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Valerie Magdaleno

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Valerie Magdaleno
Image of Valerie Magdaleno
Santa Ana Unified School District school board Trustee Area 2
Tenure

2024 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

0

Predecessor
Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Santa Ana High School

Associate

Santa Ana College

Bachelor's

California State University, Fullerton

Graduate

California State University, Long Beach

Personal
Birthplace
Santa Ana, Calif.
Profession
Community Development
Contact

Valerie Magdaleno is a member of the Santa Ana Unified School District in California, representing Trustee Area 2. She assumed office on December 13, 2024. Her current term ends on December 8, 2028.

Magdaleno ran for election to the Santa Ana Unified School District to represent Trustee Area 2 in California. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Valerie Magdaleno was born in Santa Ana, California. Magdaleno's career experience includes working in community development. She earned an associate degree from the Santa Ana College, a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Fullerton, and a graduate degree from the California State University, Long Beach.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Santa Ana Unified School District, California, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Santa Ana Unified School District school board Trustee Area 2

Valerie Magdaleno defeated Lloyd Boucher-Reyes in the general election for Santa Ana Unified School District school board Trustee Area 2 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Valerie Magdaleno
Valerie Magdaleno (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
76.9
 
6,718
Lloyd Boucher-Reyes (Nonpartisan)
 
23.1
 
2,015

Total votes: 8,733
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Born and raised in Santa Ana, Valerie is a proud product of SAUSD, and attended Lowell Elementary, Mendez Intermediate and Santa Ana High School. She understands firsthand the challenges students can face but also the opportunities the district can provide to our students. As co-president of her neighborhood association, Valerie has worked to bring city resources and services directly to local families and students, strengthening the community’s connection to support systems. Throughout her campaign, Valerie remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of community leaders and ensuring SAUSD is a district where every student can thrive.
  • Valerie is committed to prioritizing community schools to provide comprehensive support services, addressing students’ academic, emotional, and social needs for their success. School safety is also a priority because every student deserves a secure, supportive environment where they can focus on learning and reaching their full potential without fear of harm.
  • Ensure financial accountability and transparency so that today’s funding is effectively invested in resources and programs that directly benefit today’s students.
  • Advocate for student representation on the board giving students a direct voice in decisions that impact their education and school experience. Strengthen communication and partnerships between SAUSD, parents, and community members to build a unified support system that enhances student outcomes
I’m passionate about public policies that focus on education, housing, and overall student well-being. One of my key priorities is expanding affordable housing, as I believe stable housing is essential for families and directly impacts students’ academic success.

Equitable access to education is also a top focus. I advocate for policies that promote student representation, expand community schools, and strengthen special education resources. It's crucial to prepare students for life beyond the classroom by providing the support and skills they need to succeed.

Additionally, I’m focused on ensuring students have access to green spaces and mental health resources.
As a candidate for the SAUSD Board, Valerie Magdaleno brings several key qualities that will contribute to her success as an officeholder.

First and foremost, her commitment to education drives her dedication to advocating for policies that support student success and teacher retention. Valerie understands the challenges facing schools and is passionate about creating an environment where every student can thrive.

Additionally, her focus on community engagement allows her to build strong relationships with families, educators, and local stakeholders. With experience in outreach, she ensures that diverse perspectives are heard and that everyone has a voice in decision-making processes.

Collaboration is essential in governance, and Valerie prides herself on her ability to work well with others. She values teamwork and has a proven track record of partnering with board members, district staff, and community organizations to implement effective solutions for schools.

Moreover, Valerie is dedicated to promoting equity and inclusivity within the district, ensuring that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their background. Her background in public administration equips her with analytical and strategic thinking skills, enabling her to evaluate complex issues and develop plans aligned with district goals.

She possesses strong communication skills, allowing her to clearly articulate ideas and maintain transparency with stakeholders. Keeping the community informed about decisions and initiatives is a priority for her.

Finally, Valerie approaches challenges with a problem-solving mindset and is committed to identifying barriers to student success while collaborating to find innovative solutions. By leveraging these qualities, she is confident in her ability to serve effectively on the SAUSD Board and make a positive impact on students and the community.
I am committed to supporting the mental well-being of our students because it is crucial for their overall development and academic success. Today’s students face immense pressure to achieve good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, and navigate everyday challenges. Prioritizing mental health resources in our schools can help them cope with these pressures, fostering resilience and providing the support they need to thrive. By creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe to express their emotions, we empower them to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.
Supervisor Sarmiento, California Young Democrats, Latinas Lead, Women in Leadership, and California School Employees Association.

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


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 9, 2024