Candidates for the Central Unified School Board say their focus is on improving student preparation for college and career by boosting dual enrollment and CTE offerings, and also providing better facilities for students to learn in and teachers to work in.

Three seats on the Central Unified School Board are up for election, but only two are contested. Incumbent Jeremy Mehling decided against seeking reelection in Area 6, and only one candidate, Fresno City College instructor Karla Kirk, filed her candidacy to replace him.

GV Wire reached out to the four candidates who are running for two contested seats on the Central Unified School Board to hear their thoughts on the main issues, their stand on the $109 million Measure X bond measure on the November ballot, and to learn about their backgrounds, why they are running for office, and why voters in Areas 3 and 5 should elect them.

The candidates are listed in alphabetical order within their respective region.

Area 3

The incumbent is Phillip Cervantes, a sales consultant with a dental and medical supplies company who is seeking his third term on the School Board. The challenger is Natalie Chavez, now an education consultant who previously worked as a sociology instructor at Fresno City College and headed the college’s now-defunct Housing Opportunities Promote Education program. Area 3 is in the northeastern portion of Central Unified on the east side of Highway 99.

Phillip Cervantes

Did not respond to Q&A.

Natalie Chavez

Who are you (brief profile with age, hometown, occupation, family)?

I have dedicated my 25-year career in human services to serving vulnerable children and their families in foster care, first as a mental health clinician and then as an educator in the K-12 and higher education system for the past 20 years. I have been a proud resident of Fresno since moving here for graduate school in 2004. Being a public servant was role modeled to me since birth. I was born in New Mexico and my father was a city council member when I was born. He later founded Cibola County, where I was raised, until we moved to California. I learned from a very young age that I have a responsibility to my fellow citizens to strive to make a difference.

Why are you running for trustee?

I have always dreamed of running for office and serving my community but I wanted to wait until I had established my career and my expertise to share my knowledge. Now after 25 years as a public servant serving vulnerable children and families, I know I can make a difference uplifting the needs of the constituency that I will serve in Area 3.

Why should people elect you?

As a first-generation college student, I reflect a large majority of our community. Education has changed my life, and I deeply believe that it can positively improve the lives of families for generations to come. I plan to always make access to college and career technical education an accessible opportunity for every student in Central Unified School District.

What are the district’s top three issues, and how would you address them?

As a former fulltime faculty member at Fresno City College, my No. 1 priority within Central Unified is to increase their dual enrollment opportunities for students to graduate from high school with college units and possibly full associate degrees. My second priority is to assist the district in providing additional professional training opportunities for teachers and staff to increase their trauma responsiveness to students in need of socio-emotional, behavioral support, and resources so they can increase their academic progress. A third priority is to provide close fiscal oversight as the district continues to grow through new construction and improvement of schools that have needed updates for quite some time.

Do you support Measure X or not, and why are you in support/not in support?

I am in support of Measure X. Central Unified is in dire need of improvements at various school sites and Measure X would help Central Unified cover some of those extensive costs that they could not otherwise. Measure X would require complete transparency of expenditures, and it would enable the public to be fully aware of where all of the funding is being spent on improvements.

Wild card question: Choose a question that is not any of the above and then answer it.

Declined to respond.

Related Story: Central Unified School Boundaries Will Change. Which Maps Did Trustees Choose?

Area 5

The incumbent is Richard Solis, a retired social worker who is seeking his third term on the School Board. The challenger is Jaspreet Sidhu, a registered nurse. Area 5 is on the east side of the district and lies west of Highway 99 and south of Shaw Avenue.

Jaspreet Sidhu

Who are you (brief profile with age, hometown, occupation, family)?

My name is Jaspreet Sidhu, and I’m proud to call Fresno my lifelong home. As a registered nurse and a product of Central Unified schools, I’m deeply connected to this community. I attended Teague Elementary, Rio Vista Middle School, and Central High School before going on to earn my bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno. I later completed my registered nurse certification at Gurnick Academy, also here in Fresno.

Giving back to the community that shaped me has always been a guiding principle in my life. During high school and college, I actively volunteered with various nonprofit organizations, and now, as a nurse in Fresno, I continue to serve in a meaningful way. In addition to my nursing career, I volunteer as a dance instructor with a local nonprofit, where I not only teach children how to dance and embrace active lifestyles, but also mentor them to become future leaders.

I’m running for Central Unified because I’m passionate about ensuring that every student has access to quality education and a wealth of opportunities. As a healthcare professional, I’m committed to developing programs that will prepare our students for both college and career success, with a special focus on creating pathways for those interested in the healthcare field.

Why are you running for trustee?

I’m running to represent my community on the Central Unified School Board to give back to the school district that shaped me into who I am today. I believe this trustee area, particularly Teague Elementary School, has often been overlooked. This inspired me to step up, roll up my sleeves, and run for this position.

As a trustee, I will be a tireless advocate for our students, teachers, and the community at large. Many of my friends, neighbors, and former teachers, along with the principals who continue to serve our schools, have played a pivotal role in my life. Serving as a trustee will allow me to build on the great work Central Unified has done in fostering a strong, supportive community. My focus will be on ensuring that our teachers have the resources they need to focus on what they do best — teaching and inspiring our students.

I will also be a champion for much-needed school improvements, particularly when it comes to addressing deferred maintenance on our campuses. Unfortunately, the incumbent voted to advance a bond measure, Measure X, on the November ballot that does not allocate funds to improve our long-overlooked Teague Elementary School. This is unacceptable to me, especially when an alternative proposal would have included those funds. As your next trustee, I will fight to ensure that every student, including those at Teague, has access to safe and well-maintained learning environments.

As a proud Central Unified alum and a registered nurse, I’m passionate about expanding educational opportunities, especially in the medical field, where our students can thrive in countless ways. I want to open doors for them to explore careers in healthcare and other growing industries.

I believe that together, we can make a meaningful difference and build a brighter future for all students in Central Unified. I’m committed to being a strong, vocal advocate for our community and ensuring that our schools are equipped to provide the highest quality education for the next generation.

Why should people elect you?

People should vote for me because I’m running for the Central Unified School Board not because I’m a politician, but because I’m deeply committed to serving my community. While I may be new to politics, I’m certainly not new to community-building. As a proud alum of Central Unified and a registered nurse, I have both the personal experience and professional expertise to make a meaningful difference. After doing my homework — meeting with current trustees, teachers, community leaders, and partners — I realized that I can do a better job for our district. That’s why I decided to step up and run.

Central Unified has shaped who I am today. I’ve lived the experiences of our students and families firsthand. My journey through Teague Elementary, Rio Vista Middle School, and Central High School gave me a deep understanding of what our students need to succeed. My career as a registered nurse has shown me the value of creating clear pathways to meaningful careers, particularly in high-demand fields like healthcare. Now, I’m committed to expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities so that our students, whether they choose college or trade professions, have the tools and resources to get a head start on their futures.

I’m proud to have the backing of a wide array of local organizations, including the Fresno Madera Tulare Kings Building Trades Council and several trustees from the State Center Community College District. These relationships will allow me to work proactively on behalf of our students, opening doors to dual enrollment programs with State Center community colleges and creating more opportunities for students interested in trade professions and industry-specific careers.

What are the district’s top three issues, and how would you address them?

The top three issues Central Unified faces are expanding educational opportunities, supporting our teachers, and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

First, we must expand educational pathways to better prepare students for in-demand careers, especially in fields like healthcare. I will advocate for strong partnerships with local institutions to create programs that offer students hands-on experience and clear career trajectories. By offering dual enrollment opportunities and building more Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, we can ensure that our students are ready for the workforce or further education when they graduate.

Second, supporting our teachers is critical to student success. Teachers need the tools, resources, and professional development necessary to thrive in the classroom. I will prioritize policies that invest in modern classroom technology, curriculum enhancements, and ongoing teacher training. Additionally, reducing class sizes is essential to improving learning outcomes. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to give more personalized attention to each student, fostering a more effective and engaging learning environment.

Finally, fiscal responsibility is crucial to sustaining and growing these initiatives. I will work diligently to ensure that our district maintains a balanced budget by focusing on efficient resource allocation. This means maximizing benefits for students and teachers while ensuring the district’s long-term financial health. By making smart, responsible financial decisions, we can create a stable foundation that allows Central Unified to continue providing quality education for years to come.

By addressing these three issues, we can ensure a stronger future for Central Unified.

Do you support Measure X or not, and why are you in support/not in support?

While I would have pushed for an alternative bond measure that included specific earmarks for our Teague Elementary campus, I am still in strong support of Measure X.

I fully support Measure X because it directly addresses the urgent need for more classroom space and modernized facilities in Central Unified. Our district has experienced rapid growth, and for years, we’ve struggled with overcrowded classrooms, which negatively impact both students and teachers. Measure X will provide the essential funding to build new permanent classrooms equipped with the latest technology, ensuring our students are prepared to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

Teague Elementary, the school I attended and one that hasn’t seen significant modernization in decades, is a prime example of why Measure X is so important. Our students deserve learning environments that are not only safe and up to date, but also capable of supporting their academic growth and development. While I believe a more targeted bond measure could have directly benefited Teague, I recognize the critical need across the district for these improvements.

As your next trustee, I will be a vigilant watchdog to ensure that the funds from Measure X are spent wisely and in a fiscally responsible manner. It’s essential that every dollar is maximized to benefit our students and teachers, and I will work to ensure that the bond money is allocated efficiently and transparently.

Wild card question: Choose a question that is not any of the above and then answer it.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: When I’m not working or volunteering, I love to dance and sing — especially at weddings! Dancing has always been a big part of my life, and I used to be a competitive dancer, traveling around the state performing bhangra. The energy, discipline, and teamwork that come with competitive dance have stuck with me, and I still love hitting the dance floor whenever I get the chance. In fact, I now teach dance as a volunteer, helping kids discover their own passion for it. When I’m not dancing, I enjoy watching football. I love watching our Fresno State Bulldogs and I am huge fan of the Raiders!

Richard Solis

Who are you (brief profile with age, hometown, occupation, family)?

Hello Central community, I am Richard A. Solis and I am running for Central Unified School Board Area 5 trustee. I am a retired social worker, an alumni of Central Unified, a parent, and an experienced board member. I am dedicated and focused on our students’ career success by providing a safe environment, quality facilities for all students, and advocating for community involvement in our student’s education. I plan on accomplishing this goal by representing the Central community and spotlighting financial responsibility in order to provide a foundation of success. As a member of the Central community for over 30 years serving our students’ educational needs on PTAs, English Learning Committees, and the School Bond Oversight committee, I have gained experience that has allowed me to advocate on behalf of our children. If elected I will continue to work with our community partners to further our educational goals within the district and serve the Central community. I would like to thank you for your support in helping the academic growth of our students and district.

Why are you running for trustee?

In a field of candidates passionate to serve the Central community, my experience as a parent and my time serving the Central community provides me the necessary perspective to maintain momentum on projects and services that benefit our students so they can have a foundation for academic and career success. My experience has shown me the importance of utilizing my “ABC” philosophy of being a board member, which consists of Accountability, Belief in academic achievement, and Clarity of services. With these guiding tenets I have been able to help bring numerous vocational and dual enrolment programs to the district, expanded academic pathways through the CSU and UC system, and increased the hiring of academic support staff such as teacher aides and credentialed librarians. If elected I will continue to implement changes that will help provide a foundation for our students to become successful in their careers and be contributing members of society.

Why should people elect you?

I am seeking the opportunity to serve the Central community so that I may continue advocating for collaborative efforts between parents, staff, and community partners in order to maintain momentum on projects that will help provide students with new facilities and initiatives that can help them succeed in their future career and academic goals. In a field of qualified candidates, I believe what qualifies me as a strong candidate is my involvement within this district as an alumni and parent. I have had the privilege of collaborating with other parents on multiple PTAs and during my tenure I was a staunch advocate in the successful construction of three new schools within the district. I believe I have a unique perspective as a parent and utilizing that helps me when I encounter different dilemmas in a way that empowers me to resolve any issue in an expedited manner.

What are the district’s top three issues and how would you address them?

The top three issues that I have passionately pursued a resolution for recently have been the increase in vocational training programs offered at our campuses, providing quality facilities for our students, and increasing school safety. I plan on addressing these issues with a financially conscious mind and I plan on continuing to participate in a variety of site meetings to address the needs of each school and student body to ensure our students can succeed in their academic and career goals. As a board member I advocated and accomplished the initiation for the placement of school resource officers on all junior high and high school campuses and will continue to maintain a mindset of safety and growth within the district. To further ensure these goals are achieved I will continue to meet regularly with a variety of site administrators and review different plans and initiatives to ensure academic growth and safety for students and educators are being implemented.

Do you support Measure X or not, and why are you in support/not in support?

Yes, I am in favor of Measure X due in part to it being an essential component to providing quality facilities to our current and future students. As a strong advocate that Measure X help provide for our students directly without increasing the current tax rate, I am supporting this measure to ensure the funds directly impact classrooms across the district. The way in which Measure X is designed will support our student’s academic and career goals by providing for their needs for quality facilities.

Wild card question: Choose a question that is not any of the above and then answer it.

Q: What are your plans to maintain the progress started in the district?

A: With the approval and initiation of dual enrollment and career vocational training I plan to maintain the progress started on these initiatives by expanding the availability to more students across the district while at the same time reaching out to industry partners and community leaders to help explore new programs that spark interest for students involved in the career vocational programs. In a time where school districts are facing a decline in such resources, the momentum towards these goals has been an effort I will continue to spearhead if elected. The importance of providing a variety of avenues for academic and career success is vital for our students and requires the full support of our entire Central community.