SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Shana Hazan, Sen. President pro Tem Toni Atkins’ appointment to the First 5 California Commission, former public school teacher, and parent of a San Diego Unified School District student, formally kicked off her campaign today for the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, District B. The district encompasses Canyon Hills High School, Patrick Henry High School, Scripps Ranch High School, and 26 elementary and six middle schools. Also included in District B are the Language Academy of San Diego and five charter schools.
Hazan is a fourth-generation San Diegan and graduate of Scripps Ranch High. Hazan and her husband Marc live in Kensington where they’re raising their two daughters in San Diego Unified schools. She is the great-granddaughter of Abe and Anne Ratner, namesakes of the Ratner Children’s Eye Center at UC San Diego; granddaughter of Stan and Pauline Foster, who both served as president of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, and the daughter of David and Marcia Hazan (a longtime Jewish Family Service board member.)
“As a statewide commissioner fighting for high-quality early learning opportunities and a former public school teacher in under-resourced communities, I know a high-quality education that meets the needs of children and families can transform lives and strengthen communities. Today, about half of all students in San Diego Unified are not meeting grade-level standards. I’m running for School Board because we need real accountability on the Board that addresses the inequities that have long existed in our school system and the toll COVID-19 has taken on our children’s social-emotional well-being and academic achievement over the last year.” Hazan said in a statement.
“As a parent of a child who attends school in the district, a former educator, and proven community leader, I am committed to building an education system rooted in equity and ensuring that our students in every neighborhood have access to schools that develop their full potential and prepare them for the careers of the future. On the School Board, I will work in partnership with parents, teachers, students, and school leaders to implement systems and provide resources for our children to thrive and succeed.”
Hazan has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting children and building thriving communities. She started her career as a public elementary school teacher in underserved communities before heading up a program that makes it safer for kids to get to and from school, and designing and launching a statewide school fitness program, an anti-hunger initiative, and a service-learning and leadership program for high school students across San Diego. As a parent, Hazan has been actively engaged in transforming her daughter’s public school, Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School.
Hazan chairs the San Diego Human Relations Commission and was appointed by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins as one of seven First 5 California commissioners, where she makes funding decisions for a $300 million annual budget. She was appointed to the San Diego Unified’s Superintendent Search Committee, is the President of the Friends of Franklin Elementary School Foundation, a member of the Franklin Elementary School Site Council, and the SDUSD District Advisory Council (D.A.C) on Compensatory Education.
Hazan served as Chief Philanthropy Officer for Jewish Family Service of San Diego where she managed a $28 million annual fundraising program, secured millions in funding for educational programs and social services for seniors, asylum seekers, and low-income families, and earned a reputation for rallying diverse teams and delivering results.
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Preceding provided by Shana for School Board