Q&A Profile: Meet ABC School Board Candidate Armin Reyes

Editor's Note: Armin Reyes is running for a four-year term alongside candidates Henna Sharma, Louise Dodson, and fellow incumbents Maynard Law, Celia Spitzer, and Sophia Tse. 

Name: Armin Reyes

Age: 49

Educational background: M.A. Negotiations and ConflictManagement CSU Dominguez Hills

Current job/career: Labor Representative United Nurses Association Of California/Military Officer US ArmyReserve/Current Board Member ABCUSD

Married? Children? Yes and I have three children. Ian (junior at Cerritos High School), Julia (freshman at Cerritos High School), and Michael (5th grader at Cerritos Elementary School)

What city do you live in? Cerritos

What is your favorite book? T.R Biography of Theodore Roosevelt

What is something unique the public doesn’t know about you? Nothing unique.

What term are you running for in the Nov. 8 ABC School Board election? 4-year term

Why are you running for a spot on the ABC School Board? Continue the projects and plans of the district in delivering the highest quality of education to our students.

What is your personal experience or personal ties you have with the ABC Unified School District? My experience with ABC has always been a positive encounter. There are issues that we faced, however the way the District handle and resolve the issues is very professional. All three of my children are current ABC students.

In your opinion, what is the most critical problem that the district faces? Funding

How do you feel about the district’s push to hire specialized and professionally trained individuals, such as counselors? Is this a necessity? I am in favor of hiring specialized and professionally trained individuals and it is a necessity.

Should the district have to undergo another round of budget cuts, where should the cuts in funding be made? Away from the classrooms.

What is your stance on implementing more career-oriented and technical study courses in the school curriculum? I agree.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? My experience with the staff and the community.

If elected, what will you do to make a difference in the ABC Unified School District? Continue to support the current strategic plan.

If anything, what needs to change in the district? More PTSA partnership in higher grades.

In the past you have taken leaves due to your military duties as an Army Reserve. How do you juggle these responsibilities? I keep in touch with the district administrators via e-mail, phones and other available technologies.

How can the district change perceptions that some high schools are better than others? We need to highlight the different and unique successes in the respective high school, i.e. API progress, CAHSSEE passing rate, AP classes etc. Each high school is very successful in their own way.