Aegean Lee
Aegean Lee ran for election to the Fremont Union High School District Board of Education district 5 in California. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Lee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Aegean Lee graduated from Wesley Girls' High School. She earned a graduate degree from the Academy of Art University in 1994. Her career experience includes working as an educator and as the founder and program director of the IDEA Education Foundation. She has been affiliated with the Boy Scouts and the River of Life Foundation Food Pantry.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Fremont Union High School District, California, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Fremont Union High School District Board of Education district 5
Danny Y. Choi defeated Aegean Lee in the general election for Fremont Union High School District Board of Education district 5 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Danny Y. Choi (Nonpartisan)  | 53.2 | 8,304 |
 | Aegean Lee (Nonpartisan) | 46.8 | 7,311 | |
| Total votes: 15,615 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Lee received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Lee's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Aegean Lee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lee's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- The recent shift from at-large to by-trustee area elections in FUHSD has made your vote more critical than ever. As Trustee Area 5 elects a new board member, we need someone who truly represents our community’s interests. That’s why I, Aegean Lee, am running for this important seat. Why Elect Aegean Lee? Despite community opposition, FUHSD moved to by-trustee area elections, reducing voters' influence from 100% to just 20% for residents of each area. As your representative, I will protect our community's interests and ensure our schools prioritize students and families over special interests. With over 20 years of advocacy, my commitment is clear: putting students first and partnering with parents.
- My Priorities: 1 Prioritize Students & Education Excellence • Focus on comprehensive, diverse learning. • Ensure access to resources and programs that match students' interests and strengths. 2. Ensure Transparency & Fiscal Accountability • Foster trust by bridging parents and educators, encouraging involvement. • Prioritize fiscal responsibility, allocating resources effectively for students and educators. 3. Engage the Community & Connect Resources • Partner with community groups to tackle educational challenges and offer diverse opportunities. • Expand learning with real-world experiences to prepare students for future careers.
- As a long-time resident and active volunteer, I deeply understand the challenges facing our schools. I have a proven track record of enhancing mental health resources, fostering equitable opportunities, and promoting collaboration. See my experience and qualifications at www.Aegean4FUHSD.org Selected Accomplishments: 1. Founder & Program Director of Family Parenting Program (2009-2015) 2. Co-Founder & Program Director, IDEA Education Foundation (since 2010) 3. Children Program Overseer and Teacher Lead (2009 – 2015) 4. Boy Scout Leader, Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner (2009-2020, US) 5. Art Teacher, Drama Backdrop Designer, Volunteer Schools and Events (2007-present) 6. Involve CUSD and FUHSD issues like saving schools.
My focus includes expanding tutoring services for those needing extra support, launching early intervention programs to assist struggling students, and increasing resources for English learners, special education, and mental health.
Integrity: Always being honest and putting the community first. For example, when deciding how to spend public funds, an official should make sure the money benefits everyone, not just personal or political interests.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for decisions. If something doesn’t work as planned, a good leader owns the issues, explains the situation, and works to fix the problem. They should also be open and available to the public.
Empathy: Understanding the community’s needs. For example, if people are struggling with housing costs, an empathetic leader listens and works on solutions that provide more affordable housing options.
Vision: Considering long-term consequences and focusing on creating lasting positive change. For example. a visionary leader works on improving education by increasing school funding and building programs to support students’ mental health.
Collaboration: Working with others to find the best solutions. A leader who partners with local groups, businesses, and schools can create better solutions to challenges like job creation or environmental issues.
Dedication: Being fully committed to serving the community. A dedicated leader will keep working to solve problems, like improving public transportation, even if it takes time to see results.
My strong ties to the community will enable me to advocate for meaningful improvements across the FUHSD, ensuring that students have access to the best possible programs and resources. I also value teamwork and collaboration, knowing that achieving success requires working together with accountability and transparency.
1. Listen and Engage: Regularly meet with students, teachers, staff, and parents to hear their concerns and ideas, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.
2. Provide Equal Resources: Ensure schools have the resources they need, especially for students who need extra help, like English learners, students in special education, or those with mental health needs.
3. Support Teacher Training: Offer ongoing training for teachers and staff to help them better support students from different backgrounds.
4. Work with the Community: Partner with local groups and businesses to provide extra support like tutoring, mentoring, and career opportunities for students.
5. Promote Inclusive Learning: Advocate for a curriculum that reflects the diverse cultures and histories of our community, so all students feel represented.
6. Create a Safe Environment: Ensure schools are safe, welcoming places where everyone feels respected and supported.
7. Create Policies to Support Diverse Needs: Develop policies that address the unique challenges faced by students and staff, such as providing additional funding for programs that help underprivileged students, English learners, and those with special needs or mental health concerns.
Stay Connected: Hold regular meetings, town halls, and events to talk directly with community members, and use newsletters and social media to keep everyone informed.
Work with Local Groups: Partner with local nonprofits, businesses, and cultural groups to support community projects and help students with learning opportunities.
Engage Parents and Teachers: Work closely with parent-teacher associations to get feedback and involve families in important decisions.
Reach Out to Cultural and Faith-Based Groups: Connect with these groups to make sure their needs are considered and respected in our programs and policies.
Engage with Students: Listen to student organizations to understand their concerns and include their voices in decision-making.
Collaborate with Business Leaders: Partner with local businesses to offer internships, career opportunities, and community service options for students.
Inclusive Environment: Create a welcoming space where every student feels safe and respected, regardless of their background.
Community Collaboration: Work with parents, teachers, local law enforcement, and mental health professionals to ensure everyone is involved in keeping schools safe.
Training and Education: Provide regular safety training for staff and students so they know how to respond in emergencies and promote conflict resolution skills.
Physical Security: Make sure schools have proper security measures, like secure entrances and emergency protocols, without disrupting learning.
Mental Health Support: Offer mental health services so students can get the help they need, which can prevent crises.
Safe Transportation: Support efficient and safe ways for students to get to school, such as bus transportation, safe biking routes, and walking paths around campus.
Clear Communication: Keep open lines of communication between schools and families to ensure everyone is informed about safety procedures and concerns.
Increase Access to Counseling: Make sure all students and staff can see trained counselors and mental health professionals at school.
Promote Mental Health Awareness: Hold programs and workshops to educate everyone about mental health and reduce stigma so they feel comfortable seeking help.
Implement Mental Health Days: Allow students and staff to take days off for mental health without any penalties, to recognize that it is important to take breaks.
Create Support Groups: Start support groups where students and staff can share their experiences and coping strategies to build a sense of community.
Integrate Social-Emotional Learning: Teach social-emotional skills in the classroom to help students learn how to handle their emotions and build relationships.
Provide Training for Staff: Train teachers and staff to recognize mental health issues and know how to help students who need support.
Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing their mental health concerns and asking for help.
Collaborate with Community Resources: Work with local mental health organizations to provide extra resources and support for students and staff.
Yan Zhao, Saratoga Mayor
Kitty Moore, Cupertino Council
Jerry Liu, Cupertino Union School Board Vice President
Satheesh Madhathil, Cupertino Union School Board Member
Katherine Tseng, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union HSD Board Member
Sophia Kao, Former Saratoga Union High Board Member
Darcy Paul, Former Cupertino Mayor
Liang Chao, Cupertino Councilmember / Former Vice Mayor, Former Cupertino Union School Board Member
Steven Scharf, Former Cupertino Mayor
Jon Willey, Former Cupertino Councilmember
Lydia Kou, Palo Alto Councilmember / Former Mayor
Lynette Lee Eng, Los Altos Councilmember / Former Mayor
Yang Shao, Fremont Vice Mayor / Councilmember
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Fremont Union High School District Board of Education district 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2024
