DOWNEY — Longtime Downey resident and education advocate Carlos Avalos has decided to run for the Downey School Board Trustee Area 3. 

Avalos ran back in 2018 when the seat was left vacant and came up short by 39 votes. 

He is a product of Downey Unified, having attended Downey schools from kindergarten through the twelve grade. 

He has volunteered to numerous organizations including the Downey Food Help which provides meals to families. He has also coached in AYSO for his daughter’s soccer team. 

“It was a very rewarding experience,” he said. His daughter, who started kindergarten this past year, will be moving on to first grade at Rio San Gabriel. He has maintained active participation in several school activities with his daughter. 

Avalos said he has decided to run again because he feels “that our students and staff deserve more.” 

“They deserve 21st century education in clean and safe schools,” he said. “Being a product of Downey Unified, I understand the value of public education and the impact it has on all of us. 

“I also want to represent every single student and parent in the district. I believe that being able to speak both languages, English and Spanish, I can communicate with all of our families. We must be able to respond to their needs and support the success of every single student. 

“I know that our high school graduation rate is high but less than 50 percent of those graduating are college and career ready and I’m ready to change that. I would like to see that number much higher. 

:I know we will face challenging times with the current pandemic which has crushed our economy and has created a new way of learning for many of our students. We need to make sure we are providing adequate support to all students and families. 

“I want to make sure our schools are being maintained in good repair and that we provide parent involvement opportunities to ensure the success of their children. Being a parent of two young children, I know how valuable quality education is.” 

Avalos earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of LaVerne.  He is currently employed as the Director of Maintenance, Operations, Transportation and Facilities for a local school district. 

He has been employed in the public school district system for over 13 years. He has experience managing multi-million dollar budgets and large bond projects. He has been involved in numerous school committees including School Safety Committee, Public Relations Committee, Stakeholder Facilities Committee, sat on the management negotiations team and facilitated the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. 

Avalos has also served as president for the Classified School Employees Association, Chapter 596, representing over 300 employees.

“I’m running for school board because I believe Downey students deserve the best public schools to prepare them for the brightest future possible,” he said. “As a product of Downey USD, I have a strong history in Downey. As a homeowner, I am fully invested in our neighborhood. As a school administrator, I have the professional knowledge and experience to lead. As a father of two exceptional daughters in Downey USD, I will fight for every student’s safety and success. 

“I also want to improve our school facilities utilizing our current bond and also looking at other alternatives to supplement our bond, like state grants and energy saving methods. Our students deserve to have state of the art classrooms and facilities. I’ve been involved in developing master facility plans, working with administration and architects to deliver the best schools for students to succeed. 

“I was raised here in Downey and I’m a proud graduate of Downey public schools. This is my opportunity to give back to the very schools that made me a success. I want to inspire our next generation of leaders and see our students achieve greatness.”

Avalos is married and they have two children, ages 4 and 6. He is endorsed by past mayor Sean Ashton.

Avalos can be reached at (562) 577-7328 or via email at carlosavalos4DUSD@gmail.com