Joseph Aquino, who served as a Fresno Unified student trustee a year ago before his graduation from Hoover High School, wants to return to the School Board dais.

And, he has his sights on the Roosevelt Area trustee seat held by longtime incumbent Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas.

Aquino qualified for the ballot on Tuesday, according to the Fresno County Elections Office.

Aquino’s Facebook and Instagram pages show that he went public with his campaign in June.

The reason for him to run? Aquino spells it out in a posting on Instagram: “As a former Fresno Unified student, I understand the frustration of feeling unheard by the Board of Education. The generational gap on our Board and disconnect in Area Two have left many voices marginalized.

“My commitment to working with teachers, engaging the community, and addressing the diverse needs of our students will ensure every voice is heard and every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

Aquino is a 19-year-old Fresno State student who has interned at the Foundation for Fresno Unified Schools. He was unsuccessful in March in his bid for election as a student senator representing Fresno State’s College of Social Sciences.

Jonasson Rosas was first elected to the School Board seat vacated by her husband, Luis Chavez, in 2016. Although the Fresno County Elections Office candidate list that was updated Tuesday afternoon indicated that she had not qualified for the ballot, County Clerk James Kus said Wednesday morning that “someone forgot to check a box,” and Jonasson Rosas had indeed qualified.

Starting Fundraising

A website maintained by the Fair Political Practices Commission does not show any campaign contribution reports from Aquino, who is seen in a Father’s Day posting on Instagram that says “Joseph Aquino For FUSD Trustee Area 2.” Aquino and others are holding campaign signs that say “Paid for by Joseph C. Aquino.”

Candidates are required to file campaign finance reports with the FPPC indicating if they plan to hold fundraising and spending below $2,000 or documenting their donations and expenses if they are spending more.

Aquino said Wednesday that he filed his paperwork Tuesday with the FPPC to begin fundraising. The signs were from his run for the Fresno State Student Senate, he said.

Jonasson Rosas’ campaign report for January-June 2024 reported a beginning cash balance of $11,957.99 and a single donation of $3,000 from the UA Local 246 Plumbers and Pipefitters COPE Committee. She reported expenses of $792.46.

Related Story: Big Money in Some School Board Races, No Money in Others

Three Fresno Unified seats are up for election in November, and there are incumbents and challengers vying for each. In the Fresno High Area, incumbent Andy Levine and Fresno County School Board Trustee James Martinez are seeking election. In the Hoover High Area, incumbent Claudia Cazares is facing a challenge from retired FUSD teacher Dan Bordona.