The Nov. 6 election brought fresh faces to the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District Board of Trustees, and this month the district connected with the public about its vision.

The board met with members of the community Jan. 10 to discuss going forward with the 2019 school year. It was also an opportunity to meet new board members Casey Powers and Anissa Dizon.

“I am hoping to bring an outside perspective, mental health especially,” Powers said. “That is my profession. It is desperately needed.”

Dizon also shared her background: “I hope to bring the perspective as an educator. I have experience as a parent, as a former teacher in the district, an admin in the district.”

The board discussed its mission statement and moving its vision forward with input from parents and community members present at the meeting. The current mission statement is “to inspire and guide every student to extraordinary achievement every day.”

“We are not saying normal is okay,” trustee Drew McAlister said, referring to the changing world students are living in. He said the district must look at what is best for each student.

During the meeting, board members met with the public in groups of five to seven.

In the group led by trustee Monica Martinez-Guaracha, San Juan Bautista resident Sandra Ruiz said the vision should be “to grow the district.” They also discussed the budget, spending and how best to serve the students.

A follow-up retreat was held Jan. 12 for the board to discuss the concerns, ideas and other comments from the community.

The next regular board meeting for the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District is Jan. 23 at  6:30 p.m. at the Anzar High School library.