Sentinel Staff Report–
Note: As part of The Sentinel’s 2024 coverage of local elections, we have asked a series of six identical questions to each of the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education candidates for Trustee Area 4. The questions are designed to give each of the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate. Candidates replied via email, and those who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word.
Trustee Area 4 includes a small portion of Citrus Heights from Greenback Lane, south to Madison Avenue.
Martin Ross:
Why are you running for the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education and what are your qualifications?
Our political climate requires balanced, practical, compassionate, and innovative leadership. I’ve spent 20+ years in nonprofit executive roles focused on workforce development and offering a hand up, not a handout. My K-12 education in SJUSD, two terms as San Juan High School Class President, military family background, and leadership on several Sacramento County commissions uniquely qualifies me to serve. As a Salvation Army Major, I developed tutoring and mentoring programs (where I also taught martial arts and steel drum band music in the program and at music camps to deserving kids), demonstrating my passion for uplifting students and supporting educators.
What are your top 2-3 priorities for improving education in Citrus Heights and its surrounding areas, and how do you propose to fund them?
I will focus on access to educational excellence, career preparedness, workforce development, and safer schools. Ensuring safety for students, classified staff, faculty, and administrators is essential. My 20+ years of experience managing limited budgets without layoffs will be crucial as federal relief dollars expire in 2025. Creative solutions and partnerships will be needed to sustain progress, and I am prepared to lead with practical, budget-conscious strategies, as necessity will require invention that my wide range background will bring.
Do you support the district’s proposal for a $950 million dollar facilities improvement bond? Why or why not?
I fully support Measure P. When canvassing, I ask voters to back this bond to fund improvements for aging school facilities, upgrade technology and safety, and address deferred maintenance. These improvements ensure students, staff, and teachers have the quality facilities needed to achieve excellence in education. Once elected, I will also push for air conditioning in school kitchens and warehouses, ensuring our classified staff—who feed our children and supply our schools—work in better conditions.
In March 2024, after hearing a report from the Citrus Heights Education Committee, the Citrus Heights City Council voted unanimously to pursue collaboration and partnership opportunities with the San Juan Unified School District, and work on efforts to “foster positive community engagement and support family involvement.” How would you, as a board member, foster future partnerships with Citrus Heights schools that are within your Trustee Area?
Access to excellence must include all voices, including voices from Citrus Heights, where I attended high school. I will prioritize hearing and learning from families, including those of special education students. While SJUSD has a solid reputation, I’ve heard from families that response times and processes for special needs students need improvement. I stand with these families and have voiced their concerns at board meetings. My election will help strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for all stakeholders.
Critical teacher shortages and high turnover have been significant issues throughout the district. What policies or programs would you support to both acquire and retain high-quality teachers and reduce burnout?
Our teachers, classified staff, and bus drivers are among the lowest paid in the district, yet they are essential to our schools’ success. To recruit and retain them, I support apprenticeships, substitute/guest teaching, and emergency credentialing programs. Maintaining pensions and benefits is crucial to attract and retain high-quality staff. Cutting these benefits is a losing strategy that will harm our future. We must invest in our educators to ensure excellence and access in education for our current and next generations.
Find out more about Martin Ross at his campaign website.
As part of The Sentinel’s 2024 coverage of local elections, we have asked a series of six identical questions to each of the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education candidates for Trustee Area 4.
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