Candidate for
Board Member; Salinas Union High School District; Trustee Area 7

Fernando Elizondo is an educator with 38 years in the profession including experience as a classroom teacher and university instructor, school principal, and 14 years as a superintendent of schools. He served on the Board of Directors of both the Association of California School Administrators and the American Association of School Administrators, receiving the 2004 Outstanding Superintendent of the Year Award from ACSA Region 10. Fernando was elected to serve on the Ventura Community College Board of Trustees in 1992.

Throughout his career, Dr. Elizondo has demonstrated his leadership skills in strategic planning, addressing budget and curriculum challenges, and working with diverse school district communities.

As superintendent of schools for the Salinas Union High School District, Dr. Elizondo worked closely with school district staff and community leaders to successfully: ◾Lead district staff in an effort to raise academic standards which resulted in improved statewide test scores. ◾Raise both middle and high school promotion and graduation requirements which afforded students better access to the California Community College, State University and the University of California systems. ◾Lobby for state facilities funds which assisted in the reconstruction and modernization of Salinas High School. ◾Structure a teacher recruitment and retention program resulting in a 78% retention rate for teachers. ◾Implement school district budget strategies that not only resulted in balanced budgets, but created significant financial reserves for the future. ◾Collaborate with community leaders to pass school bonds M and F in 2002, together obtaining 89 million dollars for the restoration of old classrooms, construction of additional classrooms, a new gymnasium and revitalization of the Pit at Salinas High School, for modernization of Washington Middle School, for construction of La Paz Middle School to relieve overcrowding, and for modernization projects at every other school in the district.

In 2004, Fernando established Elizondo Educational Strategies Inc., where he continues to work with educators and the private sector throughout the State.

Upon retirement, Dr. Elizondo has continued a commitment to public service. He serves on the Monterey County Literacy Campaign Board of Directors, Natividad Medical Center Board of Trustees, Monterey County Community Action Commission, The Marina Oversight Board (formally Redevelopment Agency) and served as Foreperson on the 2011 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury. He is a member of the Salinas Downtown Rotary Club, and the Salinas Senior Center.

In his spare time, he serves as a docent at Point Lobos State Park and volunteers at the First Tee and AT&T Pro-Am golf tournaments.

Dr. Elizondo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Humboldt, a Master's degree from Baylor University and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California. Fernando and his wife Susan live off River road in Salinas. His son Gabriel and daughter in law Maria are journalists in Brazil.