SEARCHJames Aguilar, Board Member
Trustee Area 6
Term Dates: 2022-2026
James was elected to the San Leandro School Board in 2018 at eighteen years old (by two months), becoming the youngest person elected to hold office in California’s history – so far. He also became the youngest LGBTQ+ elected official in the state. He has committed his life to public service in education, especially as a high school teacher in San Lorenzo. He has also taught at the collegiate level, and in other spaces.
His journey began as a student board member for San Lorenzo USD. Energized by public education, he ran for school board on a platform of support for legislative advocacy, student rights, and climate related issues. Years later, he cemented himself in the world of public education, working in teaching, policy, communications, branding, and political consulting for candidates who support education related issues.
James has sat on a number of nonprofit boards, and in nonprofit executive roles. Notably, he served as a member of the Board of Directors at the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Before CSBA, James worked for local nonprofit San Leandro 2050 as a Senior Director, Associated Students at San Francisco State University as the Executive Vice President and formerly Director of Government and Community Relations, as a Director with the San Francisco State Foundation, and more.
James holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from San Francisco State University, and a Master of Education from National University. He plans on beginning an education doctoral program dedicated to curriculum and instruction sometime in the near future.
If you’d like to hear more or chat with James, stay in touch on all socials @iamjamesaguilar, and reach out at jaguilar@slusd.us.
