Election 2024: Who’s running for San Juan Unified Board of Education?

By Sara Beth Williams–
Following a decision in 2021, the formerly five-member San Juan Unified School District Board of Education expanded its members and created seven distinct trustee areas to make up the district’s governing board.

The district has also shifted from at-large elections to district-based elections, meaning voters will only see SJUSD board races on their ballot if they live in areas of the school district that have a representative up for election.

For Citrus Heights voters, only Trustee Area 4 is up for election in 2024, which includes a small portion of Citrus Heights from Greenback Lane, south to Madison Avenue. Three new candidates are running for election in this trustee area, which has been represented by Saul Hernandez.

Trustee Area 4 candidates are listed below. Hernandez is not running for another term on the board.

Martin Ross: Ross is a Carmichael resident who has served in leadership for several nonprofits, including Ready to Work, The Salvation Army, and the Health Education Council, according to his biography. Ross has a degree in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkley and a Master’s in Business Administration from CSU Monterey Bay.

According to his website, Ross has over 10,000 hours of community service and is endorsed by Citrus Heights City Councilmember Porsche Middleton, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento County Board of Education President Bina Lefkovitz, and others. Find out more about Ross on his campaign website.

From Ross’s website: “Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of income or neighborhood. Our commitment is to ensure that all students have access to the resources and support they need to excel academically, including personalized learning plans and modern technology.”

Nick Bloise: Bloise is a Carmichael resident with a Master’s of Business Administration from California State University Sacramento according to his biography. Bloise also graduated from Command and General Staff College and served in the United States Army for 20 years, both active and reserve. Bloise has been involved in numerous community organizations within Carmichael and currently works as a part-time guest teacher in the San Juan Unified School District. Bloise does not list endorsements on his website, but has been endorsed by Citrus Heights Councilmember Tim Schaefer and the Sacramento Parents Association. Find out more about Bloise on his campaign page.

From Bloise’s website: “As an educator, who teaches students in the San Juan Unified School District, I want to make sure schools are focused on the basics: reading, writing, and math by ensuring a classroom environment that facilitates and inspires young minds to dream big and encourages them to participate in all activities of life such as science, technology, sports, music, and the arts.”

Catrayel Wood: Wood currently works as a Senior Budget and Policy Manager and has a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, according to his biography. His community involvement includes volunteering at local San Juan Unified schools, and he currently serves on the Fair Oaks Community Planning Advisory Council and the San Juan School District Curriculum, Standards, Instructional & Student Services Committee, according to his website.

Wood is currently endorsed by the San Juan Parents Association, several San Juan Unified School Board members, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Sacramento Central Labor Council, Sacramento County Board of Education member Vanessa Caigoy, and others. Find out more about Wood on his campaign website.

From Wood’s website: “As a candidate for the San Juan Unified School Board, my vision is simple: I want to ensure that every student receives an outstanding education and is equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century.”

Trustee Area 2 is also up for election, but is outside the City of Citrus Heights. Pam Costa who was elected at-large previously, is now running for another term on the board for Trustee Area 2, where she faces community volunteer Jennifer Morgan and contract analyst Mohammad Sharif.

The Area 1 seat was also up for election this year, but program manager Abid Stanekzai won the seat for Trustee Area 1 by default, as no one else qualified to run. A Candidate Report published Sept. 12 by Sacramento County indicates the Area 1 race will not appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.