Lee Loveridge

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Lee Loveridge

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Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Brigham Young University, 1996

Graduate

University of California, Berkeley, 1997

Ph.D

University of California, Los Angeles, 2005

Personal

Birthplace

Long Beach, Calif.

Religion

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)

Profession

Community college professor

Contact

Campaign website

Lee Loveridge ran for election to the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees to represent Area 4 in California. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Loveridge completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Lee Loveridge was born in Long Beach, California. She earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1996, a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1997, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2005. Her professional experience includes working as a community college professor at Los Angeles Pierce College and at the Long Beach City College. She also taught at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and spent a year working in systems engineering for a defense contractor.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Los Angeles County, California (2020)

General election

General election for Long Beach Community College District Trustee Area 4

Herlinda Chico defeated Richard Gaylord and Lee Loveridge in the general election for Long Beach Community College District Trustee Area 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Herlinda Chico (Nonpartisan)	41.2	20,363
		Richard Gaylord (Nonpartisan)	39.5	19,559
	Submit photo	Lee Loveridge (Nonpartisan)	19.3	9,558

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 49,480
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Loveridge's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Lee Loveridge completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Loveridge's 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.

I am Long Beach born and raised and have lived here for most of my life. I took preschool, summer recreation, and college courses at LBCC. I am a LB Poly graduate and have close family members who attended Millikan, Wilson, Cabrillo, CAMS, and Sato.

I have nearly 20 years of teaching experience including LB Poly, LBCC, and other area schools. I have served as a department chair and as a vice president of my local professional organization. I am intimately aware of teacher, students, and administrative concerns at a college.

I serve with many community groups including my church, BSA, Urban Community Outreach, and AOC7 to benefit the members and landmarks of the community such as Rancho Los Alamitos, El Dorado Park, and many LBUSD schools. I am also involved in local recreation groups such as the rowing club, sailing center, and recreational softball.

I am running for the board of trustees because it is a vital part of our community, providing all with opportunities for self improvement. I believe we are most successful students, teachers, administration, and community work together. I commit to building and mediating these relationships to strengthen our school and our community.

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?

• The board has suffered from internal conflict for many years. Each of my opponents is allied with one or the other of the primary factions. If either of them are elected, it means that one faction will dominate the other. If I am elected, I will work for negotiated solutions between the two.
• I am the only career educator in this race. I communicate regularly with teachers and students and have a clearer understanding of what is and isn't feasible than either of my opponents. I will work with students and teachers to achieve success without burdening them with well intentioned but unworkable expectations.
• Community colleges are the only part of the California public education system that is for everyone, from children through lifetime learners. I will work passionately to maintain access and equity for all who want to learn so that all can succeed.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about education and how it can improve the lives of everyone in the community. I believe that community colleges are one the principal keys to overcoming inequalities in our society and growing our prosperity in a fair and sustainable way.

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

To be honest, I've always looked up to Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. I was fascinated by his show as a child and grew to admire the love and kindness that he showed to all of those around him. He was a pioneer in accepting people of all kinds and loving them for their own abilities. This included people of color, people with disabilities, and people of different sexual orientations.

I also admire how he educated with kindness and patience in a way that each individual could absorb what they personally needed. I try to emulate that in my own teaching.

I'm afraid I don't have quite the patience and sincerity that seemed natural to him, but I try daily to develop those skills while matching his passion for helping others.

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

I am a negotiator and a conciliator. I am generally good at listening to and understanding others' points of view even when I disagree with them. I am generally talented at helping arguing parties to see and better understand the other side's priorities. I am also good at identifying group priorities that we share. This gives me a uniquely strong position to help resolve disagreements within the board of trustees and move to a more cooperative future.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

An elected official's job is to serve their constituents. They need to listen to all constituent opinions while also making decisions based on their own best judgement and be ready to leave office when constituents no longer want their service.

A school board trustee is responsible for making certain that administration works to make the school serve the needs of the community. I believe that is done best when they empower students and teachers to work together for improved understanding and provide them with the resources they need.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Don Quixote. I realize that he was a crazy man, but Cervantes wrote him with a certain respect. He was someone who believed in standing up for what was right and pursuing it regardless of consequences. Cervantes himself had a far more practical version of this ethic, and I hope I can channel it. I know this political race is an uphill battle as I struggle against two far better known and more experienced candidates, but I believe I have the most to offer and can change the balance of power on the board in a more positive way than either of my opponents. I will tilt at this windmill, and with your vote, I may even succeed.

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

A school board works primarily to support the professors and administration to achieve the schools goals of educational success. We act as the school president's supervisor and the representatives of the community in school governance.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are specifically the people of Signal Hill, Avalon, Two Harbors, and the southeast portion of Long Beach California. More broadly I work for the success of all who wish to improve their skills and education within the greater Long Beach area. These are hardworking families and individuals, who work to support one of the most diverse and wonderful communities I know, and I look forward to serving them with all diligence.

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

I will listen closely to faculty and students and direct funds to the areas that are in most need. While our school serves all, I will work to target the needs of those that are struggling without failing to provide instruction and services to those who are thriving. I will work to maintain our vocational skills programs and build our lifetime learning offerings.

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

I will reach out to community and business groups. I hope to develop stronger partnerships for on the job training and better recruitment within the high schools to help people see the value of our community college.

What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?

This is a community college district so the responsible adults are the students themselves. I will work hand in glove with administration and faculty to listen to student needs and provide for their academic, and other needs.

Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?

Absolutely. Our college will be most successful when our teachers share similar backgrounds and experiences with our students. I will work to make certain that people of all genders, races, and ethnicities are recruited to apply for our jobs and strive to consider both how each professor will contribute to our standard of academic excellence and the cultural enrichment of our community.

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.

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