Michele Sparks
Michele Sparks is a member of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District school board in California, representing Trustee Area 2. She assumed office on December 13, 2024. Her current term ends on December 8, 2028.
Sparks ran for election to the Saddleback Valley Unified School District school board to represent Trustee Area 2 in California. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Sparks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Michele Sparks was born in Fontana, California. She earned a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in 1998. Her career experience includes working as a small business owner and in human resources, recruiting, and sales.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Saddleback Valley Unified School District, California, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Saddleback Valley Unified School District school board Area 2
Michele Sparks defeated Scott Miller in the general election for Saddleback Valley Unified School District school board Area 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michele Sparks (Nonpartisan)  | 52.5 | 10,260 |
 | Scott Miller (Nonpartisan) | 47.5 | 9,282 | |
| Total votes: 19,542 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sparks in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michele Sparks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sparks' responses.
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Those who know me understand my deep passion for public education. My commitment to serving our public schools stems from my personal experience as a first-generation college graduate, in which my teachers/counselors inspired me and provided the guidance I needed to succeed. I am determined to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education and the tools necessary for their success.
Over the past 13 years, all three of my children have attended schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD). I have actively advocated for education in our schools, serving in various capacities, including PTA/PTO President at Valencia Elementary and La Paz Intermediate, chairing numerous PTA events and programs from K-12, and holding positions such as President of the Educational Foundation, SVPTA Council President, SVPTA VP of Advocacy, and member of School Site Councils K-12 and PBIS teams. I also had the privilege of chairing the SVUSD College & Career Fair, along with participating in numerous other committees.
This extensive experience has equipped me with firsthand knowledge of our schools and the leadership skills essential for serving on the School Board. Additionally, my degree in Business and my work experience in human resources, recruiting, and managing multiple small businesses further enhance my ability to contribute effectively to SVUSD.- A key role of being a board member is having a say in how the district's budget is spent, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to areas that need them most, such as classroom materials, teacher salaries, and extracurricular programs. Michele has served on site council at all levels in SVUSD, attends board meetings regularly & has been a voice in the LCAP process year after year. As President of the Education Foundation, Michele works in partnership with the district to help support additional needs for our students & teachers that might not otherwise be possible. This, in addition to other involvements, has given her an understanding of SVUSD's budget needs, restrictions & requirements.
- Michele will be a voice for all stakeholders in our community. Joining the school board enables her to advocate for the interests and concerns of parents, students, and teachers, ensuring their perspectives are included in the decision-making process. She is here to listen & be a voice for all stakeholders. Serving on the school board will allow Michele to champion transparency and hold the administration accountable, building trust, partnership and confidence in the school system.
- Ensuring safe and healthy learning environments in our SVUSD schools is crucial for student success. This involves implementing comprehensive safety measures, such as secure facilities and emergency preparedness, alongside fostering mental well-being through counseling services, anti-bullying programs, and open communication. By addressing both physical and mental health needs, we create a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally.
Transparency, Open Communication & Community Engagement: Building trust with the community is key, and that starts with transparency. When we’re clear about the “why” behind our decisions and openly listen to community feedback, we create a foundation of accountability and trust. Our schools are the heart of our community, so a board member should always welcome input from parents, students, teachers, and residents.
Commitment to Equity: Education should be accessible and fair for every student, regardless of background or ability. I believe a school board member should champion policies that work to close any gaps in educational opportunities.
Collaboration and Partnership: Education takes teamwork across all levels—administrators, teachers, parents, and board members. Working together with respect for each role’s unique perspective is essential to making decisions that truly benefit our schools.
Fiscal Responsibility: Managing district resources responsibly is vital. A board member must understand fiscal management to ensure every dollar serves students effectively while keeping budgets sustainable.
Forward-Thinking Vision: College and career readiness, technological growth, and safe, supportive school environments are areas I believe we should constantly strive to enhance, ensuring our students are prepared for an evolving world.
Setting the Vision and Goals: School boards shape the district’s long-term vision for student success. It’s our job to set clear goals focused on academic achievement, student well-being, and creating a positive and safe learning environment.
Developing Policy: Policies provide a foundation for consistency and fairness in our schools. The board establishes and updates policies that cover everything from curriculum and student conduct to budgeting and facilities, ensuring they align with our vision and values.
Hiring and Evaluating the Superintendent: Choosing and supporting the right superintendent is crucial. As a board, we’re responsible for hiring and regularly evaluating the superintendent, who then leads day-to-day operations and brings our goals to life within the schools.
Overseeing the Budget: Fiscal oversight is a key part of our role. Approving and monitoring the district’s budget means we’re responsible for ensuring resources are used wisely, aligning spending with our goals, and maintaining transparency with the community.
Advocating for Students and Education: Board members must champion the needs of our students, advocating for policies, funding, and resources that enhance their education. This often involves working with local and state leaders to support initiatives that strengthen our schools.
Engaging with the Community: We represent our community’s voice. Listening to parents, students, teachers, and residents helps ensure our decisions reflect the community’s values and needs, building trust and partnership.
Looking back on all my jobs and experiences, I see how they have shaped me into the person I am today. They instilled in me a sense of grit and resilience, but they also filled me with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had along the way. These experiences ignited a desire within me to help kids like me—those who may face challenges but are determined to succeed. I believe that every student deserves the chance to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Maintain Open Communication: I will keep lines of communication open by engaging regularly with parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders. My experience positions me to connect naturally with families, students, teachers & our community.
Attend Community Events and Meetings: I will actively participate in school and district events, such as PTA meetings, performances, and community forums. This will allow for informal conversations and shows my commitment to the community.
Listen Actively: Listening to concerns and ideas is crucial.
Leverage Established Networks: Drawing on my relationships with staff, teachers, and families, I will foster collaboration and spread positive messages about district initiatives through trusted connections.
One key strategy is to engage with local, state, and federal representatives to advocate for increased education funding. This can involve meeting with legislators and mobilizing community members to support initiatives that call for budget increases. Building strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations is also essential; these collaborations can lead to sponsorships, donations, and grants that enhance school programs.
We should actively seek grants from government and private sources that support specific educational initiatives, such as technology upgrades or infrastructure improvements. Engaging parents and community members to create a network of advocates is crucial. Organizing community forums can raise awareness about funding needs and encourage collective action.
Fundraising initiatives, like auctions and community events, can also help raise funds while fostering community spirit. Promoting the achievements of SVUSD schools through social media and local media outlets can create positive narratives that encourage support and attract potential funding sources.
Collaboration with the Saddleback Valley Public Schools Foundation can help identify funding opportunities and align initiatives with the district’s strategic goals. Engaging parents and community members to create a strong educational foundation is key.
Communicating clearly about specific funding gaps and their impact on students can mobilize community support. Lastly, working with district leadership to prioritize funding needs and develop a strategic budget plan will ensure effective resource allocation to support student achievement. We must continue to engage our stakeholders for their feedback in the LCAP process.
Having served on school site councils at all levels, I have gained valuable insights into our safety plans and have had the opportunity to ask questions and provide parent input on these important matters. Our district is committed to safety and takes it very seriously. We have engaged a safety consultant to evaluate our school sites and are actively implementing recommendations based on their findings. Our collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is essential, and having School Resource Officers (SROs) at every school helps ensure a proactive and supportive safety presence.
An inclusive culture is essential, celebrating diversity and ensuring all students feel supported. Meeting students where they are in their learning journeys is crucial, as each individual has unique strengths and challenges. Strong relationships between students and teachers are vital, with approachable educators providing personalized support. Mentorship programs and peer support systems help students build friendships and feel secure.
Safety, both physical and emotional, is a top priority. Classrooms should be comfortable and engaging, creating a culture where students can express themselves freely. The curriculum must be rigorous yet accessible, offering opportunities for exploration. Differentiated instruction is key to meeting students at their individual levels, ensuring that all can engage meaningfully through hands-on and project-based activities that stimulate critical thinking.
I envision a space where students take an active role in their learning and decision-making. Collaborative projects promote teamwork and communication skills, fostering ownership and responsibility.
Additionally, the learning environment should extend beyond the classroom, actively involving families and the community in education. Partnerships with local organizations can enrich the curriculum and reinforce the importance of education.
Building upon this foundation, I will continue to prioritize open communication and transparency with parents in our district. I plan to actively engage with families, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
To achieve the best outcomes for our students, we must offer competitive wages to attract and retain top talent. It’s equally important to provide comprehensive benefits and foster a healthy work-life balance for our teachers, who face numerous demands in their roles. Recognizing their efforts and ensuring consistent support are essential for their well-being.
I have recently engaged with local representatives to discuss the potential pooling of teacher benefits as an incentive for all California educators, aiming to provide high-quality and affordable benefits. Additionally, I am focused on local recruitment efforts, working with community colleges and other organizations to inspire students about future careers in education. By highlighting the rewarding aspects of teaching and creating pathways into the profession, we can generate enthusiasm among prospective educators.
Our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) provides a framework for our district to demonstrate accountability by outlining specific goals, actions, and metrics for student achievement and well-being. I strongly support using the LCAP as a tool to engage our community in discussions about funding priorities and educational outcomes. This includes soliciting input from parents, teachers, and local organizations to ensure that our decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of those we serve.
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 Saddleback Valley Unified School District school board Area 2 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 30, 2024
