Jennifer Araiza Runs for 2 Year CJUSD Area 3 Seat

Jennifer Araiza is running for election to the two year Area 3 Trustee seat with the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD). “One question really influenced my decision” to run for election, explained Araiza, the executive director of Grand Terrace’s nonprofit The REC Center. “’What type of representation would I like to see for my children?’ The conclusion was a well-balanced board, including parents, educators and individuals directly connected to the community.” Araiza shared her initial focuses are the transition to common core standards with parent, teacher and student support; high school electives; creative and performing arts; anti-bullying measures; the high school graduation rate; and a balanced budget, to name a few. Araiza graduated from Bloomington High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands in liberal studies, emphasizing child development and education. She has worked with The Boys & Girls Clubs, as an early childhood education director, a substitute teacher and has been a foster parent – all work which she feels qualifies her for the position, she explained. “My overall goal is to support academic success for all students through efficient solutions to real problems, “Araiza said. “As a parent, an educator and an active community member, I have become familiar with the current strengths and opportunities of our district. I work within the communities of our district on a regular basis and have firsthand experience with the daily issues that face our students.” Araiza said that she “identified a lack of opportunities for youth in the community” when her children began school, prompting her to found “the REC Center to assist the community with the overwhelming need for youth programming.” “The people we serve on the school board are the children,” Araiza said. “Every decision should be made in an effort to ensure student success… The candidate should also understand challenges and opportunities of the city/area they are serving… The representative selected should be prepared to have their community’s unique needs considered when decisions are made.” Araiza runs for election to the short-term Area 3 seat against opponents Kent Taylor and Francine Sandoval.