This year’s historic presidential election is just one day away, and Fresno residents get to partake in deciding not only the next president, but also the newest cohort of representatives for Fresno Unified School District’s (FUSD) Board of Education.

Fresno State students and staff play a role in this election in two ways, by either voting or running for office.

Joseph Aquino is a 19-year-old Fresno State student and the youngest candidate on the ballot this year, running for the district’s board of trustees for the Area 2, Roosevelt High School region position.

Aquino graduated from Roosevelt in 2023.

“I decided to run because students in the Roosevelt area need someone who understands their challenges firsthand,” Aquino said. “Area 2 has been struggling with the lowest academic performance in the district for years, and I want to change that.”

The FUSD Board of Education oversees the district’s employees and students, with trustees representing seven areas, each covering one of the main high schools and surrounding feeder schools.

FUSD is home to 106 schools and approximately 73,000 students, making it the fourth-largest school district in California.

Aquino is pursuing a degree in political science, with a projected graduation of Spring 2027.

He attended FUSD schools for his entire K-12 education, and in 2022 he held the position of a student trustee on the board of education.

“Serving as a student trustee taught me how to amplify student voices and navigate the complexities of education policy,” Aquino said. “I saw firsthand the importance of mental health initiatives, fair access to resources, and collaboration between students, educators, and community leaders. This role showed me what young people can achieve when they step up and advocate for their needs and the needs of others.”

Aquino said he is the ideal candidate for the role because he represents the younger population well.

“My experience as a former student trustee has given me the tools to advocate effectively and address these issues head-on,” he said. “We also need to close the generational gap on the board by bringing a young voice that can truly represent students. Representation matters.”

When asked how he would balance school and being a trustee if elected, he said he works well under time constraints.
“Balancing both responsibilities will take strong time management and prioritization, but I’ve already developed these skills through my coursework, campaign, and personal commitments,” Aquino said. “I thrive under pressure, and I’m confident that I can effectively serve my community while continuing my education at Fresno State.”

During his free time, he enjoys self-care which he achieves by remaining busy.

“Outside of academics, I prioritize my physical and mental health by staying active through regular workouts,” Aquino said.

Aquino may be young, but he is using his age as his weapon because he says it is critical that FUSD adequately represents the current generation.

“It feels exciting and empowering to be the youngest candidate,” Aquino said. “While some may see my age as a drawback, I see it as a strength. My youth gives me fresh energy, new perspectives, and a close connection to the student experience—something that’s essential in addressing the challenges students face today.”

Students aren’t the only ones getting involved in FUSD; staff members are, too.

James Martinez, Associated Students, Inc.’s (ASI) director, is running for trustee for Area 5, the Fresno High School region.

“Working closely with students, I’ve gained insight into what truly matters to them, and witnessing their academic, professional, and personal growth warms my heart,” Martinez said. “Sometimes I feel like I have twenty-two extended children, but I enjoy helping each and every one of them in whatever way I can. While they definitely keep me on my toes, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that my role positively impacts their lives, even if it’s just one student.”

Martinez is a Fresno High 2004 alum, born and raised in Fresno.

After high school, he attended Fresno City College and Fresno State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2010.

“My career includes working as a legislative staffer for officials like Senators Boxer and Harris before I pursued an MA in communication management from USC’s Annenberg School,” Martinez said.

His campaign is focused on “getting back to the basics in education” and closing student achievement gaps in FUSD.

“For too long, we’ve accepted the status quo of underachievement, where some student groups are underperforming their local and statewide peers by up to 70-80 percent,” Martinez said. “That can no longer be acceptable. I want to implement targeted strategies to bring our district back to a place of high expectations and accountability.”

Some ideas he has to do so include investing in resources for mental wellness, career pathways and early education.

Martinez has a daughter who attends FUSD schools. He said she was the deciding factor on whether or not he should join the race.

“I’m running because our district needs strong, focused leadership to address the core issues affecting our students’ success,” Martinez said. “Growing up in a low-income household, I understand the barriers many of our students face, and I want to work toward an equitable education system that gives all students the opportunity to be successful in core subject areas.”

Regardless of the outcome of the election, Martinez said he will remain ASI director.

“I’ve held this position with ASI since 2020, and it has been a really fulfilling and rewarding professional experience for me,” Martinez said. “I see a lot of myself in my students and try to advise them the best way I can so they can ultimately be successful in whatever they pursue.”

Fresno Unified and Fresno State are closely connected, and many FUSD staff members also hold a position at Fresno State.

Andy Levine, the current incumbent of the Area 5 trustee position, is rerunning for office. He is also a part-time faculty lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Fresno State.

One of his core campaign beliefs is that teachers be provided with more assistance in the classroom.

“Our teachers are being asked to do way more in terms of teaching in the classroom,” Levine said during a candidate forum on Oct. 15. “A step, an example of that, a step towards that is schools providing wraparound support so the students and the teachers can focus more and more on teaching in the classroom instead.”

Martinez shares similar sentiments.

“The most important thing to me regarding Fresno Unified is closing student achievement gaps and ensuring that our teachers have the support they need to effectively educate every student,” Martinez said. “To truly address these disparities, we need to reimagine our approach to education, bringing innovative solutions directly to students.”

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and voting is available in person or by mail. The poll closest to Fresno State is at the Save Mart Center.

Voting polls are open on Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Same-day voter registration is also available at the polls on Election Day.