Two candidates with different visions for the future of Capistrano students, share their ideas
Judy Bullockus was elected to the Capistrano Unified School District Board in 2018. She served as an appointed member in 2017 to fill the vacancy of outgoing member Lynn Hatton-Hodson.
Having served five years as a board member, Bulllockus hopes to continue to serve the students and families of Area 7 by ensuring that students come first in all decision making, and by actively communicating with those students and families as district policies are being evaluated.
If elected, Bullockus aims to preserve American values in public education, increase post-secondary opportunities, and promote innovation. She’d like the students of the district to be prepared “to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
Bullockus who was President of the Board in 2012, saw Capistrano students be among the first to safely return to the classrooms. She is against Covid mandates imposed on students, by the state.
Prior to becoming a board member Bolluckus served five years as Commissioner for the City of Mission Viejo. She also has over thirty years experience serving in marketing and management positions in the retail industry.
“All students should have the same access to the excellent educational experience our two children had at CUSD. That’s why my committed focus as School Board Trustee is individual student success.” Bullockus states.
Jeanette Contreras and her husband live in Mission Viejo with their three children. She arrived in this country as a refugee when she was just eight years old and has been in public service for almost thirty years.
Contreras, a library director for the past fourteen years, hopes to be a voice for the underrepresented by bringing diversity to the board. “I believe our strengths lie in our differences and our abilities to support one another,” she says. “I can bring a voice for parents, students, volunteers, and community members who seek change but may find accessibility to communicate limited.”
If elected Contreras will focus on: awareness and training on dealing with violence & disruptive behavior including physical, mental, and cyber bullying; work with valued City partners to increase the number of school resource officers; accessibility to mental health services, and investment in healthy and clean facilities.
Contreras holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Library Science. She’s served on the Chamber of Commerce, the Homeless Intervention of Orange County, Rotary, and Roundtable Women’s Club, and is a board member of the California Library Association and the Boys & Girls Club in Orange County.
She’s endorsed by the teachers’ union – Capistrano Unified Education Association, the Democratic Party of Orange County, the Democratic Women of South Orange County, Canyon Democrats and Women for American Values and Ethics
Area 7 covers Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza and parts of Rancho Santa Margarita.
