Candidate for Rio School District Board of Trustees · Area 3
Born and raised in El Rio

Rio schools raised me.

Now I’m ready to serve them. I’m running to put students and families at the center of every decision—with accountability, opportunity and a voice rooted in our community.

Meet DanielSee my priorities →Follow on Instagram
Daniel Garcia
“Our schools should open doors for every child and listen closely to every family.”
Meet Daniel

A product of the community he wants to serve.

Daniel Garcia is a Mexican American son of immigrants, born and raised in El Rio and Oxnard. He attended El Rio Elementary, Rio del Valle and Rio Mesa High School—the same community whose students and families he now hopes to represent.

From helping patients navigate healthcare to coordinating disaster recovery and supporting families through 211, Daniel’s career has centered on making complicated systems work better for real people. As a longshoreman at the Port of Hueneme, he also understands the dignity of hard work and the lives of working families.

Daniel served as secretary of Ventura County VOAD and supported local recovery efforts following the Thomas and Woolsey fires. He is running to bring that same readiness, collaboration and accountability to the Rio School Board.

What guides me

Four commitments to Rio families.

School-board decisions should be clear, responsible and connected to what students, educators and families experience every day.

01

Students first

Keep academic growth, student well-being and safe learning environments at the center of board decisions.

02

Families heard

Make district communication more welcoming, understandable and responsive to the families it serves.

03

Accountability

Ask clear questions, follow the facts and ensure public resources directly support student success.

04

Opportunity

Expand pathways that help every student discover strengths, prepare for high school and imagine a bigger future.

Putting these commitments into action

My Priorities for Rio Schools

My priorities are connected: keeping our district financially strong, supporting the people who serve our students, and making sure every child and family has the support and opportunities they need. As a trustee, I will work with fellow board members, district leadership, educators and families to move these priorities forward.

Financial Stability & Supporting Staff

I want to keep the Rio School District out of a deficit through responsible, long-term budgeting that protects student programs and helps preserve local control of our schools.

  • Protect existing programs and look for sustainable ways to add opportunities for students.
  • Support competitive compensation and sustainable raises through the negotiation process, so we can retain the teachers and staff our students depend on.
  • Make financial decisions with a clear understanding of their long-term impact on students, employees and the district.

Improve Student Attendance

I want students to feel connected to school and excited to be there. Improving attendance means celebrating progress and understanding what keeps students from getting to class.

  • Encourage weekly and monthly attendance incentives and classroom recognition.
  • Support end-of-year prizes for classrooms with strong attendance and meaningful improvement.
  • Work with families to address transportation, health, housing, bullying and other barriers to attendance.

Strengthen Family Engagement

When we engage the whole family, we strengthen the support around each student. Parents, guardians and other caregivers should feel welcomed, informed and included in their child’s education.

  • Support family workshops, school events and volunteer opportunities that help families participate.
  • Make communication accessible in the languages our families use and create more opportunities for two-way conversations.
  • Listen to families and encourage meaningful participation from the caregivers who support our students every day.

Identify Students Who Need Support Earlier

I want us to identify students who need help before they fall further behind. Early support should consider the whole child and the challenges their family may be facing.

  • Support early identification of academic, social, emotional and special education needs.
  • Strengthen communication among families, teachers and support staff so concerns can be addressed sooner.
  • Connect students and families with district services and community resources that respond to their needs.

Support Special Education & Student Opportunity

Every student deserves the support to learn and opportunities to discover their strengths. I will advocate for strong special education services and a well-rounded education across our district.

  • Strengthen special education support and help families understand the services and resources available to them.
  • Protect and seek opportunities to expand arts, music, technology and enrichment programs.
  • Support after-school programs and hands-on learning that help students explore their interests and build confidence.

Support Teachers & School Staff

Our schools depend on the people who show up for students every day. Teachers, aides, classified employees, specialists, nutrition staff, custodians, bus drivers, office staff and every other team member deserve to feel heard and supported.

  • Listen to staff about what is working and where they need more support.
  • Advocate for the resources, training and working conditions employees need to do their jobs well.
  • Keep staff support and retention connected to our financial planning and student priorities.

Safe and Welcoming Schools

Students learn best when they feel safe, respected and connected to their school. Families and employees should have confidence that safety and well-being are part of our everyday work.

  • Support safe campuses, bullying prevention and emergency preparedness.
  • Keep student well-being at the center of decisions about school climate and support.
  • Encourage respectful, welcoming environments where students and families feel comfortable asking for help.

Transparency & Accountability

Families deserve to understand how decisions are made and how public resources are used. I believe trust grows when the district communicates clearly and the board stays connected to its community.

  • Make information about budgets, programs, facilities and major board actions easier to understand.
  • Ask clear questions, follow the facts and listen to students, families and employees.
  • Serve with accountability and keep student needs at the center of board decisions.

Strong finances protect programs. Supported staff strengthen schools. Engaged families help students succeed. Early intervention keeps children from falling behind. And transparency builds trust.

Students. Families. Staff. Accountability. Opportunity.

Experience

Service across systems and communities.

Longshoreman · Port of Hueneme

Six-plus years serving in a vital part of Ventura County’s working economy.

Consultant · LinkedIn

Supported learning content development and technical troubleshooting.

211 Disaster Coordinator · Interface

Connected communities with essential information and disaster-recovery resources.

Patient Advocate · West Ventura Medical Clinic

Helped patients and families navigate care, concerns and complex systems.

Daniel's ballot guide

How I plan to vote—and why.

These measures can shape school funding, facilities, family stability, community services and public participation.

My personal recommendations: These are my positions as a candidate and community member—not positions of the Rio School District. I encourage every voter to read the official supporting and opposing arguments before deciding.
Rio Measure BYES

Supports $78 million in school-facility bonds. I support safer, more equitable learning spaces together with independent oversight, competitive bidding and clear public reporting.

Official information →
Proposition 1YES

Housing stability supports attendance and keeps students connected to their schools. I support the housing bonds while expecting clear reporting on costs, distribution and families served.

Official information →
Proposition 2YES

A stronger state rainy-day reserve can help protect essential public services, including education, during economic downturns.

Official information →
Proposition 3YES

Extends an existing tax on high incomes to provide permanent funding for schools and health care—two foundations of student success.

Official information →
Proposition 39NO

Adds government-identification requirements for voting. I am concerned about creating new barriers for eligible voters and families participating in our democracy.

Official information →
Proposition 43NO

Would limit voters' ability to raise revenue for local services. I oppose restrictions that could make it harder for communities to fund their own priorities.

Official information →
Proposition 44NO

The proposed 90% clinic-spending formula may be too rigid and could disrupt technology, compliance, facilities, administration and patient services.

Official information →
Proposition 45NO

Shortened environmental-review and court timelines could weaken meaningful community review for projects that affect schools and neighborhoods.

Official information →
Oxnard Measure EYES

Continues the existing half-cent sales tax, estimated to provide about $20 million annually for city services with audits and public reporting. It does not directly fund Rio schools.

Official information →

Sources: California Secretary of State, Ventura County Elections and City of Oxnard. Ballot language and fiscal details should always be confirmed in your official voter guide.

Make your voice count

Know your trustee area before you vote.

Only voters who live in Trustee Area 3 can vote in this race. Friends and family outside the area can still help by sharing this campaign with Area 3 voters.

Check your area

Use the official Rio School District trustee-area map to confirm where you live.

View the official district map

For registration and election information, use the official Ventura County Elections website. Verify all dates and eligibility directly with election officials.

Ventura County Elections →