Dear community member,
Today I’m thrilled to announce the selection of two student trustees who will serve on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education throughout the 2025-26 school year. Following interviews at last night’s special board meeting, trustees were selected for two roles: a countywide seat open to any high school student and a second seat reserved for a student from an Alternative Education program.
Watsonville High senior Vicente Guillén Martínez was selected to serve as the at-large student trustee. A leader of Empower Watsonville and graduate of the 2025 Student Trustee Academy, Vicente hopes to elevate student voice in Board decisions, expand access to resources like tutoring and transportation, and champion stronger mental health supports. He also aims to help peers understand how the Board works so more students feel informed, included, and empowered to engage.
El Nido senior Ash R. Immoor brings the perspective of students in alternative learning programs. A former Outdoor Science School counselor and Student Trustee Academy graduate, Ash plans to be an accessible advocate — listening to classmates and surfacing solutions that address root causes of challenges tied to mental health, attendance, and academic success. He said equity will guide his approach, including new ways to gather student input on budgets, agendas, and school climate.
Both of these outstanding student leaders will be sworn in at the September 18 board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St., Santa Cruz. Friends, family, and interested community members are invited to attend.
Congratulations to Vicente and Ash, and sincere thanks to each of the inspirational applicants — all of whom have been invited to serve on a new Student Advocacy Council this year to help advise and inform education policy across our county.
I also want to recognize the talented student trustees who are serving on district Boards of Education this year, many of whom I had the pleasure of getting to know at this summer’s Student Trustee Academy.
With student leaders like these, the future of public education is in good hands.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools