Americans United for Separation of Church and State Orange County Chapter

In November 2020, Allyson Damikolas defeated a twenty-four-year incumbent to the Tustin Unified School District Board of Trustees, representing Area 1. Allyson ran for school board with one goal in mind — to ensure that every TUSD student has the best opportunity to reach their highest potential. Growing up in a Latino family in West Covina, Allyson credits certain teachers and administrators with helping her discover and develop her aptitude for math and science, which inspired her to go to Cal Poly Pomona where she earned a degree in chemical engineering.

Assuming her position on the school board amid a pandemic helped shape Allyson’s priorities. Not only has she focused on improving student performance and graduation rates, while strengthening sports, music, and technical education programs, she was a leading proponent for increased nursing staff and expanded access to food, dental services, and mental health support.

Allyson credits her kids as her primary motivation for running for school board. A mother of three, including children with special needs, Allyson deferred her career as an environmental engineer to devote herself full time as mother, advocate, and community volunteer. Prior to her election, Allyson was active in leadership and civic affairs, having served as PTO President at Columbus Tustin Middle School and Beckman High School, on the Special Ed Community Advisory Board, and on the board of the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts.