Amid budget cuts and looming gas station builds, four candidates are vying for three seats on the Templeton Unified School District board to ensure students have access to the best education possible.
“When our schools thrive, our community will thrive, and it’s the responsibility of all of us to keep lifting our schools up and lifting up public education,” candidate Matt Alison said.
Incumbents Ted Dubost and Cheryl Parks are running for reelection. Dubost started serving on the board in 2016, and Parks was appointed in March 2024 to replace previous board member Mendi Swan, who resigned earlier that month. Challengers Jason Tesarz and Alison were also considered for that appointment against Parks last March. Alison ran for election in 2022 unsuccessfully.
The Templeton Unified School District (TUSD) board consists of five members, including Janel Armet and Jennifer Grinager, who are serving their four-year terms until 2026. Board member Nelson Yamagata, whose term also ends this November, is not running for reelection.
A Templeton resident since 1997, Parks said her 25 years of experience working for the district have prepared her for the school board, and she wants more time to make a difference after serving only seven months.
“I am pretty proud of our school system here,” she said.
Providing resources for students to succeed in technical and professional careers, responsible district budgeting, and addressing the impact of potential gas stations near schools are issues she said matter to her.
Parks said she sees Measure D—which asks school district voters to approve a $52.3 million school bond to renovate district classrooms and update its science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) facilities—as a vote of the voice of the people.
“[This measure] allows the people to decide if they want to support spending more money on schools—it shouldn’t be the trustees to decide what to do, and [the] public needs to weigh in,” she said, “But we need to look at addressing [classrooms]; hopefully people will see that and support one way or the other.”
Another issue is the potential gas station proposed to be built near Templeton High School, a project that the district has openly disapproved of. According to a letter the district submitted to the SLO County Planning Commission, it argued that the gas station would increase traffic and provide students with easier access to substances like alcohol and tobacco, something Parks is especially concerned about.
“We need to protect our students, and can find a more appropriate use of property,” she said.
Alison said he has lived in Templeton for 17 years and has attended nearly every school board meeting within the past four.
“I’m committed to advocate for our students in our schools and our families, and advocate for public education. I think public education is the most important thing that we can support, lift up, build up, and ultimately, it’ll help our community,” he said.
Like Parks, Alison said he finds the potential gas station to be problematic.
“While I am not opposed to a new gas station coming into Templeton, I just don’t think that location is really the best place for it,” he said. “I think just the proximity to the schools … I’m not, not in favor of it as it’s presented right now.”
Alison said he strongly supports Measure D, especially as school districts throughout the state face reduced funding after COVID-19.
“I know it’s a big ask for our local citizens, but there’s a lot of need in our schools right now, just because of the age of some of the buildings and some of the facilities … it really will make a big difference for our schools, which really can make a big difference for our entire community.”
Tesarz and incumbent Dubost did not reply to New Times’ requests for comment before publication.
Current board member Yamagata, who is not running for reelection, said he felt it was time to move on after serving on the board for three terms. He also said he feels hopeful about the future board’s success.
“I’m leaving behind four other board members who I think are very smart, very competent, and really thorough in their work,” he said. “And I think we’re going to be in good hands either way—whatever three get elected.” Δ
This article appears in Pet Issue 2024.
