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CSBA Officer Candidates

Pursuant to Standing Rule 222, C (10), the Candidate Review Committee interviewed the first-round candidates in-person on August 24. Debra Schade, Solana Beach SD, was interviewed for the Office of President-elect. David Gracia, Napa Valley USD, and Sabrena Rodriguez, Ventura USD, were interviewed for the Office of Vice President. The Candidate Review Committee recommends Debra Schade for the Office of President-elect and Sabrena Rodriguez for the Office of Vice President.

Second round nominations closed on October 20, and there were no new candidates nominated for either office.

Debra Schade

I am deeply committed to the fundamental importance of public education and the crucial need to enhance our education system in California. My decision to run for CSBA executive office last year marked a significant step after over two decades of service as an elected school board member. This past year I embarked on a journey of listening, learning, and engaging with our membership. I am confident in moving forward and serving as President-elect with grace, empathy, and a powerful understanding that our organization is strengthened by the collective efforts of all. Effective leadership and thoughtful, collaborative decision-making will keep CSBA strong and sustain its critical voice in public education. As President-elect, I pledge to ensure CSBA remains a mission-driven organization that directly impacts the quality of public education for EACH and EVERY California student. Over the past year my vision for CSBA to ENGAGE, SERVE, and INSPIRE has solidified. My priorities continue to focus on sustaining CSBA as an organization that serves the diverse needs of its membership while strengthening CSBA as the vital voice of California public education through legal, legislative, and communication efforts that advance the equitable education and well-being of California’s 5.8 million public school students. It has been a privilege to work collaboratively with you, and I would be honored to serve as President-elect. By activating our collective voice, we will continue to work to address critical issues essential to the success of public education in California.

David Gracia

My name is David T. Gracia (aka the guy with the red hat) and I am humbly asking you for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President of CSBA. I will skillfully represent you, and the organization, in all of its many endeavors. I have strong leadership skills and work well with others. I can identify systems that need improving and aren’t working as well as they could to serve our organization, and will make suggestions to improve them. If elected it is my intention to serve with distinction in this new role, such that you will be proud and appreciate our collective success. I will fight for the principals of our organization especially our dedication to good governance and local control. I believe these are two of the bedrock principals on which all of our other work rests. With the strong foundation of a high functioning board and robust local control, school boards throughout the state will be well positioned to accomplish all the other many reforms that we still need to tackle. Our organization is currently experiencing some systemic changes which provides us a unique opportunity to better serve the County Board’s of Education throughout our great state. While I appreciate that this change has come with some concern and consternation, I look forward to continuing to shepherd and implement the organizational changes necessary to elevate the services provided to our County Board Members. For the above stated reasons, I ask for your vote for VP.

Sabrena Rodriguez

Supporting public education isn't just a commitment for me; it's my deep-seated passion. I believe in championing policies that ensure every student has equitable access to a high­quality education. This means advocating tirelessly for Full and Fair Funding, promoting educational equity, and empowering local school boards and county offices to provide top-tier programs. My goal is to cultivate a robust public education system throughout California that fulfills our promise to every student. As a candidate for CSBA Vice President, my vision revolves around engaging our members, advocating for policies that uphold Local Control, and nurturing strong community bonds. Central to this is active communication and genuine listening-I'm dedicated to ensuring every member, whether from a small rural school district, county office, or urban center, feels heard and valued. Your voice and experiences are important to me. I am willing to invest my time making CSBA a stronger organization because I firmly believe that we empower leaders to excel as governance experts and ardent advocates for our students. I am eager to bring my experience, passion, and unwavering dedication to this role, collaborating toward our shared vision. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

 

This year, the following criteria will be used by the Candidate Review Committee to evaluate potential candidates:

A CSBA Leader:

  • Communicates effectively on behalf of public education and, as the face of CSBA, advocates CSBA’s vision, mission, policy platform, and governance structure.
  • Demonstrates advocacy for and knowledge of the diverse educational, economic, social, and emotional needs of all students throughout the State through the lens of equity.
  • Exemplifies strong leadership skills, ethics and integrity, including the ability to collaborate, motivate and inspire.
  • Leads successfully in the face of ongoing change and challenges.
  • Exhibits knowledge of education finance, budget and accountability issues on a statewide and federal basis.
  • Understands, articulates, and influences the legislature’s impact on public education.
  • Engages and supports the power and decision-making of local governance teams, and CSBA’s Delegate Assembly.
  • Commits the time, attention, and energy necessary to serve as a CSBA officer
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