The Chula Vista Elementary School District Board of Education on Tuesday appointed Karen Ramirez Dominguez to Seat 5 and Jessica Tolston to Seat 1 following a special meeting that included public testimony, candidate interviews and extended debate among trustees.

The appointments followed a contentious selection process in which trustees considered written applications, public remarks for and against nominees, and on‑the‑record interviews. The board also announced two personnel actions taken in closed session earlier in the day: the appointment of Maria Montgomery as executive director of curriculum and instruction services and support, and the promotion of Paula Madrigal Patel to senior director of student services.

Why it matters: The appointments fill vacancies on the seven‑member board and avoid a districtwide special election, an option trustees said would cost the district millions of dollars. Several trustees framed the choice as a fiscal as well as governance decision because the district is facing multi‑million dollar budget shortfalls that trustees repeatedly raised during candidate questioning and debate.

Public comment and union position
Members of the public spoke at length in support of particular applicants, including multiple friends, family members and community volunteers who urged trustees to appoint Karen Ramirez Dominguez. Ana Cabral introduced Noelle Cravens and described Cravens’ leadership roles at Jeffers Elementary PTA and the Community Advisory Committee. Several speakers from local churches and community programs described Karen Ramirez Dominguez’s volunteer work with children and families.

Rosie Martinez, speaking for Chula Vista Educators (CVE), urged trustees to appoint candidates who “value strong relationships” with teachers and warned against candidates who the union said had promoted public rhetoric that undermined collaboration. Martinez said CVE favors appointees who will “work collaboratively to address and meet the needs of our students” rather than those who “discredit or undermine the work of our educators.”

Candidate interviews and board questioning
Trustees interviewed seven finalists who had been screened by a subcommittee. Each candidate gave a three‑minute opening statement and answered standardized questions on social‑emotional supports and teacher flexibility with curriculum. Candidates emphasized parent engagement, social‑emotional services and support for teachers; several cited experience with school volunteer programs, nonprofit work or district administration.

During questioning, several candidates referenced district fiscal pressures. Armando Farias told trustees he understood there was “a deficit of about $50,000,000 when it comes to the 24‑25 school year” and said fiscal stability would be a near‑term priority if appointed. Board members and the superintendent also referred to the high cost of holding a special election — trustees estimated roughly $2.5–3 million in staff comments during debate — as part of their consideration of whether to appoint or send the choice to voters.

Motions, debate and final outcome
Trustees made several motions to appoint individual candidates; multiple motions failed for lack of a second or failed on voice vote as trustees exchanged reasons for support or opposition. A recurring point of contention among trustees was whether an applicant had prior electoral campaigns or other political activity; one trustee said she would not support candidates who had previously run in political races, citing constituent feedback.

After repeated unsuccessful motions, trustees moved to combine the two open seats into a single slate. Trustee Tamayo moved, and Trustee Dominguez Cervantes seconded, a motion to appoint Karen Ramirez Dominguez to Seat 5 and Jessica Tolston to Seat 1. President Ugarte called the voice vote: “All those in favor?” The board answered, “Aye,” and Ugarte said, “Motion carries.” The board then directed Superintendent Dr. Reyes to administer the oath of office to the newly appointed trustees.

Closed session personnel actions
The board also announced two approvals made in closed session earlier in the meeting under California Government Code provisions cited by staff. In open session Clerk Dominguez Cervantes reported the outcomes:
- On a motion by Dominguez Cervantes, seconded by Trustee Tamayo, the board approved the employment of Maria Montgomery as executive director of curriculum and instruction services and support. The clerk reported the vote as "Aye: 3; No: 0; Abstain: 0."
- On a motion by Trustee Tamayo, seconded by Dominguez Cervantes, the board approved the promotion of Paula Madrigal Patel to senior director of student services. The clerk reported the vote as "Aye: 3; No: 0; Abstain: 0."

What’s next
With two provisional trustees sworn in, the board returns to a full complement of members and will continue work on the district’s budget, student supports and curriculum matters. Trustees said they expect to proceed with the district’s regular meeting schedule and that board members will focus on implementation priorities discussed during interviews — especially social‑emotional services and fiscal stability.

Ending note: Several trustees apologized to candidates who were not appointed and encouraged them to remain involved in district work; CVE reiterated its request that future board decisions reflect consistent, collaborative relationships with classroom educators.