Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Board Member — Arcadia Unified School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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About this office
Members establish educational goals and standards, approve curricula and the district’s budget, approve various purchases and renovations, and appoint the superintendent of schools.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Academic Excellence for ALL: Each and every student deserves their best opportunity to learn and thrive in our schools. My priority is that ALL our students are engaged learners and provided the foundation and skills to reach their highest potential.
Focus on Wellness and Innovation: Focusing on the whole child, mental health, and wellness promotes student growth and long-term achievement. I support teacher innovation and creativity to sustain excellence.
Financial Guardian: I am a fiscal conservative. I take my role in financial oversight seriously in order to maximize every tax dollar and resource because AUSD is funded at a lower level than most public school districts. The retention and hiring of
Experience
Experience
Profession:Arcadia Unified School Board President
Board Member, Arcadia Unified Board of Education — Elected position (2017–2022)
Community Activities
Past President, and current Board Member, Assistance League of Arcadia (2017–2022)
Assisteens Coordinator - Leader of teen volunteer auxiliary, Assisteens of Arcadia (2019–2021)
Executive Officer, Arcadia PTSA's and Council PTA (2002–2015)
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My Top 3 Priorities
Put students first!
Advocate for parents and keep Arcadia Unified one of the top districts nationwide
Implement a district-wide focus on student mental health awareness
Experience
Experience
Profession:Arcadia Business Owner, Community Volunteer
Co-owner, Arcadia Living (2021–current)
Board of Directors, Arcadia Police Foundation — Appointed position (2021–current)
Biography
Ben Zhang is an Arcadia business owner, project manager, and community volunteer. He currently manages a senior living facility, works with local non-profits such as the Arcadia Police Foundation and American Red Cross, and has established several developments throughout San Gabriel Valley. At the early age of 15, Ben took on an active role in local political campaigns, volunteering for numerous city council and state senate candidates. In September of 2021, Ben was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Arcadia Police Foundation, where he has worked with law enforcement to improve public safety.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
Our school district has failed families and teachers alike in its response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Parents, students, and teachers are frustrated by an inefficient testing policy, confusing rules, and a lack of distance-learning options. In addition to engaging more with parents and our community, we must acknowledge and tackle the mental health crisis in our schools in order to foster a safe environment for our students.
At the urging of local parents who are frustrated with the district’s poor handling of the pandemic, lax COVID-19 rules, as well as my own focus on the mental health of students and teachers, I am running for Arcadia Unified School Board to bring a new voice and much needed change to the district.
Arcadia School District is one of the top districts in the nation and I will fight to maintain a high-quality education for our students and retain the best teachers. If elected, I will work to:
Keep an open dialogue and foster a collaborative environment with parents and our community
Implement a district-wide focus on student mental health awareness
Collaborate with local police and law enforcement personnel to make student and campus safety a top priority
Ensure Arcadia Unified stays one of the top districts in the country
Position Papers
Ben Zhang's Action Plan on Addressing Student Health
Summary
An action plan to improve student mental health and destigmatize the issue with parents and schoolchildren.
The Pandemic has left a huge impact on everyone – especially our youth. Our school district must provide a safe and supported learning environment that ensures students aren’t falling behind. One of my top priorities will be to implement an action plan to deal with student mental health and address this crucial issue. This action plan includes:
Direct training and resources for parents that incorporates an in-person or virtual seminar to help destigmatize mental health — offering resources and information at the beginning of the school year
Additional training and support for K-12 teachers and administrators to help students directly, including anonymous help lines, after-school office hours, or other referrals
Promote “Mental Health Campaigns” at schools that provide information about resources available to students. All-school assemblies can introduce on-site staff and school psychologists available anonymously to students
Incorporate teacher, administrator, or guest speaker testimony to help remove mental health taboos and other boundaries to student care. Offer school summits on mental health that directly address student issues more than just once a year
