Hosted by The Downey Patriot and the Downey Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 29, the 2020 Downey School Board Candidate Forum allowed residents in Downey to learn about each candidate, their vision, and why they are the best choice to represent the trustee areas that they are running for.

Running for Trustee Area 2, Cathay Ballon-Godinez explained at the forum that her experience as an engineer and her community service, in the Assistance League, Downey youth Football, Kiwanis Club, and the PTA at Griffiths Middle School, prove that she is qualified to solve complex issues that come her way. If elected, she intends to prioritize student health and safety, fiscal responsibility, and transparency. She also wants schools to reopen as she believes that the best way for students to enhance social skills is not through a computer.

Also running for Trustee Area 2, Angie Rademaker believes that her extensive knowledge and experience make her a qualified candidate. As someone who has held several positions at Rio Hondo Elementary school, Griffiths Middle School, Warren High School, and the Downey Adult School including Bilingual aid, office manager, PTA president and vice president, and community volunteer, Rademaker hopes to remain an asset to the district as a school board member.

The final candidate for Trustee Area 2, Jose Rodriguez, a civil engineer believes he has a chance at getting elected due to his long involvement with the community. Aside from serving as a coach in DJAA and the AYSO leagues and as PTA president at Gallatin Elementary, he highlighted that when he is not working, he is building relationships with parents, students, and community leaders, which he thinks is key to serving on the board. Rogriguez also prides himself on being endorsed by board member Tod Corrin, who is retiring after 19 years representing Trustee Area 2.

Running for Trustee Area 3, Carlos Avalos claims that his understanding of public education’s value is why he should be elected to the school board. If elected, he intends to focus on increasing college and career readiness numbers since he cited that only 43% of students are prepared for the real world despite a 96% percent graduation rate as well as ensuring that schools are reopened safely and the interests of the students are being served during the Covid-19.

The DUSD Board of Education elections are on Nov. 3. All information was obtained from the DUSD School Board Candidates Forum.