East Palo Alto / Ravenswood

I have been a public-school teacher for 28 years, 15 at Belle Haven School in Ravenswood where I taught first grade, third grade, and was a Teacher on Special Assignment. I am running for school board because I want to be in-service to more students in my community than I could reach as a classroom teacher or nstructional coach and interventionist. My goals are: Increasing enrollment through marketing the unique programs available here to attract families and implementing universal preschool. Improve fiscal responsibility by ensuring that money is used strategically in service to the students and seek new sources of revenue. Address the inequities that affect historically underserved students including Black, LatinX, English learners, and students with learning differences.

I am Ravenswood District parent. In EPA, we are blessed with a diverse community that is deep and tight-knit, with neighbors who are family. With your vote, I will use my past experiences teaching preschool and college classes to provide insight into educators' perspectives. My current work counseling high school students to prepare successful college applications helps me understand student needs in our district. With your vote, I will add a dynamic voice to the Ravenswood City School District Board. I am committed to the East Palo Alto community, and I will drive positive change for the benefit of our schools. I promise to be an effective, well-informed, and deeply invested servant for the flourishing of our community.

Coming soon!

My name is Marielena Gaona-Mendoza, I am a mother of four adult children and live in East Palo Alto. I am running for a second term to finish the work that I started. If I win a seat, preparing our students for high school will be one of my top priorities, the second one will be hiring and retaining experienced and full credential teachers. Another priority of mine is to address the technology divide in our district by hiring more savvy tech teachers and providing our teachers with mandatory technology professional development. My third priority is to make sure that our school campus is clean.

Coming soon!

I am a long term resident of East Palo Alto. My dream has always been to find ways to help people. I grew up in programs like The East Palo Alto Jr. Golf Program and College Track. After I graduated and spent some time overseas, I returned to the community to continue to find ways to give back. I worked within Ronald McNair Academy and Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School for 4.5 years engaging with students and families and connecting them to mental health and social services.

I am running for the Ravenswood City School District Governing Board because I care about the quality of education and the experience the young people and families have.

My name is Joel Rivera. I became a U.S. citizen to run for school board. I started my career as a laborer on a construction site and worked my way up to superintendent. Currently, I am a construction labor manager. I am married to a 20-year teacher in the Ravenswood District, Jesusita Rivera. We have two beautiful children who we are raising in East Palo Alto, where we have lived for 20 years. If elected, I would like to increase enrollment by providing universal preschool at all sites and provide before school supervision starting at 7:30am. I would also like to improve fiscal responsibility in the district and implement the district’s 5 year strategic plan.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

I want to bring fresh ideas and positive change to East Palo Alto by running for city council. As a graduate of San José State University, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Biological Science and Chemistry. I currently work as a Data Scientist at Genentech. In addition to work, I’ve been an advocate for programs such as BUILD that teach entrepreneurship to high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them attend college. My goal as a council member is to improve quality of life, health and housing security for all members of our community. I look forward to the honor of serving our community of East Palo Alto.

As a former Ravenswood student (first attending Edison Brentwood Academy, then Ronald McNair), I have an intimate knowledge of what our youth need to succeed. My campaign is centered in uplifting our most vulnerable pockets on this city—from the single mother tenant struggling to pay her water bill, to our homeless students in Costano. For this reason, all members of my field team are high-school and first-generation college students. I am running on affordable housing, safer streets, and youth development. Nothing short of state and federal aid will ensure our community survives one of the worst housing crises we’ve seen in decades. What I offer to the City Council is someone who will work tirelessly be a bridge for success.

My name is Juan Mendez, I am a son of immigrants, a recent college graduate from UC Berkeley and a current Planning Commissioner Alternate. I want to improve our traffic, build more affordable housing, create opportunities for youth, and create a progressive climate action plan. My education in Legal Studies and Public Policy has taught me that the policy we set forth in this city must be equitable to everyone in our community. My experience as a commissioner has allowed me to understand what our city needs. Lastly, my work in nonprofits has taught me that we can solve any issue if we work together. Together we will build a city that will serve our children for generations to come.

Councilman Larry Moody, an Air Force veteran, devoted husband, and father of four sons. He was elected to the City Council in 2012 and has served as Vice-2016-Mayor & Mayor-2017. Following 16 years as a manager in the Hospitality Industry, he came to EPA in 1992 to support local leaders in the war on drugs. He served on the Ravenswood City School Board 2006-10 and Founding Board member of the Ravenswood Educational Foundation. Larry serves on the Peninsula League Executive Committee, and the San Mateo County Task Force on Jobs and Housing. Active on numerous Boards and Associations thru out Silicon Valley representing East Palo Alto.

Priorities: Affordable Housing, Local Job Creation, Open Space and Recreation and Traffic.

Coming soon!