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For the first time since winning her seat unopposed in 2018 under the district’s previous at-large election system and again in 2022 under the trustee area election system, Jan Grist faces a challenge for the Hollister School District Trustee Area 5 seat. Her opponent is Alicia Parra, a retired Hollister School District employee.
The district covers residential communities and rural areas in the southeast region past Sunnyslope Road.
According to the Hollister School District website, trustees must live within the designated trustee area boundaries and are elected only by the voters in that area.
Jan Grist is a retired teacher who has been involved with the Hollister School District for the last 36 years. She is the current District 5 representative for the Hollister School District and has served in this position for the past eight years.
BenitoLink: Why are you running?
Grist: I am running for the HSD school board as I want to continue our progress in student achievement. The district has had steady academic growth, reduced suspension rates, increased attendance, and has made significant progress in reclassifying English Language Learners.
I am very proud of the progress we have made with our special education students. Our special-needs children are increasingly joining general education classes and spending more time with all students. Hollister School District has made steady progress in maintaining a balanced budget, as we continue to pay almost $25,000 for medical, dental, and vision care for our full-time employees. The district has been able to increase salaries for all employees for the last several years.
If elected, what will be your top priorities?
If I am reelected, I want to continue working with HSD staff and parents to sustain the academic growth and positive changes occurring in our growing District.
What are the biggest educational challenges students face and what is your plan for addressing those challenges?
Today’s elementary students face many challenges every day. Our society today is built on immediate communication. Our children are being influenced by all sorts of media from the time they get up in the morning until they go to sleep at night. This onslaught of media makes it difficult for parents to limit the amount of screen time a child is exposed to each day. I will continue to advocate for teachers and parents to use our Accelerated Reading program. The growth children will achieve by reading 20 minutes a day will take their reading skills to new heights. No matter how much technology will affect our home life and workplace, people still need to be independent thinkers. Independent and critical thinking will be the cornerstone of the new AI age we are entering. Reading will be the key skill in this new technological age that we are entering.
Alicia Parra is a retired Hollister School District employee and U.S. Army Veteran who has lived in her district for over 35 years. She was previously a human resources analyst for the Hollister School District, serving as the district’s point of contact during the COVID-19 pandemic for safety and compliance updates. Parra also served as the Classified School Employees Association president advocating for behind-the-scenes essential staff. She is a current member of the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury, helping review local government operations and programs in the county.
BenitoLink: Why are you running?
Parra: I am running for the Hollister School District Board of Trustees to support the success of all students and staff. I believe every student deserves access to exceptional educational opportunities, regardless of their background, and our district has the capability to provide that. Strategic investments in facility upgrades ensure safe campuses, as well as an equitable distribution of educational resources.
While parental involvement is vital, work schedules and life circumstances can make it difficult for some families to provide additional academic support at home. Our district must bridge this gap so no child falls behind due to factors outside of their control. To achieve this, investing in our workforce is pivotal. We must offer competitive wages and provide our educators and support staff with the tools and resources necessary to deliver exceptional instruction, allowing us to attract and retain highly qualified personnel.
Finally, fiscal responsibility is essential. Providing top-tier educational services requires a sustainable budget, and I am committed to maintaining healthy district revenues to meet our long-term goals.
If elected, what will be your top priorities?
- Ensuring students, employees, and community members are heard.
- Promoting fiscal responsibility.
- Supporting the recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff.
- Ensuring Board Policies and Administrative Regulations remain current and relevant.
What are the biggest educational challenges students face and what is your plan for addressing those challenges?
Student needs are constantly evolving, particularly as we navigate economic shifts and post-pandemic challenges. While modern technology offers new learning opportunities, it has also contributed to increased student anxiety and social challenges. To effectively reach students, we must update our approaches to support both academic and personal growth.
Academic success is deeply tied to emotional and social well-being. I favor expanding support for students and families by incorporating life skills, mental health resources and strong community connections, while also linking families to external support networks. Helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom builds well-rounded, responsible community members. Every student across our schools deserves access to the same high standards of support and care. Implementing this comprehensive support system requires long-term planning and disciplined budgeting, ensuring we honor our commitments to students, families and staff without compromising future stability.
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.
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