fiscal responsibility are the district’s strong points.

His top priority at the moment is “hiring the correct, high-quality superintendent”. Alviso expresses, “Politics, personal bias aside, we need the right person that helps achieve our goal now and in the future.”

Erik Anderson

Erik Anderson grew up in VUSD schools and has five children who have attended or are attending a VUSD school, one of which is a student here at Redwood.

He feels he “knows this town intimately” because he has watched Visalia “grow and change”. He feels compelled to give back to his community, as he “loves this town” and wishes to help.

Anderson feels he represents many families that want the best for their kids and for the youth of Visalia to succeed. He wants to bring the board a “voice he feels is missing”.

During the past few years, he has aimed to serve Visalia’s students through the Visalia Education Foundation.

He feels that it is a “thrill and pleasure” to fundraise for the foundation, as they provide scholarships for students and funding for teachers.

Anderson expresses, “I have been moved by the many essays I have read from our students. I have been moved to tears when presenting scholarships to students.”

He wants to continue to serve the VUSD community and give a voice to the many people he feels he represents. He knows he would be an “effective board member and advocate for the students and families” of VUSD.

As a local business owner, Anderson feels he is well connected to the students and families of VUSD. He also supports other businesses and youth activities. His free time outside of his family is spent serving VUSD and its community.

According to Anderson, issues should be solved fairly, rationally, and logically. He believes in doing the right thing and it has been a “guiding principle” for him.

Anderson feels that the strengths of the district are the people and diversity. He expresses, “So many [people] are helping and want to help. There are good people, staff and faculty, coaches private citizens, all who want Visalia and her students succeed.”

Anderson believes the district and Board are lacking in “credibility and transparency” and they need a new voice and perspective that he can bring.

He chose to raise his family in Visalia because he “loves this city” and feels that he can bring a “force for good” to VUSD.

Clinton Cain

Clinton Cain is a retired U.S Army and California National Guard helicopter pilot. He has lived in Visalia since 1972 and has trusted VUSD to educate his children.

He currently has five grandchildren attending VUSD schools, the oldest a freshman at Golden West High School, another at Valley Life Charter School, and the other three attending Denton Elementary School.

In addition, one of his sons and said son’s wife are VUSD teachers.

Cain states, “These schools [VUSD schools] make up the educational foundation of the community and are the essential part of maintaining the health of our community and the dreams we share for our future.”

He feels he has a “unique perspective” of the district, as he was a VUSD substitute teacher for ten years. Because of this, he feels he was able to see the diversity of the district.

He thinks that all of the “amazing people and backgrounds” he has interacted with deserve a voice in the boardroom.

Cain also believes it is important to continue to supplement students with the skills they need to navigate society.

He would like to be a part of a school board that is willing to adapt to the needs of students to prepare them for life rather than one that sees education “as a business”.

He thinks that the Board needs somebody who has passion, listens to the community, and has the “time and desire” to research solutions that benefit students.

In addition, he believes a board member should be able to “put personal politics aside” for the greater good.

According to Cain, a board member should also view education as a “social equalizer” and a “tool” that allows students to develop the skills needed to achieve their dreams. He believes that he has these traits.

Cain feels that the Board needs to work on being “transparent and honest” and provide for the “post-public education needs of students”.

He feels the district is strong in the sense that it “reflects that community it serves”. Cain believes that students, teachers, coaches, and staff work hard and that diligence is what makes the district what it is.

He expresses, “As they say in the military, you must adapt and overcome. I would like to be a part of a school board who is interested in adapting to the needs students have in their post-public education lives.”

Dr. Juan Lopez

Dr. Juan Lopez has plenty of experience as an educator. He has been an Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent.

Lopez was also a high school teacher and Supervisor of Compensatory Education for VUSD.

His three daughters attended Redwood and he was involved in many school activities. He is currently serving in VUSD Bond Oversight Committee-Measure A and the Visalia Educational Foundation.

He participates in community activities because Visalia is his home and he wants to “help others accomplish goals that will meet the common needs of our community”.

Lopez had his first leadership experience in the City of Visalia Leadership in 1989. From there, he has been involved in many local task forces, committees, and much more. Because of this, Lopez feels “very associated” with the community of VUSD.

He worked directly with school boards during his time as a superintendent, providing recommendations supported with “appropriate facts and analysis”.

Lopez feels that his experience as a superintendent has allowed him to develop a “professional working relationship” with the school board. He believes that open communication is “essential” to any organization.

He states, “It is critical that school boards listen to and respond to community concerns and explain the district priorities to the public.”

He feels that he is “familiar with the roles and responsibilities” of a board member, so training for him would “not be necessary”.

Lopez believes that working with a school board allowed him to build relationships of “trust and support”.

In addition, he feels that he has an understanding of district budgets, curriculum, facilities, and has a federal background that would benefit the Board.

One thing that Lopez strongly believes is that the “decisions and actions” that a school board takes needs to be guided by the needs of students.

He thinks that the Board needs to respond to critics “as appropriate as possible”, but keep their focus on education.

Lopez also feels that the community should be ‘reminded and educated” about the federal policies the Board must follow “because of funding purposes”.

According to Lopez, a strong school district is important when it comes to students’ success in the future. “I’ve always been a believer that good school district increases a child’s chance at future success.” Lopez expresses.

He believes that the district has a strong group of teachers and administrators who are the “most influential” people in VUSD’s schools. The district’s “financial stability” is one of its strengths from Lopez’s perspective.

He feels that parent involvement is “crucial and necessary” because it has a positive influence on students and their academic performance. He believes that the Board needs to work on supporting this involvement.

In addition, Lopez feels that the data from students’ Math and Language Arts scores should be addressed, as VUSD “lags behind” districts of similar size.

“I want Visalia Unified Schools District to continue to provide this new generation of children high standards and expectations for all students.” Lopez states.

Crystal Reynolds

Crystal Reynolds has three children attending schools in Visalia, a freshman at University Preparatory High School [UPHS is not a VUSD school], a 7th grader at Ridgeview Middle School, and a 3rd grader attending Hurley Elementary School.

She is the owner and director of Momentum Dance Academy in Tulare, being a dance educator for 25 years. In addition, she has previously worked as a nurse.

Reynolds has worked with students of all ages, genders, and needs. She takes “tremendous pride” in creating a nurturing, safe environment at her dance studio.

Despite being relatively new to the processes of the Board, she is confident that she can contribute to the Board by bringing ideas, questions, and concerns from multiple perspectives.

According to Reynolds, she told been told by her staff that she is a “great communicator” and has skills in “de-escalating any heated conversation”.

She says, “My ultimate goal will be to bridge any and all gaps between the Area 4 constituents and the Board so that going forward, we are working collaboratively together with a shared goal of student success.”

Reynolds hopes that her many perspectives as a parent, business owner, educator, manager, director, and nurse will be of benefit to the district. She says having multiple perspectives allows her to see the “larger picture”.

By “being proactive” to address concerns and questions, Reynolds can see herself “working collaboratively” with the Board and the residents of Area 4 to balance operations and the needs of the community.

She believes that her contributions to the Board would center around working with the constituents of Area 4 and the Board to “restore and reclaim local control” so that the Board can “truly operate” in the district’s best interest.

One of the reasons her children continue with VUSD is the “amazing teachers, administrators, and support staff”. Her family has had an “amazing experience” with VUSD, getting to witness “something amazing with your [VUSD’s] teachers”.

She is thankful that the district has educators that have a passion for the success of students and feels that the district is strong because of those people.

As an “outsider looking in”, Reynolds thinks that there is a “gap” between teachers and the board. She feels this gap can be filled with clarity, focus, and effort.

“I think it is of the greatest importance and respected due diligence as a board member to vote. Even if it’s against the majority. With or without the support of the constituents I represent.” Reynolds expresses.

Today, November 2nd, the Board will interview the above applicants publicly in L.J Williams Theatre at six in the evening. They will choose the new member and the chosen candidate may be sworn in and start their duties immediately.

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