With the election falling on Nov. 5, the Capistrano Unified School Board members are running for election once more against new candidates.
For Trustee Area One, incumbent Amy Hanacek is running against Jennifer Adams. For Trustee Area Two, incumbent Michael Parham is running against Lisa Zollinger. For Trustee Area Three, incumbent Lisa Davis is running against Sherine Smith. Lastly, incumbent Krista Castellanos is running against Sonia Terwiske for Trustee Area Five. All candidates are considered nonpartisan.
Starting with Area One, Hanacek was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She is a Dana Point resident and covers portions of San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Dana Point including Capistrano Beach. Schools in her current boundary include R.H. Dana Elementary School, Early Childhood Center, Palisades Elementary School, Shorecliffs Middle School and Dana Hills High School.
Her opponent, Adams, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has experience as a teacher.
Through Candidate Connection, Adams shared, “I am a parent and teacher with 30+ years in education. I have worked with students in all grades TK-12. I’ve taught in a variety of educational settings: public, private, homeschool and public charter school. My husband is a long-time middle school math teacher at Capistrano Unified School District. He has taught there for almost 30 years.”
For Area Two, Parham is running to continue covering portions of San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Las flores, Rancho Mission Viejo and Coto de Caza. He represents Chaparral Elementary School, Esencia K-8 School, Ladera Ranch Elementary School, Oso Grande Elementary School, Wagon Wheel Elementary School, Ladera Ranch Middle School and San Juan Hills High School.
His competition, Zollinger, has lived in Orange County for over 20 years. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah and went on to teach fourth grade. She is passionate about ensuring that every child is provided with a high quality education.
For Area Three, Davis is a resident of San Clemente and was first elected to the Board in 2020. She represents Truman Benedict Elementary School, Concordia Elementary School, Las Palmas Elementary, Marblehead Elementary School, Clarence Lobo Elementary School, Vista del Mar K-8 School, Bernice Ayer Middle School and San Clemente High School.
Her competition, Smith, is a former teacher, middle school principal, high school principal, district superintendent and San Clemente resident.
Through a survey with Candidate Connection, she shared about the area of public policy she is most passionate about: “Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. Our democracy relies on thoughtful and informed citizens. It is our duty to teach civics, history and the fundamental principles of our democratic society to students. A high quality public education enables students to pursue rich and fulfilling lives and it provides the foundation for success in college, careers and the military.”
For Area Five, Castellanos, current Board President, represents portions of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. First elected in 2020, the schools in her district include Don Juan Avila Elementary School, Canyon Vista Elementary School, Oak Grove Elementary School, Wood Canyon Elementary School, Aliso Viejo Middle School, Don Juan Avila Middle School and Aliso Niguel High School.
Running against her, Terwiske earned her bachelor’s degree from Biola University and has experience working in business.
Terwiske shared her plan to support the diverse needs of the district’s students, faculty, staff and community: “Of the many things I hope to accomplish, I would ensure that parents who are not fluent in English are informed and involved in their child’s educational journey. Often, parents who do not speak fluent English shy away from involvement even if they want to. I would hope to connect with them and in fact, urge our teachers to connect with them.”
With signs pitched up at every intersection, the current candidates for the School Board are campaigning and fighting for a spot to represent a district in CAPOUSD.
