Visalia Unified School District
Four trustees on the Visalia Unified School District Board of Education are facing challengers in the November election.
A number of the trustees have overseen a district that weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and tumultuous senior leadership as the district is on its third superintendent in the last four years.
To make matters more interesting, Todd Oto – the former superintendent who was ousted by the board in 2019 after just three years on the job – is running to represent Area 4.
Oto’s ouster-resignation came as Visalia Unified faced criticism surrounding low test scores and behavioral issues.
In his run for school board, Oto has campaigned as a candidate who can bring immediate experience to a board that only has one member who has served prior to 2018.
Area 4 is currently represented by Catalina Blair, who herself was appointed to the position in November 2021 after John Crabtree retired.
The other two candidates in the race are Crystal Reynolds, a business owner and advocate, and Jesus Morales-Grace, a small business owner.
In Area 1, Walta Gamoian is running her first reelection campaign against Jesse Perez, who did not submit a ballot designation.
Juan Guerrero, by far the longest serving board member spanning back to 2001 with a break from 2009 to 2013, is once again running for Area 2.
In an interview with Gannett, Guerrero said his goal if reelected will be to create a five-year strategic plan to focus on learning loss and to raise test scores.
His lone challenger is Paul Belt, who is listed as a college adjunct.
Appointed Trustee Randy Villegas is running for the remainder of the term against Jonelle Murphy, a district parent.
The incumbents were all part of a board that adopted three core values: all students should be at grade level, parent and community engagement are important for student success, and all students will be in a safe and welcoming learning environment.
Alpaugh Unified School District
Vote for three:
- James Atwell, incumbent
- Denise Vasquez
- Kristy Mitchell
- Debra Gibbs, incumbent
Cutler-Orosi Unified School District
Area 2, vote for two:
- Juan Alonzo
- Pete Castillo, retired school driver
- Mary Helen Espino, incumbent
- Julio Zapien, field service engineer
- Javier Quevedo
- Rebecca Jimenez, incumbent
Area 3
- Chris Mendonca, bus driver
- Sandra Williams, incumbent
Farmersville Unified School District
Vote for three:
- Johnny Ray Alvarez, incumbent
- Jorge Vazquez, incumbent
- Ruben Macareno, city councilman
- Cynthia Godwin
- Sabrina Gomez
Lindsay Unified School District
Area 1
- Anthony Vahnn Blue, incumbent
- Brenda Gonzalez, teacher
Area 5
- Dennis Doane, educator/business owner
- Alex Ray Flores, incumbent
Dinuba Unified School District
Area 2
- Jason Sanchez, national guardsman
- Ron Froese, farmer/college instructor
Area 3
- Sharon Davidian
- Beverly Keel-Worrell, incumbent
Porterville Unified School District
Area 3
- Cheryl McCrillis
- Pete Lara, incumbent
Area 5
- Rae Dean Strawn
- Felipe Martinez, incumbent
Exeter Unified School District
Area 2
- Amanda Kay Reser Renteria, appointed incumbent
- Julie Watson, retired personnel analyst
Delano Joint Union High School District
Vote for three:
- Art Armendariz, incumbent
- Lionel Reyna, incumbent
- Eloise Carrillo, incumbent
- Ann McBride, farmer/computer engineer
- Valerie Gorospe, community engagement director
Burton Elementary School District
Area 1
- Dawn Crater
- Eduardo Hernandez, incumbent
Area 4
- Shelbie Akin
- Daniel Figueroa, incumbent
Ducor Union Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Gabina Becerra Gonzalez, incumbent
- Maria Vasquez, incumbent
- Jesse Navarro, retired educator
- Mary McGill
Earlimart Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Yolanda Duran, incumbent
- Kelly Andreas
- Gloria Borunda, incumbent
- Brian Franks
- Mike Fernandez, incumbent
Pixley Union Elementary School District
Area 5
- Emily Robledo
- Randell Terrel
- September McPhetridge
Pleasant View Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Thomas Barcellos, incumbent
- Aziez Shaif Hassan
- Alexander Garcia, incumbent
- Rusty Gobel, incumbent
Richgrove Elementary School
Vote for three:
- Miguel Romero
- Martha Martinez, incumbent
- Irene Flores, family service advocate
- Marisela Lopez, incumbent
- Alexandra Guerrero, incumbent
Sequoia Union Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Lane Anderson, incumbent
- Cody Bogan, assistant fire chief
- Jonathan Cotta
- Melissa Myers
Terra Bella Union Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Steven Cole, horse farm owner
- Courtney Pace
- Sherry Shannon, retired educator
- Suzanne Lujan, incumbent
- Vicki Jaggers, incumbent
- Anthony Giannetto, incumbent
Three Rivers Union Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Sean Boerke
- Ryan Sager
- Peter Mestaz, incumbent
- Jamie London
Tipton Elementary School District
Vote for three:
- Greg Rice, incumbent
- John Cardoza, incumbent
- Blanca Cruz
- Iva Sousa, incumbent
Tulare City Elementary School District
Area 5
- Conie Diaz, parent
- William Adkins, appointed incumbent
Woodlake Unified School District
Area B
- Donna Fraser, incumbent
- Ryan Wallace, firefighters
Area D
- Rolana Rochin
- Rocio Medina, physician
- Florencio Guerra, social worker
- Al George, retired educator
