What motivated you to run for a position on the board of trustees or city council?

Lopez:
My job is not finished as a Trustee for the Whittier Union High School District. I continue to strive for bigger and greater achievements including in academics, athletic competition, recruiting the best employees, and having the best overall classroom experience for students, teachers and classified staff. 

Moe:
I was motivated to run for WUHSD Area 2 because several people approached me and asked me if I was interested. I have many years working as a youth leader and I really enjoy it. I was compelled to run when I discovered that 49 percent of Hispanic males are graduating with D’s and F’s.  This is a social and economical problem which must be identified and resolved. Transparency is very important to me regardless of how it is perceived.  Every student matters and deserves to get a good education including students with special needs. I bring great ideas and diversity to my community.

What applicable qualifications do you have?

Lopez:
As a community leader I have the experience on serving on various boards.  Most recently, November of 2020, I was elected by voters to represent Area 2 of the Whittier Union High School District. Within the 3+ year timespan, under my leadership, the District has: 

• Successfully saved the District one million dollars by opting to appoint a board member instead of holding a costly election to fill the vacancy
• Established strong agreements between the District and both classified employees’ and teachers’ unions
• Renovated academic and athletic facilities to better prepare students for real-world competition
• Achieved CIF Southern Section and State championship status 
• Focused on student achievement by introducing new programs and reinstating existing ones
• Doubled the number of community members that sit on the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for Measure AA 

It is also worth mentioning that he is proud to have earned a Trustee of the Year Award from the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association (LACSTA).

Moe:
I am a community leader and I am very involved in my community.  I serve on several local boards such as Whittier Sunrise Rotary, Whittier Regional Symphony and The East Whittier Arts and Educational Foundation. I support the Interact Club at California High School where forty to fifty students are all college bound. I support music education and raising money for our high school bands through the Battle of the Bands, a successful event that is supported through the Rotary club and our local high school bands.  Music and art are very important to me and I see the great benefits that it brings to our students and their futures. I make it a point to get to know my community and to understand their needs and wants.  I feel that I connect to my community very well.

What changes will you be advocating for if elected?

Lopez:

• Lowering the academic counselor/student ratio
• Increasing the A-G rates 
• Increasing the English Learner re-classification rates
• More community involvement

Moe:
I will advocate for more investment in the classroom to ensure that all students and teachers have the resources and tools needed to be successful and to make sure that our students have a clear path to education.  I want to see more investment in Vocational/trade classes such as welding, HVACR. plumbing, construction, carpentry so that some of our students are employable after leaving highschool.  Our students will have a great opportunity to continue their education and become Entrepreneurs in our community. I will advocate for financial literacy courses and mental health and drug use resource centers.We can help many students who are experiencing trauma and drug use.  We must all be transparent that we must provide services to all students and staff who need help.  I also want to get rid of old policies that are old and outdated. 

Candidates contact information:

Jaime Lopez, Whittier Union High School District, Trustee Area 2
Website: www.jaime-lopez.com
Instagram: @trusteejaimelopez
Cell: (562) 451-4292
Email: [email protected]

Magdalena Moe, Whittier Union High School District, Trustee Area 2
Website: www.magdalenabarragnon.com 
Instagram: @Maggie4whittier
Cell: (714) 345-2309
Email: [email protected]