Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
De La Cerda Points to Progress. Islas Says She Knows Student Needs.
By Myles Barker
Published 7 years ago on
October 9, 2018

Share

The campaign for Fresno Unified’s trustee seat representing the McLane High School area appears to be a classic matchup.
Incumbent Christopher De La Cerda has served six years on the board: two as the appointed replacement for a trustee who resigned and four more after winning a full term without an opponent.
He comes into the Nov. 6 election with the backing of several Fresno City Council members and fellow board members Lindsay Cal Johnson and Valerie Davis.
Now he’s being challenged by Veva Islas, who as program director of Cultiva La Salud, a public health initiative in the Valley, has her ear to the ground on challenges facing impoverished families. She, too, has received an influential union endorsement — that of the Fresno Teachers Association.
Interviews with the candidates suggest that improving educational equity and college and career readiness are among the top issues.

Area 4 Profiles

Christopher De La Cerda

Christopher De La Cerda was born and raised in Fresno with his nine siblings.
He graduated from Bullard High School, Fresno City College, and Fresno State.
Before being appointed to the school board in 2012 as a replacement for Tony Vang, a Fresno State professor who was mired in a controversy about his residency, De La Cerda was a special education teacher in Fresno Unified. He resigned after 34 years to focus his attention on his role as a trustee.

“The equity factor in our district is really what drives me because once we address the equity issue and reach that equitability factor where it is distributed across the district, then kids will be able to learn across the board.” — Christopher De La Cerda, Area 4 incumbent
De La Cerda says he has accomplished a lot during his time on the board.
He has been involved in expanding the district’s dual immersion program to include Hmong, getting a student-run Union Bank branch on McLane’s campus as part of the school’s financial pathway curriculum, and increasing Career Technical Education programs. 
De La Cerda has received endorsements from many political figures and organizations, including the Service Employees International Union, and Fresno City Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria, Luis Chavez, and Paul Caprioglio.
The primary reason he says he is running for re-election is to continue to improve Fresno Unified and help students reach their educational and career goals.
“The equity factor in our district is really what drives me because once we address the equity issue and reach that equitability factor where it is distributed across the district, then kids will be able to learn across the board,” De La Cerda said.
In addition to emphasizing increased safety for students and teachers, better graduation and college-going rates, and reduced pupils-per-teacher ratios, De La Cerda said he wants to establish more health clinics on campuses.
In early 2017,  Fresno Unified announced plans to open six new school-based health centers. The first one was built at Gaston Middle School and a second is opening at Addams Elementary School. 
“Education for us in Fresno is changing,” De La Cerda said. “It is no longer just trying to get students in a classroom and out of the classroom. It is making sure that we are addressing health issues, physical needs, and their social-emotional needs.”

Veva Islas

Islas was born and raised primarily in Fresno to farmworker parents.
Among her three siblings, Islas is the first to graduate from college and holds degrees from Fresno State and Loma Linda University.

“I think there are many families similar to my immigrant family that live in the McLane Region, and they are depending on somebody in that position who understands their challenges.” — Veva Islas, candidate for Area 4 trustee
Even though she was defeated in her race for a seat on the Fresno City Council earlier this year, Islas said her motivation to serve residents didn’t end.
“I decided this could be a place where I could use my voice and my vote to help make a difference in my community,” Islas said of her decision to run for the school board.
She also has endorsements from the Central Labor Council, the National Women’s Political Caucus, and Carpenters Local 701.
Islas said she would make an exceptional trustee because of her ability to relate to families in the McLane area.
“I think there are many families similar to my immigrant family that live in the McLane Region, and they are depending on somebody in that position who understands their challenges,” said Islas, who learned English as a second language.
After talking with area parents, Islas said the main issues they are concerned about are better special education services, ensuring that all students who graduate high school are college and career ready, and school bullying.
Islas said that parents are especially upset with transportation for special-needs students. District buses are inconsistent and regularly late in the mornings, which causes parents to have to take their children to school.
“It affects parents because they aren’t able to get to work on time,” Islas said.
In regard to school bullying, Islas said she plans to better inform parents about resources that are available to their children. She wants to create a system where parents can submit complaints and see issues more quickly resolved.
Islas said she is also eager to improve the percentage of college- and career-ready graduates.
“All of our efforts should really be about making sure that by the time our students get to graduation that they are going to be able to make that transition to higher education with ease or pursue employment opportunities and be successful,” she said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

DON'T MISS

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

DON'T MISS

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

DON'T MISS

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

DON'T MISS

White House National Security Council Hit by More Firings, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

All Six People Aboard Plane That Crashed in San Diego Confirmed Dead

DON'T MISS

Explore the Wild Side of Route 66 With These Natural Wonders

DON'T MISS

Billy Joel Cancels Touring After Being Diagnosed With a Brain Disorder

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Reaches Deal to Allow Boeing to Avoid Prosecution Over 737 Max Crashes

UP NEXT

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

UP NEXT

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

UP NEXT

White House National Security Council Hit by More Firings, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Justice Department Reaches Deal to Allow Boeing to Avoid Prosecution Over 737 Max Crashes

UP NEXT

Clovis Church’s ‘Giving Truck’ Offers Free Coffee With a Twist

UP NEXT

Should Fresno Make It Easier to Convert Office Buildings Into Housing?

UP NEXT

Low-Income Compton Students Get $225M State-of-the-Art High School Campus

UP NEXT

Vance Says Use of Military Force Under Trump Will Be Careful, Decisive

UP NEXT

Memorial Day Weekend Packed With Fresno Area Events. Which Will You Attend?

9 of a Doctor’s 10 Children Are Killed in Israel’s Latest Strikes in Gaza

17 hours ago

Daisy Can’t See or Hear, but She Knows How to Love

22 hours ago

How to Travel Without a Phone

23 hours ago

Chukchansi Casino Hosts Job Fair to Fill 80 Food and Beverage Positions

23 hours ago

California’s High Living Costs and Rampant Poverty Sharpen Its Economic Divide

23 hours ago

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

2 days ago

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

2 days ago

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

2 days ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

2 days ago

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

2 days ago

Clovis Memorial Run Brings the Community Together, Supports Senior Programs

The annual Clovis Memorial Run brought runners and walkers to the new Clovis Senior Activity Center on May 24, featuring multiple races that...

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

Clovis Memorial Run Brings the Community Together, Supports Senior Programs

16 hours ago

Attorney Error Lowers Fees in Fresno Measure P Case

16 hours ago

Trump Gives Commencement Address at West Point, Stressing a New Era

17 hours ago

9 of a Doctor’s 10 Children Are Killed in Israel’s Latest Strikes in Gaza

Blind and deaf, Daisy is a gentle senior pup who has blossomed in foster care and is now searching for a loving home. (Mell's Mutts)
22 hours ago

Daisy Can’t See or Hear, but She Knows How to Love

23 hours ago

How to Travel Without a Phone

23 hours ago

Chukchansi Casino Hosts Job Fair to Fill 80 Food and Beverage Positions

California Wealth and Poverty
23 hours ago

California’s High Living Costs and Rampant Poverty Sharpen Its Economic Divide

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend