Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Bassett Unified School District

Aaron (Simental) Rodriguez: The RIGHT Choice for OUR Sudents and OUR Community!

LIFE-LONG NATIVE: Aaron Simental has been a lifelong resident of Bassett Unified. In the late 1990s, his brother, mother, and grandparents bought the same house he resides in today in the unincorporated community of West Puente Valley, California.

Bassett USD RAISED: Aaron Simental is a proud product of Bassett Unified, attending Sunkist Elementary, Torch Middle School, and Bassett Senior High; all but a few blocks from his home. As an upperclassman in Bassett, Aaron became really involved in his community - assuming executive offices in the student government and was even appointed a student board member for the school district's Board of Education. He got involved with the "local politics" and since 2012 been proactive in the community by attending town hall forums, workshops, community events, and also never misses a school board meeting. Graduating in 2014, Aaron is arguably one of the youngest candidates in the county; however that doesn't mean he is incapable of leading well!

PROACTIVE IN COMMUNITY: In all of Bassett High's 50 years, no official alumni association was established until Aaron took the charge and is now in the procedure to incorporate a legitimate Bassett High School Alumni Association, where he currently sits on the Board of Directors as the second Vice President. He continues work with other community organizations to support the small, unincorporated, socioeconomically hurting district and returns to his Alma Mater with help. Aaron was recommended for Board appointment from the BUSD Administration to serve on the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee - a body that is charged with overseeing the expenditure of district property taxes and obligation bonds - serving as a taxpayer representative.

AN ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS: Aaron Simental currently attends Rio Hondo College in Whitter, California studying in History and Political Science, pursuing to transfer for a teaching credential. At Rio Hondo College, Aaron helped facilitate a new Pre-Law Society organization, a club affiliated with the colleges' Pathway to Law School program + one of the newest in the State of California. He was also appointed a Senator of educational Legislative Affairs by the student government president and senate at Rio Hondo College, where Aaron has, and continues to this day, reform and develop a new campus culture and give power back to students. He sits on many student organizational and college committees, including Policies and Procedure, and Curriculum and Instruction. In virtue of his positions at Rio Hondo College, Aaron is the official delegate of the college to the Student Senate of California Community Colleges - a state-wide organization recognized by the California state code of regulations, the Community Colleges' office of the Chancellor, and the Community Colleges' Board of Governors.

TRUTH: Since his first taste of leadership in elementary school, to high school, to college - Aaron has always been an advocate for students, their education, rights, and wellbeing- including the wellbeing of the good, hardworking employees of the district and is committed to student success, safe schools, ethical practices, and stakeholder collaboration.