Two candidates are running to represent the Eastside on LAUSD’s school board: incumbent Rocío Rivas and Raquel Zamora, who currently heads the School Attendance Review Board for the district’s Region East.
The school board’s District 2 includes Boyle Heights, East LA, Echo Park, Highland Park and El Sereno, and it’s one of seven seats on the board. Board members are nonpartisan and vote on the more than $18 million budget of LAUSD, the second-largest district in the U.S. Notably, board members also hire and remove the district’s superintendent. Current Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been on paid administrative leave since February, when the FBI raided his home and district office.
Vote centers open May 4, and mail-in ballots will also be sent to voters then. Ballot drop boxes open May 5, and the primary election is June 2.
Rocío Rivas
About the candidate: Dr. Rocío Rivas is Vice President of the LAUSD Board of Education, representing Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Northeast Los Angeles, Silver Lake, and MacArthur Park. The daughter of working-class immigrants, she attended LAUSD schools and was bused across the city to get to school. She began her career as a preschool teacher assistant, became a parent leader, and earned a PhD in Education from Columbia University. On the Board, she has fought for higher pay for teachers, more classroom support staff, and stronger pathways to college and good-paying jobs. As a parent in LAUSD, she is focused on building on recent progress while delivering real results for students and working families.
How will you invest in school programs and services to keep students enrolled in public schools?
When schools feel like a place students belong, they stay, engage, and succeed. Over the past two years, LAUSD students have made gains in reading, math, and science, and my focus is on building on that progress.
That means continuing to invest in what is working, including strengthening literacy in grades K–3, small-group tutoring, and strong instruction, while expanding access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways so students graduate with college credit, job skills, and real options. We also need to direct resources to the highest-need schools so students who need more support get it.
I’ve fought for higher pay for teachers, more counselors and support staff, and smaller class sizes, because retaining experienced educators is critical to student success. I will continue to support investments in arts, athletics, enrichment, and school modernization that improve learning environments.
That also requires disciplined budgeting, with stronger oversight of contracts, reduced unnecessary spending, and a focus on classroom investments. I will continue supporting partnerships with community organizations and colleges to expand opportunities without shifting costs onto families.
How will you support immigrant students and families, especially around language access, legal resources and protections from immigrant-related fear or disruptions at school?
Immigrant students and families need to know their schools are safe and prepared. I have supported reaffirming LAUSD as a sanctuary school district, and also authored a Board resolution directing the District to review and limit contracts with vendors connected to immigration enforcement practices that raise civil rights concerns. Access to legal support is critical. My office works with immigrant rights organizations and City Council offices to coordinate Community Defense and Know Your Rights trainings, along with immigration legal clinics and rapid response networks so families have trusted places to turn.
Those protections must be consistent at every school. That means clear protocols, regular staff training, and direct communication with families in their home languages so they understand their rights. Language access has to be real, with timely translation and support so families can fully participate in their child’s education.
What else will you promise to people in the community?
I will continue building on the progress we’ve made by focusing on results, supporting educators, and making sure every school is a place where students can learn and succeed.
Looking ahead, I will focus on strengthening the district’s financial stability so we can protect and expand the programs families rely on. That includes pushing for additional state funding, maximizing local bond investments, and improving transparency. I led a Board effort to create a public contract dashboard so families can see exactly who the district is paying, how much is being spent, and where those dollars are going. That transparency helps identify waste and strengthens oversight.
I also want to make sure more students graduate with real options. I will continue expanding career and technical education, dual enrollment, and partnerships with colleges and employers so students can earn college credit, gain job skills and real-world experience, and access good-paying jobs.
I will continue to prioritize resources for our highest-need schools so all students have access to strong programs and opportunities. Families should be able to see results, trust decisions, and know their children have a real path forward.
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Raquel Zamora
About the candidate: I am a lifelong educator, mental health practitioner, and community advocate with over 20 years of service to LAUSD students and families. Born and raised in Boyle Heights.
My family owns Zamora Brothers, a neighborhood staple for more than 55 years. I currently serve as the School Attendance Review Board Chair for Region East, supporting 150 Pupil Services and Counselors across 256 schools in improving enrollment, attendance, and providing resources for chronically absent students. In addition, I teach English as a Second Language to adults at Evans Community Adult School and the East LA Skills Center.
How will you invest in school programs and services to keep students enrolled in public schools?
As a teacher and counselor with 20 years of service in LAUSD, I understand where the
gaps are and what it takes to keep students enrolled in our public schools. In my current role as a Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, I work directly with students and families every day, giving me firsthand insight into their needs, concerns, and expectations.
Families want a high-quality education, personalized attention, and programs that make learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. Students want to feel supported, challenged, and excited to come to school. When schools meet these needs, families choose to stay.
To strengthen enrollment, I would invest in programs that make school sites more attractive and reflective of community interests. This includes expanding Dual Language programs, STEAM and Magnet programs, and Career Technical Education pathways that prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond graduation. These programs not only boost engagement but also give families compelling reasons to remain in public schools.
Equally important is investing in before- and after-school programs for our working-class families. Many parents depend on schools for safe, structured care outside traditional school hours. I vividly remember a mother calling in desperation, asking for a before-school program that could start at 5:00 a.m. because she needed to be at work by 5:30 a.m. That call will always remind me of the real-life challenges our families face.
By investing in quality programs, extended learning opportunities, and family-centered supports, we can create schools that truly serve our communities and keep students enrolled for generations to come.
How will you support immigrant students and families, especially around language access, legal resources and protections from immigrant-related fear or disruptions at school?
As the daughter of immigrant parents, supporting our immigrant students and families is
not only part of my professional work—it is deeply personal and a top priority. In my current role, I serve as a first responder when students’ parents are detained, working closely with school staff to ensure students are safe, supported, and able to continue their education during extremely traumatic moments.
Our schools must be places of stability, compassion, and protection. I would continue to invest in programs like the Compassion Fund, which provides critical assistance to students and families affected by ICE raids and immigration enforcement actions. These funds help families meet urgent needs such as food, transportation, housing stability, and school-related expenses during times of crisis.
I would also strengthen partnerships with trusted nonprofit organizations to expand access to immigration legal resources and know-your-rights support for families. Providing accurate information and legal guidance helps reduce fear and confusion while empowering families to make informed decisions.
Equally important is expanding mental health services for students and families
impacted by detention and deportation. The trauma of family separation can have long- lasting effects on a child’s emotional well-being, behavior, and academic performance. Schools must be equipped with counselors, social workers, and culturally responsive supports to meet these needs.
I know this pain firsthand. I experienced separation from my father after he was deported, twelve years before his passing. That experience drives my commitment to ensuring immigrant students and families feel seen, protected, and supported. When we prioritize our immigrant communities, we create schools where all students can learn, heal, and thrive.
What else will you promise to people in the community?
For too long, families and educators have heard promises that do not translate into meaningful change. My focus has always been on commitment—showing up, working hard, and advocating for what is best for students, families, educators, and the staff who serve them every day.
For over 20 years, I have worked directly with students in our schools as both a classroom teacher and a school counselor. These roles have given me firsthand knowledge of the academic, social, and emotional challenges students face, as well as the realities families navigate while trying to support their children’s success. I understand the pressures placed on educators and staff, and I value the critical work they do to create safe, supportive, and effective learning environments.
My experience has taught me that meaningful progress comes from listening, collaboration, and perseverance. Whether supporting students in the classroom, guiding families through difficult moments, or working alongside colleagues to address systemic barriers, I have always approached my work with integrity, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
I believe students thrive when policies and practices are grounded in real classroom
experience and an understanding of community needs. I am committed to continuing this work by contributing thoughtful leadership, advocating for practical solutions, and ensuring that decisions reflect the voices and needs of those most impacted—our students and their families.
