"While my opponent is collecting endorsements from politicians and political operatives miles away from our community and our schools I’m proud to have the endorsements of parents, teachers and administrators that are here in our schools and our community. I’m proud to be fighting for our community and our kids by making sure we have a district that our current teachers want to stay in and the best new teachers want to work for."
-Misty Janssen
Dave & Chris Tennant
Long time community members and tax payers
My name is Dave Tennant. My wife Chris and I have made Yorba Linda our home since 1977. We love this town and its people. We both worked for the Placentia-Yorba Linda School district for the bulk of our careers and are now happily retired.
We have been concerned by the tone, tenor, and decisions that seem to have created confusion for some and consternation for others by the current PYLUSD school board. Key to our concerns is that political ideologies are making their way into decisions that affect all the families and students that make up PYLUSD. Competency, community engagement, educator input, transparency, clear communication, fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, among others, are the necessary components of a complete educational experience for our young people.
We are writing today to recommend to our fellow voting stakeholders to vote for Misty Janssen in Area 3.
Tina Proctor
Retired PYLUSD teacher
After teaching 7 years at Rio Vista and Woodsboro Elementary, I retired in 2017. Since then, I have been a substitute teacher in our district. In the last 4 years, I have witnessed the morale in teachers drop significantly throughout the district. I wholeheartedly endorse Misty Janssen. Misty is pro-teacher AND pro-student. She will not compromise one over the other. Let's bring back the joys of teaching AND learning in our district. Vote for Misty Janssen.
Martha Tripp
Former Teacher, Rio Vista & Brookhaven Elementary
Misty Janssen's valuable experience as a Marine and her role as a mother of five children uniquely position her to bring diverse perspectives to the school board. Her military background likely equips her with invaluable leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, while her parental insights offer a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of students and families. Misty Jansen is well-equipped to contribute positively to the school board, making her a strong and impactful candidate for the position. I highly recommend Misty Janssen for school board.
Kerry Collins
Retired Special Education teacher after 20 years at El Dorado High School, BTSA and Induction Mentor, parent and grandparent of PYLUSD graduates, current substitute teacher, and a 30-year resident of Yorba Linda.
It has appalled me to see how many truly outstanding administrators and teachers have recently been pushed out of our formerly excellent district. As a substitute teacher, I have worked with many of these former employees, who were dismissed as "not a good fit," when they were, actually, a perfect "fit." It has been heartbreaking to see our once well-respected district decline so quickly. I whole-heartedly support Misty Janssen to replace the incompetent Leandra Blades as a School Board Member. As a parent of five children, Misty understands the need of students; as a Marine, she knows how to lead with integrity and transparency. She has been a leader in PTA in PYLUSD, as well as in State and Local capacities, and has been a volunteer in classrooms.Please support and vote for Misty Janssen. She will help bring back the quality eduction that PYLUSD used to be known for.
Carole Tucker
PYLUSD Parent, Grandparent, Retired teacher,
I firmly endorse Misty Janssen for the PYLUSD School Board. Misty has has INTEGRITY, and TRUTHFULNESS which we desperately need on our school board. She understands that the loss of 25 experienced and valued administrators, principals, teachers, and coaches has been devastating to our district, and knows it will take years for the district to recuperate. Leandra Blades, the current board member, allowed it to happen, in fact, savored it. Strong and determined, Misty will work diligently to bring ethics and respect back to PYLUSD and make it, once again, the go-to destination for education.
Please take notice that Mitsy’s endorsements are from PYLUSD educators and parents, not politicians. I worked for 30 years as a teacher in PYLUSD, the last 17 years at Brookhaven. My son and daughter and all three granddaughters attended Golden, Tuffree, and El Dorado. I love PYLUSD! Please vote for Misty Janssen.
Mary Cummings
Retired teacher, Esperanza,1978-2016
I have never met anyone quite like Misty Janssen. She is insightful, inquiring, willing to see all sides of an argument, un-swayed by emotion, calm, reasonable and rational at all times, not to mention that she is so smart it’s scary. Most importantly, she wants to do this job the way it is intended to be done: with integrity, honesty, respect and concern for others. She is a Marine to the very core of her being and that is the most important thing I can write to convince you to vote for Misty Janssen for PYLUSD School Board Area 3.
Judy Rees
Retired teacher of 23 years
With Misty Janssen’s military background and experience as a mother of five, she will be able to provide the respectful leadership that our district needs. In addition, she has a proven track record as a volunteer in our community. She is the logical choice for our newest school board trustee.
Gail S. Pogue
Retired teacher of 34 years
Misty Janssen is a dedicated volunteer throughout the PYLUSD and has been in PTSA and both elementary and secondary schools. She worked with PTA members and State Legislators in Sacramento in her capacity as the PTA Advocacy Chair to enact laws to promote health and wellness for all students. She has spent all of her adult years in service to her community and to her country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. She understands about honor and having respect for others and with Misty Janssen on the school board fiscal responsibility and transparency and civility will return to our school board. I give my whole-hearted endorsement and urge others to vote for Misty Janssen for PYLUSD School Board on Nov. 5.
"As a member of the PYL community for most of my life I represent several shareholder positions. I am a former student, parent, instructional aide, teacher, assistant principal and, recently retired, principal. Simply said, I love this district and the community that built it. Throughout my tenure, PLYUSD stood as a beacon to other districts and an example of excellence and innovation. Our district was what other districts aspired to be. Sadly, in the last two years the reputation created by so many passionate, dedicated educators and school board members has been lost to politics, ego and bravado. Recently, colleagues from other school districts have reached out to ask what has happened to PYLUSD. They ask why so many strong teachers, staff members and administrators have left and aspiring educators are no longer seeking employment here. The destruction of decades of love and care for our students is hard to fathom. As a result, I am so pleased to fully endorse Misty Janssen for PYLUSD School Board. In every way, Misty represents the best of our community. I am confident she will return respect, transparency and focused leadership to our district. Most importantly, she will bring students and true educational excellence back to the forefront of conversation and decision-making. With Misty as our board trustee for Area 3, I look forward to a brighter, student-centered future for our beloved district."
Connie Roe
PYLUSD Student, Parent, Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal (Retired)
Carrie Buck
PYLUSD School Board Area Trustee
Aiden Mintzer
Former PYLUSD Student Board Member - Class of 2024
Jim Bell
Former Valencia High School Teacher, Asst. Principal, Principal
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Peggy Bowen
Parent
Former Teacher
Former PYLUSD Board Member
Dr. Doug Domene
Former PYLUSD Superintendent
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Bill Cline
Former Travis Ranch Asst. Principal, Principal
Former Valencia High School Principal
Former Director of PYLUSD Personnel
2019 Interim Superintendent of Personnel
Karin Freeman
Former PYLUSD Board Member
Mike Moore
Former Yorba Linda High School Teacher
Former Esperanza High School Teacher
Eric Padgett
Former PYLUSD Board Member
Dr. Sam Myovich
Former IB Teacher at Valencia High School,
Academic Decathlon Coach, and Extended Essay Research Supervisor for the IB program
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Matt Stine
Retired Educator, El Dorado High School & Yorba Linda High School for 27 years.
George Allen
Former Esperanza High School Principal
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"When something at the school board is broken I think it's best to go to the architects of this award-winning district for wisdom and advice."
-Misty Janssen
Esther Kim
Parent
I am a local parent with a GATE/Honors student in PYLUSD as well as one of the admins of the local Facebook group, Yorba Linda Moms. I have my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and worked for years in education. I am extremely concerned about the direction our district has been taking under the leadership of our current board majority. I believe Misty to be the absolute best candidate for our area who will help restore our schools back to the great reputation they once held. I know from experience Misty is truly willing to listen, and I can see her commitment to our schools in the work she has done for them prior to running for the board. She has shown exceptional dedication both as a public servant and as a human being. That is why I am recommending everyone vote for Misty Janssen as school board trustee for Area 3.
Dr. E. Ann Test
Former Principal and Counselor in PYLUSD
As a former counselor and principal in PYLUSD, I have grown increasingly concerned about both the behavior and the decisions of the current school board majority and current superintendent. As a result, I am endorsing Misty Janssen's candidacy for school board - she represents the best of what this district has always been, but is no longer.
Kathryn Bartle Angus
Parent
My 3 children are PYLUSD graduates. I served as a site council member, room parent, classroom volunteer, athletics volunteer, and active PTA member during the 18 years my children were in PYLUSD schools. I am also a retired educator with over 40 years of classroom experience at K-12 and college level. I know well how important it is to create a supportive and positive school environment where all children can thrive. Misty Janssen is the candidate for Area 3 who will best serve our community in creating that kind of environment. We need trustees who will put children and their education ahead of politics.
Leslie Alexander
Retired Teacher, Yorba Linda Middle School
I am proud to endorse Misty Jansen for school board. She has already distinguished herself with her service to both our country and our community. I am confident in her ability to restore respect, trust, honor and integrity to our PYLUSD board, and put us back on the pathway to the excellence that our students deserve.
Valerie Coulombe
Retired PYLUSD teacher and parent of 2 PYLUSD graduates
Educators know the way to build community is through positive interactions, diverse and inclusive collaboration and an openness to new ideas. Misty understands this. She has what is needed to bring our district together and I am proud to endorse her principled platform.
Jeffrey Suchard, MD
Parent
Julie Suchard
Parent
We are saddened by the distinct changes of direction at PYLUSD, caused by board members that don’t appear to value excellence, transparency, and honesty, nor the educational standards that have historically been our strength. We are embarrassed every time these changes are referenced as a cautionary tale in the news, both locally and nationally. These adverse changes have also been noted by the American Historical Association, Pen America, and resulted in Cal State Fullerton pulling their talented student-teachers from PYLUSD schools. We need to win back our reputation for the sake of our current students, as well as for future educators.
We have known Misty Janssen for more than 20 years. We know she has the discipline, skill, integrity, and honor that it will take to restore PYLUSD’s good reputation. We proudly endorse Misty for PYLUSD Area 3.
Marlene Hollar
Retired PYLUSD high school teacher, parent/grandparent of district students
Jim & Jill Drummond
Community Members
Debbie Silverstein
Retired PYLUSD teacher
(15 Years)
Gina Stine
Former Yorba Linda High Soccer Coach
Michelle Grimsley
Retired PYLUSD teacher
(23 Years)
Angela Eilers
Parent
As a mom of three current students at PYLUSD schools, I am beyond thrilled that Misty Janssen has chosen to take on the role of righting this ship. I met Misty 8 years ago through our kids. She impressed me immediately with how she was able to juggle all her roles as mother, wife, PTA president and a Marine! I believe in her ability to lead us into PYLUSD's next chapter. We need a leader committed to fiscal responsibility and a quality education for ALL students while restoring the dignity and respect for our community, our parents, and our teachers.
Denelle Voegtly
Parent
It is rare to have a candidate who is asked to run by parents and teachers, has ALL education based endorsements and no political affiliation. Misty Janssen is not a politician who will boost her career by serving on the school board. She is already a very well respected Marine. What she will bring is an expertise in hard decision making and an understanding of human value and a level-headedness that will benefit all in our district. Misty's style of leadership is one of example and self sacrifice. Always willing and happy to do the dirty jobs and the hard work behind the scenes (or mascot head) without expecting any of the credit.
Matt Wilkerson
Parent
One of the reasons my family moved to Yorba Linda was the stellar school district. Over the past year we've witnessed the unprecedented departures of the majority of our high school Principals along with numerous Vice Principals and dozens of teachers, coaches and administrators. The people that make this district special are leaving in droves. Why? It appears to be based on the the policies and actions of the recently hired Superintendent, Alex Cherniss. He has been given free reign to waste taxpayer money on vanity projects, intimidate and fire educators who disagree with him, and degrade the quality of our kids education with his policies. He's been empowered and shielded by trustee Leandra Blades. The only way to keep PYLUSD from further educator departures is by voting for a reasonable and bipartisan trustee like Misty Janssen. Misty is the real deal. She serves her country, her family, and our schools with integrity and excellence. She’s a hard worker who cares deeply about our kids education. I’m honored to support and endorse her for PYLUSD Area 3 board trustee.
Cynthia McCarthy Greenlee
Former Teacher, Travis Ranch
As a former teacher in PYLUSD, I am saddened by the direction of the current board. I am endorsing Misty Jannsen for school board as her values most closely match what is needed in our schools today. Her award-winning service, dedication, and commitment will help restore PYLUSD's reputation and ensure a quality education for all students within the district.
Mike Moore
Parent, Former Esperanza and Yorba Linda High School Teacher
"Misty has my 100% endorsement for school board as Leandra Blades is the single most destructive force I’ve encountered in my 50 years in education."