Francine Sandoval Announces Candidacy for Colton School Board

Grand Terrace resident Francine Sandoval announced her candidacy for a two year seat on the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) school board. Sandoval is working to represent Grand Terrace and some southern parts of Colton as a trustee for Area 3, currently represented by board members Joanne Thoring-Ojeda, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last December, and Roger Kowalski, whose terms both expire this year. Sandoval’s core philosophy is “building the next generation,” she said. “I would like to participate in creating a culture of empowerment by listening to students, community and staff to provide innovative and fiscally responsible solutions to meet those expressed needs,” said Sandoval, who has worked for 25 years as a clinical social worker. She said she will work toward this goal through creating programs that create easier access for students to higher education, as well as strengthen partnerships between educational and non-profit and faith-based organizations to increase support for parents and students. “In my opinion, a school board member holds a sacred office that requires a genuine heart and a skill set to navigate the balance between advocating for local community needs and concerns and of understanding the global issues the board faces, such as curriculum, budget management and personnel issues,” Sandoval said. She is a CJUSD alumnus and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino and a master’s degree in social work, clinical care and policy from Loma Linda University. As a social worker, she mentored and worked with at-risk youth, former foster youth and students throughout the Inland Empire, assisting them in areas of education, housing, independent living skills, transportation, and budget and finance. “The education of our young people is incredibly vital to me,” Sandoval said. “…I believe my experience as a former business owner allows me personal insight to understand the incredible importance of responsibly spending each and every tax dollar and my history as a clinical social worker gives me the ability to advocate and to be a voice for the voiceless.” Other Area 3 candidates are: Thoring-Ojeda, Kent Taylor and Jennifer Araiza.