SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Today, Shana Hazan, former public school teacher, parent of an SDUSD student, and candidate for the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Board of Education District B, announced that her campaign has been endorsed by California Assemblymember Chris Ward (District 78).
Assemblymember Ward, who represents Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, and parts of San Diego, has served in the State Assembly since 2020 and sits on the Select Committee on Early Childhood Development. In Sacramento, Ward is working to expand access to pre-K and higher education and ensure more funds get into California classrooms. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Ward represented District 3 on the San Diego City Council.
“Shana Hazan is a leader we can count on to build a better school district for children across San Diego. I have known Shana for years and have been impressed by her commitment to strengthening our community and improving the lives of children and families,” said Assemblymember Ward. “Shana is goal-oriented and understands the importance of achieving measurable outcomes. As the father of two young children, it is particularly important to me that we have a parent on the school board who understands the lived experiences of district families.”
“I want to thank Assemblymember Ward for believing in my experience and our movement and endorsing my candidacy for School Board District B. He has been a formidable leader for our children and the critical early years of their development in the Assembly, and I’m honored to have his support,” said Hazan. “On the School Board, I’ll build on the work I’ve been honored to do as Vice Chair of First 5 California, and build healthier communities, and stronger, more equitable schools that allow every child to succeed, and deliver the change and accountability our schools need.”
Hazan, who was recently unanimously elected Vice Chair of First 5 California, where she’s working alongside the state’s Surgeon General to guarantee quality early care and education for California’s youngest children, enters the race with a growing list of respected supporters, including the San Diego Education Association, Congressman Scott Peters, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, former Congresswoman, Assemblywoman, and SDUSD Board Member Susan Davis, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo, San Diego City Councilmember Dr. Jen Campbell, and First 5 California Chief Deputy Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong. In December, Hazan announced the support of seven members of the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission: Commission Vice Chair Dolores Canizales, Commissioners Kristin Rizzo, April Purcell, Kathie Moehlig, Tammy Gillies, and Tyler Duncan, and Commissioner and San Diego County Human Relations Commission Vice Chair Nicole Murray Ramirez.
Born and raised in San Diego, Hazan is a fourth-generation San Diego Unified graduate. 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. Hazan also 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.
As a parent, Hazan has been engaged in transforming her neighborhood public school, Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School in Midcity. Hazan is Vice Chair of First 5 California, appointed by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, where she shapes state policy and makes funding decisions for a $300 million annual budget. She is immediate past Chair of the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission, serves on SDUSD’s Superintendent Search Committee, is the immediate past president of the Friends of Franklin Elementary School Foundation, a member of the Franklin Elementary School Site Council and the San Diego Unified District Advisory Council (D.A.C) on Compensatory Education, and is a board member for Impact Cubed.
Hazan and her husband, Marc, live in Kensington where they’re raising their two daughters, the oldest of whom attends their neighborhood school in San Diego Unified. If elected, Hazan will be the only Board Member with a child in San Diego public schools.
For more information on Shana Hazan for School Board, please visit ShanaforSchoolBoard.com.
*
Preceding provided by Shana Hazan for School Board