Bruce Dennis

Bruce Dennis is a member of the Riverside County Board of Education in California, representing Area 4. He assumed office in 2011. His current term ends on July 1, 2028.

Dennis ran for re-election to the Riverside County Board of Education to represent Area 4 in California. He won in the general election on March 5, 2024.

Dennis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bruce Dennis earned a high school diploma from El Modena High School and a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1983. His career experience includes working as a government administrator. As of 2024, Dennis was retired.^[1]

Dennis has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[1]

California School Boards Association, board of directors
Riverside County School Board Members Association
California County Boards of Education, past state president

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

Incumbent Bruce Dennis defeated Sergei Vinkov in the general election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4 on March 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bruce Dennis (Nonpartisan)	91.0	43,563
	Sergei Vinkov (Nonpartisan)	9.0	4,299

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,862
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Dennis's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dennis in this election.

2020

General election

General election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

Incumbent Bruce Dennis defeated Marlon Ware in the general election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4 on March 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bruce Dennis (Nonpartisan)	64.2	38,173
	Marlon Ware (Nonpartisan)	35.8	21,279

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 59,452
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Bruce Dennis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dennis' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

Bruce has been a resident of our community for over 30 years. He is not a politician, but an individual who continues to step up when needed. Classroom volunteer PTA officer School Site Council District committees Local school board member State Delegate Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition (current) Riverside County Board of Education (current)

DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO ADVOCACY Being a member of the Riverside County Board of Education should be so much more than just showing up at meetings to vote. A quality board member needs to be a true advocate for our children, not just locally, but to truly make an impact, needs to be a voice at the state level as well.

Bruce’s current statewide involvement: Board of Directors, California School Boards Association Legislative Committee, California School Boards Association Annual Education Conference Committee, California School Boards Association

Previous statewide involvement: State President, California County Boards of Education Board of Directors, California County Boards of Education

BRUCE’S BACKGROUND

He has an extensive background in child advocacy and education. 25 years in education, seventh year on the Board of Directors of the California County Boards of Education, including one term as the State President. He is in his fourth year on the Board of Directors of the California School Boards Association.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

School safety and physical safety:
>Additional school resource officers, and funding for additional training opportunities. >School site modifications to limit access points.
>Increased frequency of joint active shooter drills with local law enforcement and other first responders.
Academics: >Increased academic rigor to prepare students for college and the workforce. >Career Technical Education (CTE) courses that lead to a career path, not just a specific job. >Increased correlation between math and the workplace applications. >Increase college graduation rates by increasing AVID participation so that every child has the skill sets to actually graduate from college, not just enroll. >Continue the county’s focus on financial literacy so that they understand the long impact of decisions after high school graduation.
Equitable practices >Providing support and services to meet the individualized needs of every student? >Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) in TK through sixth grade to help students get back to grade level >Focus at the state level to increase funding outside of Prop 98 to provide the expanded support structure to provide for educational equity programs. >Increase the number of counselors at each school site with mental health backgrounds to help identify and provide services to our students and to utilize to focus on chronic absenteeism.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education advocacy to ensure adequate funding to ensure that every student has the opportunity and assistance to become the best possible student and citizen upon graduation This is accomplished by providing overarching educational goals, support and services leading to high school graduation, college readiness, and career preparedness of all county students enrolled in public education.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

When I was 13 years old my father passed away, moving my family from middle class to poverty overnight. I have a deep and personal understanding of how quickly a family’s circumstances can change and how that can destabilize a student, and impact their odds of success.

What I didn’t understand at the time, was that I was fortunate, because I had a village. The two families down the block treated me as if were a member of their families. The Lees and the Levines. The Lees helped me maintain my moral compass. Without them it would have been easy for me to lose my way.

Mrs. Levine was the driving force in my education. She was the person I had to show my report card to. This amazing woman held me accountable for my actions and instilled confidence in myself.

Serving on the county board of education, I get to pay this forward. I get to be part of our students' village.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The job extends to well beyond the boardroom. If all a county board member does is attend meetings to casts votes they are failing to maximize the impact the title allows. A county board member needs first to have a background in youth advocacy, this position is not a first step. You must have time to advocate on behalf of the students at the state and federal level. Lastly, a board member needs to attend ongoing training just like staff needs to in order to stay current on issues, educational theory and the law.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

A county board member must advocate at the state and federal level for full and fair funding. The Riverside County Office of Education gets 36% of its funding from the federal government unlike a local districts 12%. A board member needs to advocate against unfunded mandates that while well intended, encroach on the general fund.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Judy White, former Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Chuck Washington, Riverside County Supervisor, Third District
Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, Riverside County Supervisor, Fifth District
Kevin Jeffries, Riverside County Supervisor, First District
Michael A. Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney

California Teachers Association
Riverside County Office Teachers Association
Riverside County Sheriff’s Association
California School Employees Association, Chapter 693

Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer
Mark Takano, United States House of Representatives
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, California State Senator
Richard Roth, California State Senator

partial list

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.

Note: Dennis submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on February 25, 2024.

October 23 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Bruce Dennis is a proven advocate for the students and parents of Riverside County.

He currently serves in leadership positions on two statewide education organizations. He is serving his third term on the Board of Directors of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) representing over 1,000 local and county boards of education, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the California County Boards of Education (CCBE) since 2015. Mr. Dennis also served as the 2018 President for CCBE. Originally appointed to the Riverside County Board of Education in 2011 and subsequently re-elected in 2012, 2016 and 2020, he has been a tireless advocate for children at the local, state and federal levels. From 1995-2008, he served on the Nuview Union School District’s Board of Education.

Mr. Dennis has an extensive background in child advocacy and community service. He served nine years on the Board of Directors of the Riverside County School Boards Association, including one term as President. He served 14 years CSBA’s Delegate Assembly representing both Riverside and Imperial counties. He has served appointments to CSBA’s Legislative, Policy Platform, Small School District, Annual Conference and Bylaws committees. He also served six years as a Federal Government Relations Chair for CSBA. He is an eight-time participant of the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Advocacy Institute, as well serving as a member of their Federal Relations Network.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

School safety: * Additional school resource officers, and funding for additional training opportunities. * School site modifications to limit access points. * Increased frequency of active joint active shooter drills with local law enforcement.
Increased academic rigor to prepare students for college and the workforce: * Career Technical Education (CTE) courses that lead to a career path, not just a specific job. * Increased correlation between math and the workplace applications. * Increase college graduation rates by increasing AVID participation so that every child has the skill sets to actually graduate from college, not just enroll. * Continue the county’s focus on financial literacy so that they understand the long term impact of decisions after high school graduation.
Equitable practices, providing support and services to meet the individualized needs of every student: * Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) in TK through sixth grade to help students get back to grade level. * Focus at the state level to increase funding outside of Prop 98 to provide the expanded support structure to provide for educational equity programs. * Increase the number of counselors at each school site with mental health backgrounds to help identify and provide services to our students and to utilize to focus on chronic absenteeism.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe that every child has the ability to learn regardless of their socioeconomic background if they are provided with the individualized tools and skill sets to succeed in school. Data shows this is particularly important in kindergarten through third grade where foundational skills are developed.

We must prepare our children to compete in both career and college environments. Career Technical Education (CTE) must be focused on career paths, not just a job out of high school. The job of K-12 education is to maximize options for our students, whether it is college, or career. No child should ever leave high school without a road to success!

Lastly, a position on a County Board of Education is unique. The title opens doors to influence legislation and policy, particularly at the state level. This takes dedication and a commitment of time to stay informed and become engaged beyond just casting votes and showing up ceremonies. Failure to do so, is a failure to maximize the impact the position affords. This is job for individuals with a history of youth advocacy, not partisan advocacy.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Former Nuview Union School District Superintendent, Dr. Jay Hoffman. He was simply simply the kindest, most gentle man I have ever known.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

There are three foundational qualities that are required: empathy, a passion to serve, and the time to do the job right. Absent these three primary qualities, there is simply no way you can do the role of a County Board Member to its fullest. No amount of what looks like the right skill sets on paper can ever make up for any one of these three foundational qualities, let alone the absence of all three.

What legacy would you like to leave?

While I have more than a few years of service behind me already, the flame of service still burns as bright as ever within me, otherwise I would not be running. I think we are always looking to reduce the dropout rate, to try to get in front of outside influences that pull on students resulting in their failing to attain a high school diploma. Today, more than ever we need to ensure the health and welfare of the whole student.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Salesperson working my way through college at The Broadway where I met my wife of 42 years, Robin.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming poverty, which also leads to why I serve. I can relate to the challenges students the County Office of Education serves. When my father passed when I was 13, my family moved overnight from middle class to poverty.

I share this to help people understand why I serve. What I didn’t understand at the time, I was actually fortunate, as I had a village. Two families down the block treated me as a member of their families. The Lee’s helped me maintain my moral compass, as without this it would have been easy for me to lose my way. Mrs. Levine was another story, she was the driving force in my education, you see it was Mrs. Levine that I had to show my report card too, not my mother. This amazing woman held me accountable for my actions.

Coming full circle now, I want to be part of our student's village. I want to ensure that each and every student is provided with the opportunities and tools they need to be successful.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

Maximize student learning and prepare students to be contributing citizens.

Who are your constituents?

I serve both the parents and the students, their needs needs need to always be be at the forefront of every decision I make.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

This falls back to my third key message. Equitable practices, providing support and services to meet the individualized needs of every student: * Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) in TK through sixth grade to help students get back to grade level. * Focus at the state level to increase funding outside of Prop 98 to provide the expanded support structure to provide for educational equity programs. * Increase the number of counselors at each school site with mental health backgrounds to help identify and provide services to our students and to utilize to focus on chronic absenteeism.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I have always strived to reach out to a broad cross section of the community, this is is not something new I need to begin to target. This is reflected in the diversity in my endorsements, the events I attend and participate in. I have always been accessible to engage in dialogue with my constituents by email, by personal cell or in person.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS

Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Judy White, former Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Michael A. Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney
Mark Takano, United States House of Representatives
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, California State Senator
Richard Roth, California State Senator
Dr. Corey Jackson, California State Assembly Member
Jack O’Connell, former CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Bill Zimmerman, Mayor, Menifee
Lisa Sobek, Council Member, Menifee
Michael Vargas, Mayor, Perris
Marisela Nava, Mayor Pro Tem Perris
David Star Rabb, Council Member, Perris
Malcolm Corona, Council Member, Perris
Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor, Riverside
Neftali Galarza, Mayor Pro Tem, Coachella
Damon Alexander, Council Member, San Bernardino
Grant Bennett, Superintendent, Perris High School District
Dr. Sam Buenrostro, Superintendent, Corona Norco Unified
Virginia Blumenthal, Trustee, Riverside Community College
Jhalister Corona, Trustee, Mt San Jacinto Community College
Tom Ashley, Trustee, Mt San Jacinto Community College
Dr. Gwen Dowdy, San Bernardino County Board of Education
Rick Shea, President, San Diego County Board of Education
Guadalupe Gonzalez, San Diego County Board of Education
Lucy Hendry, President, Imperial County Board of Education

RIVERSIDE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Ray “Coach” Curtis, Board President
Ben Johnson II
Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs
Elizabeth Romero
Dr. Wendel Tucker (ret)

LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Bob O’Donnell, Menifee Union
David Nelisson, Perris High School
Linda Lunn, Murrieta Unified
Cynthia Navarro, Romoland District
Dr. Angelo Farooq, President, Riverside Unified
Dr. Noemi Hernandez Alexander, Riverside Unified
Tom Hunt, Riverside Unified
Robert Garcia, President, Jurupa Unified
Melissa Ragole, Jurupa Unified
Eric Ditwiler, Jurupa Unified
Brandy Clark, Moreno Valley Unified
Ruth Self-Williams, Moreno Valley Unified
Jesus Holquin, Moreno Valley Unified
Cleveland Johnson, Moreno Valley, Unified
Stacey Acevedo Nicola, Corona-Norco Unified
Marla Kirkland, Vice President, Val Verde Unified
Linda Porras, President, Desert Sands Unified
Adonis Galarza Toledo, President, Coachella Unified
David Sanchez, President, Beaumont Unified
Abigail Medina, San Bernardino City Unified
Felicia Alexander, San Bernardino City Unified
Sophia Layne, President, Cabrillo Unified
Jerry Bowman, former Menifee Unified
Robin Crist, former Murrieta Unified

Kris Thomasian, former Murrieta Unified

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

Class sizes of 28 students or less with engaged teachers and parents resulting in high achieving students. Teacher aides to help students on an individualized basis, or to allow teachers to use their advanced skills to go into small group teaching. Pullout programs as needed to bring all students to grade level.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

The key is and always will be accessibility. This means showing at events, at board meetings, going into the audience before meeting to engage the audience, not showing up just before a meeting and using the dais to isolate myself from those I serve.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

The county board is unique from a local board. At the county you have an independently elected County Superintendent of Schools. It is the County Superintendent who all employees work for. Together with the County Superintendent, the County Board utilizes a shared leadership model. Through this shared leadership model the board can help to create a positive working environment that makes it easier for the County Office of Education to attract and retain the very best talent in the education community. This is exactly what has happened and is currently happening at the Riverside County Office of Education.

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.

Note: Dennis submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 23, 2023.

2020

Bruce Dennis did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidate

Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

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Footnotes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 25, 2024

[bio-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 25, 2024

[1]

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Bruce Dennis

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

Endorsements

2020

General election

General election for Riverside County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2020

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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Public Policy

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