Newcomers Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez will join the
top vote getter, Javier Aguirre, and Tom Bundros on the school
board
Gilroy – Javier Aguirre, Denise Apuzzo, Tom Bundros and Francisco Dominguez emerged victorious in a five-way battle for four seats on the Gilroy Unified School District’s board of trustees. The top four candidates were separated by less than one percent and Ardy Ghoreishi lost by a narrow margin.
Incumbent candidates Javier Aguirre and Tom Bundros succeeded in keeping their seats, earning 22.03 percent and 21.05 percent of votes respectively, and newcomers Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez won two seats to be vacated by current trustees Jim Rogers and David McRae, both of whom decided not to run for reelection. Apuzzo took 21.85 percent of the votes and Dominguez won 18.94 percent. Ardy Ghoreishi narrowly lost with 16.13 percent of the votes with 49 of 57 precincts reporting.
“It’s humbling to be able to keep my seat on the board and I’m pleased voters trust me serve for the next four years,” Aguirre said at his home Tuesday night. He celebrated with several friends, extended family, balloons and plenty of food.
Bundros watched results come in on his computer at home. He and his wife, Tina, celebrated quietly at home with grapes and baklava.
“I think we’re going to have a terrific board,” Bundros said. “Javier has experience, Francisco has experience and Denise has been so active in the schools and has been to so many board meetings that I think we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
Ardy Ghoreishi’s wife said he was asleep at 11:30pm and was unavailable for comment on his flagging numbers.
“I’ve been watching TV and sitting at the computer, and whenever I see the numbers come in, it’s a rush,” Dominguez said. “It was a challenge for me to come in to the race as an unknown, but I think I proved I have plenty experience to benefit the board, and now I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”
Despite its significant local impact, the school board race did not resonate with Gilroy voters in the same way as propositions and the gubernatorial race. Many voters said they didn’t vote for board members because they don’t have small children.
But for those who do have children, the race was vital.
“I have one child left in the school system, so the school board race was important to me,” said Julie Robinson, mother of three. “There have been a lot of changes in the last couple of years and I have some concerns. I think there were good people running – people who understand how important parent involvement is at all levels of school. My child will be in high school next year, and I think the majority of the people running understand that some improvements need to be made in high school education.”
Kim Watkins, who voted at the Sunrise Fire Station, agreed that the school board race was important. She said she’d like to see academics, such as math scores, improved at Gilroy schools and she felt certain candidates were more likely to make those improvements.
“The school board race was very important to me,” said Lisa Magana, a parent voting at Brownell Academy. “I’m personally a firm believer in people having a child in the system in order to govern the system, so that’s something I look for. If you care enough to put your child in this school system, then you care enough to govern it.”
This election comes on the heels of one of the biggest board controversies of the year: the decision on whether Gilroy High School cheerleaders should miss three days of school to go perform in the National Football League’s Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Bundros voted against the trip while Aguirre voted for the girls to go. Bundros said if he had lost the reelection because of his vote, it would have been OK with him because his vote reflected his principles.
Improving academic scores in Gilroy schools was top priority for Aguirre, Bundros, Dominguez and Apuzzo. Aguirre and Apuzzo both said GHS was a specific area of concern.
“I know we’re going to have new members on the team, and like any process where you have new membership, it’s going to take a while to get to know each other and focus on how we can be consistent in moving the district forward,” said Edwin Diaz, GUSD’s superintendent, before results were in. “But it’s always kind of an exciting time when you have a new board, and I’m looking forward to continuing work to improve instruction, finalizing funding for Christopher High School and continued work toward accountability.”
