Martin Ross (California)

Martin Ross ran for election to the San Juan Unified Board of Education to represent Area 4 in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Martin Ross earned a high school diploma from San Juan High School. He earned a bachelor's degree, studying chemical engineering with an environmental emphasis at the University of California, Berkeley. He also earned a graduate degree from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2015. His career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for San Juan Unified Board of Education Area 4

Nick Bloise defeated Catrayel Wood and Martin Ross in the general election for San Juan Unified Board of Education Area 4 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Nick Bloise (Nonpartisan)	48.7	9,409
	Catrayel Wood (Nonpartisan)	26.9	5,191
	Martin Ross (Nonpartisan)	24.4	4,722

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,322
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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

2022

General election

General election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 2

Incumbent Robert Jones defeated Martin Ross in the general election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Robert Jones (Nonpartisan)	55.6	37,492
		Martin Ross (Nonpartisan)	44.4	29,978

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,470
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Martin Ross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ross' 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.

It's All About Access: My campaign for School Board is focused on ensuring our students and families have the access they deserve—access to educational success, access to career preparation (trades/college, etc.), and access to safer schools.

Additionally, 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.

With your support, we can provide the resources our students need to succeed, and we can make a real difference. We're better together giving access to our kids.

For more about me and what we can do together, please go to www.electmartinross.com or https://linktr.ee/martinross

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?

Access to Educational Excellence:
Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of income or neighborhood. Our commitment is to ensure that all students have access to the resources and support they need to excel academically, including personalized learning plans and modern technology.
We need to recognize all staff involved in giving our kids an education: high-quality existing and recruited teachers, counselors, nurses, early child educators, special education teachers, and others. These staff deserve competitive compensation and benefits for their hard work and dedication. We need to give all a listening ear and create an environment where staff can voice their concerns and ideas freely for opportunity for every student.
Access to Preparedness for Careers & Workforce Development: In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial that our students are prepared for the workforce upon graduation. This priority focuses on providing students with a robust curriculum that includes college preparatory courses, trade and technical education options, and real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships. Our goal is to ensure that every student has a clear path to a successful career, whether that be in college or in a trade (including STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & mathematics)).
Access to Safer Schools: The safety of our students, teachers, and staff is paramount. To create safer school environments, we propose the implementation of comprehensive safety plans supported by teachers, classified staff, administrators and of course parents that includes background-checked retired mentors, as well as the adoption of advanced intervention and prevention strategies. By strengthening our school safety measures, we can provide peace of mind for everyone in our educational community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) 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. 2) Additionally, Access to excellence must include all voices, including those of special education

students-I stand w/them. My election will help strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for all stakeholders.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

“Access for All” video by Martin Ross for School Board 2024: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Pw3WOLJ4M

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, having the right skills and background, and the desire to serve and listen to all stakeholders . I’m not running because I want to be a politician. I’m running because all my life, including my professional career, I’ve been a public servant. My goal is to leave this world empty, because all the gifts that I’ve been given, I’ve freely given away. Practical, compassionate, innovative. That’s me. My fifth and sixth grade and high school student government, San Juan teachers of the year, and all of my endorsers testify to this. My life service is to do good in the neighborhood. Please check out my social media links and my website, or even ask around, and you’ll see that I have a reputation of outstanding character in my leadership roles and personal life.

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

Providing over-site of the following: Setting the direction for the district by involving parents/guardians, community, students and staff, while focusing on student learning and achievement.

• Establishing an effective and efficient structure by employing the superintendent, developing and adopting policies, establishing academic expectations and adopting curriculum and instructional materials, establishing budget priorities and adopting the budget, providing safe and adequate facilities to support student learning, and setting parameters for negotiations with employee organizations and ratifying collective bargaining agreements.
• Providing support to the superintendent and staff by following standards of responsible governance, making decisions and providing resources that support district priorities and goals, upholding board policies and being effective spokespersons by being knowledgeable about district programs and goals.
• Ensuring accountability through evaluation of the superintendent; monitoring and evaluating policies; serving as a judicial and appeals body; monitoring student achievement and program effectiveness; approving, monitoring and adjusting district budgets; and monitoring the collective bargaining process.

• Providing community leadership and advocacy on behalf of students, the district's educational program, and public education in order to build support within the local school community and at the state and national levels.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as a person who gave it my all. My goal in life is to leave this world empty because all the gifts I’ve been given, I have freely given away. If I can help someone along the way my living will not be in vain. We are better together, giving access to our kids.

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

As mentioned above, providing over-site of the following: Setting the direction for the district by involving parents/guardians, community, students and staff, while focusing on student learning and achievement.

• Establishing an effective and efficient structure by employing the superintendent, developing and adopting policies, establishing academic expectations and adopting curriculum and instructional materials, establishing budget priorities and adopting the budget, providing safe and adequate facilities to support student learning, and setting parameters for negotiations with employee organizations and ratifying collective bargaining agreements.
• Providing support to the superintendent and staff by following standards of responsible governance, making decisions and providing resources that support district priorities and goals, upholding board policies and being effective spokespersons by being knowledgeable about district programs and goals.
• Ensuring accountability through evaluation of the superintendent; monitoring and evaluating policies; serving as a judicial and appeals body; monitoring student achievement and program effectiveness; approving, monitoring and adjusting district budgets; and monitoring the collective bargaining process.

• Providing community leadership and advocacy on behalf of students, the district's educational program, and public education in order to build support within the local school community and at the state and national levels.

Who are your constituents?

All voter stakeholders in the school district Area 4 that I will represent once elected, as well as serving the entire constituency of the district (all students, parents of students, classified staff, faculty, and administrators)

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

I will continue you the goals of

Collaborative Leadership

I don’t stand alone. I collaborate with community leaders, parents, and educators. Together, we’ll shape policies that empower our schools. My “10,000” hours of community service have taught me that transformation happens when we work hand in hand.

Your Voice Matters

I’m not just running for the school board; I’m running to amplify your voice. Let’s build bridges, break barriers, and ensure that our schools reflect our shared values. together in this journey toward accessible, impactful education.

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

Access to excellence must include all voices. 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.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Excellence in teaching is possible with collaboration between all stakeholders to best support what teachers need to foster excellence in learning based on evidence based practices.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Access to Preparedness for Careers & Workforce Development:
In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial that our students are prepared for the workforce upon graduation. This priority focuses on providing students with a robust curriculum that includes college preparatory courses, trade and technical education options, and real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships. Our goal is to ensure that every student has a clear path to a successful career, whether that be in college or in a trade (including STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & mathematics)).

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

The district’s proposal for a $950 million dollar facilities improvement bond: 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.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Access to Safer Schools:
The safety of our students, teachers, and staff is paramount. To create safer school environments, we propose the implementation of comprehensive safety plans supported by teachers, classified staff, administrators and of course parents that includes background-checked retired mentors, as well as the adoption of advanced intervention and prevention strategies. By strengthening our school safety measures, we can provide peace of mind for everyone in our educational community.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Peers helping peers is an effective way to help students, faculty and staff with real time resources to augment what is provided by the school district and by staff and student medical benefits for mental health resources. This is an emerging evidence based practice.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

Again, 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.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

https://www.electmartinross.com/materials-for-learning

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

The smallest classes possible with collaboration between all stakeholders to best support what teachers need to foster excellence in learning based on evidence based practices.

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

The pandemic was a major event that took us all by surprise, and revealed the inadequacies of infrastructure preparedness to educate our kids and provide our teachers with the tools to instruct. I believe the school district did its best, but now that we have more information, should another major disruption event occur, we will all be much more prepared from what we have all learned.

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

Again, access to excellence must include all voices. I am semi-fluent in Spanish and know how to say hello in 30 different languages. I’ve been a bridge builder or “Puente”, Spanish for bridge, in every community that I’ve served (from Native American tribal groups, to Compton, to semi rural communities like Modesto and Lodi , to running major social services, sheltering, and workforce development programming in large cities such as Sacramento and Seattle at the rank of Major in The Salvation Army. I do the work, and I’ve done the work in practical, compassionate, and innovative ways. No other candidate can match my energy, presence, accessibility, experience and skill sets with making successful community transformation happen, especially with limited resources which is on the horizon for all schools districts as American Rescue Plan dollars run out that our schools used to leverage to close needed gaps in services. Necessity is going to require invention to continue those needed services, and I am the person who can help solved this dilemma, because I’ve done it before, and I can help do it again.

As mentioned, 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.

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

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.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential. School board members are servants that should make sure that all actions are visible to the public for whom we serve. Without it, there is diminishing faith in our government be it local or state or national.

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.

2022

Martin Ross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ross' 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 the Best Candidate to Help Deliver Success and Here's Why

A hand up and not a handout: workforce development through trade skills and higher education for all levels of income is a need of our society that our community college system can impact. I am compassionate, practical, and concerned and the best candidate to help deliver success in meeting that need.

I grew up and went to K-12 schools in Orangevale & Citrus Heights. I live in Carmichael and have been married 30 years. My kids attend American River College. I am a graduate of the Los Rios Faculty Diversity Internship Program. I know my block neighbors. My career has been fully committed to public service and to unifying people in business practical ways. I have 19+ years of nonprofit executive leadership success in establishing and maintaining diverse community transformation through workforce development (culinary, construction, manufacturing), innovative programming & management development in metropolitan, inner-city and semi-rural communities (budgets $10M and under), utilizing analytical experience, fundraising, strategy, capacity building, and negotiations with government & industry (MBA & Engineer). I am on the Sacramento Housing Redevelopment Agency Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (Chair 2022).

I am endorsed by County Supervisor Rich Desmond and many others like you:

Professor Heidi Bennett, American River College

Dr. General Davie, Former Superintendant San Juan Unified School District

Trish Caldwell, PhD, Retired Dean Career Tech. Education American River College

Nola Castle, SJUSD Teacher of year, 40 years, teacher trainer SCOE, my favorite 5-6th grade teacher (formative years)

Katherine Kaylon Hazelwood McBride, Citrus Heights Nonprofit Board, Realtor, M.S. Education, San Juan Senior Class President 87

Philip Bensing, Former American River College Quarter Back, Deputy Dir. Nonprofit

Markton (Mark) Ross, San Juan Student Body President Class of 87’, Church Leader

Elizabeth Hudson, Executive Deputy Dir. Homeless Assistance Programs

Jean Fox, TV and Film Professional

Sally Forcier Film Producer & Casting Director

Valorie Ross, Professional Educator

Enmartz Anderson, Field Clinical Rep. Medical Device

Nancy Kunes All State

Julia Dare, Professor of Business/Management, Business Professor

Mickey Ross, Reverend, D.D., DSc, US Navy Capt. (Ret), Founder Ross Co. Engineering Services LLC

Tanisha Boardway, Mortage Loan Originator

John Curtis, CPA

Rodney Hicks, Father, Educator, USAF Tech Sgt. (Ret.)

Bill Cross, Ret. Inner-city Ministry Dir.

Leland Johnson, Relator

Daniel Chapnick, Talent Aquisition Specialist

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?

Roadmap to Success for all students, faculty, administration & classified employees
Workforce Development: Introduce students to higher wage career employment through degrees/certifications/transfers to universities and/or through vocational/career technical education
Track Open: Let’s get the athletic track back open at American River College, improving physical and mental health for the entire community

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Best Value in town for everyone is our Community Colleges:

Let’s maximize that value by solving that 20% +/- drop in enrollment by reaching the hard-to-reach, never reached, and need-to-be-reached populations

...of moderate to low-income individuals, immigrants, and those that feel that community colleges are not fully accessible to them where they live, work, play and pray. I’ve been successfully making those connections between the underserved, industry, and career training institutions in business practical ways all my professional career, and will continue to do so when you elect me as Trustee, Los Rios Community College District 2 November 8 (American River College area: Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale)

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

Honest, Direct & Respectful. I have truly put in my "10,000 hours" in business practical/community public service and know how to make a difference by giving a hand up and not a hand out to the hard to reach, need to be reached, never reached, and to those who know how to get there. If I can help somebody along the way, my living has not been in vain, as I have "left the world empty" because all the gifts that have been given to me, I have freely given away (please see my candidates statement "Why I Am the Best Candidate", bio, professional experience and links).

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

He has been married since 1992, has three adult daughters, is a black belt martial artist and a talented steel drum player and percussionist.

Locally, Martin is a Sacramento area resident who knows all of his neighbors, really likes building relationships with people from all kinds of backgrounds, is an excellent problem solver, speaks Spanish semi-fluently and knows how to say hello in about 30 languages. He attended Sacramento area schools (K-12 grades) and was born to parents retired from the US Air Force (McClellan) and school teaching.

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

Martin is currently the Deputy Director of External Affairs, Partnerships & Workforce Development at the Health Education Council, serving the Sacramento Region and beyond, where they are addressing health issues and closing the “gaps” related to the Social Determinants of Health in underserved communities (Access, Education, Economic Well-Being/Workforce Development, Safety (Intervention & Prevention), Social Connections/Mental Health). He is a graduate of the Los Rios Faculty Diversity Internship Program, and also currently serves as Chairman of Sacramento County Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee and is a Commissioner with the Sacramento Housing Regional Authority. Martin has truly put in his “10,000” hours in areas related to successfully transforming communities in workforce development and in leading and designing programs for Culinary Arts, Construction Training and Plastics Manufacturing, etc. .

A true leader, Martin has served in non-profit executive leadership roles for 20+ years with Ready To Work (working with the formerly incarcerated and the homeless) and with The Salvation Army throughout California and the Western United States as an officer at the ranks of Major and Captain (Scottsdale, AZ; CA: Compton, Modesto, Lodi, Sacramento; WA: Seattle).

Martin graduated with a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and completed his Master’s in Business Administration from California State University Monterey Bay. He has a passion for social justice, multicultural outreach, capacity building for community transformation, and workforce development, along with the impact he believes whole person and whole family approaches can play in these areas. His travels through Europe and specifically South Africa and Zambia, as well as serving in underserved communities in both city and semi-rural communities, have shaped and confirmed his belief that community-based outreach is key to transforming lives.

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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Candidate

San Juan Unified Board of Education Area 4

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2022
↑ Ballotpedia's Elections Team, “Email communication with Martin Ross," October 17, 2022
↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2022

[2] Ballotpedia's Elections Team, “Email communication with Martin Ross," October 17, 2022

[3] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024

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Martin Ross (California)

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for San Juan Unified Board of Education Area 4

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 2

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

See also

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Footnotes

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