Four candidates run for the Bakersfield City School District Board of Trustees Area 1 seat
As the election approaches, residents of Bakersfield City School District Area 1 have four candidates to choose from to fill the seat, which mainly covers east Bakersfield.
The elected board member will be filling Lillian M. Tafoya's seat.
Two other board seats were to be up for reelection this year, but nobody is challenging the incumbents, Chris Cruz-Boone for Area 3 and Brooke Malley Ault for Area 5. Thus, Cruz-Boone and Malley Ault are not on the ballot since they are uncontested.
For the Area 1 seat, the four candidates are Luis Garcia, Michael Eggert, Brandon Holladay and Emma De La Rosa.
Luis Garcia is an educator and a coordinator for social emotional and academic support for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office. Garcia said he has lived in east Bakersfield for more than 25 years and is an alum of the Bakersfield City School District.
Garcia said he believes that students, staff and the community deserve a champion who grew up in the area. He said if he is elected, he will focus on creating a positive school climate for students and staff to thrive.
"There is nothing more frustrating than having leadership that does not understand the field as it can slow down and impede progress. It is equally important to have a strong advocate that knows the ins and outs of the educational system to ask questions and be part of realistic, ethical and legally sound solutions," Garcia said.
Michael Eggert is the owner of Lettuce Eat Salad Company and a retired Bakersfield City School District custodian. He said during his 25 years as a custodian, he became deeply rooted in the community. He said all of his children and grandchildren attended schools in the district.
Eggert said that if elected, he would want to focus on increasing fiscal responsibility, early childhood awareness for children with special needs and vocational training exposure for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. He also wants to empower parents to engage more in their children's education.
"I want to work with other members of the school board and all stakeholders to ensure we provide a first-class education. All children deserve a quality education in an environment that is positive, enriching and socially inviting," Eggert said.
Brandon Holladay is an attorney who said he was inspired by his wife, Stephanie — one of this year's Kern County Teachers of the Year — to run for the trustee seat after seeing all the work she does for her students. He said his children were also students in BCSD schools.
Holladay said his legal background and training gives him a unique perspective to bring to the school board. He said he believes in a collaborative approach to school governance and hopes to bring a balanced and inclusive approach to decision-making.
"My primary commitment is to prioritize our students while serving our community. Our schools must be a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally," Holladay said.
Emma De La Rosa is a community educator who advocates for safe and healthy neighborhoods. De La Rosa was raised in east Bakersfield where she attended Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Sierra Middle School and Foothill High School, her candidate statement said.
Her statement said after she grew up in economic instability, she understands the value and importance of education as a pathway to financial success. She advocates for safe and healthy neighborhoods to raise the future leaders.
"Emma looks forward to working with parents, teachers and staff to achieve student academic success, provide resources and support for educators and parents to support student success, and safe routes to school to ensure students can get to and from school safely," De La Rosa's candidate statement said.
