Get to Know CUSD Board Candidates

Kikesa Kimbwala, Jacob Landsberg, Chrissie Meyer, Kelley Meyer, Michelle Wang, Reporters
September 27, 2013

The Claremont Unified School Board consists of five members elected for four-year terms who set policies, ensure that the district is financially stable, and ensure that all students are taught CA/Common Core Standards.The candidates for this election are Steven Llanusa, Paul Steffen, Joe Salas, David Nemer, and Nancy Treser-Osgood. Registered voters will elect three out of the five candidates running to office on Nov. 5. Four of the five candidates will be guest speakers at the Young Democrats club’s October meetings during lunch in room 707.

Joe Salas

  • Education: Graduated from Cal Poly Pomona majoring in business. Earned teaching credentials from University of La Verne, and went to Cal State Los Angeles for a masters degree in political science.
  • Claremont Resident: 35 years.
  • Goal: More comprehensive education focused on success for the 21st century.

Nancy Treser-Osgood

  • Education: Abroad at the University of Copenhagen, B.A. in English from Pomona College, M.A. in religious education from the Claremont School of Theology.
  • Claremont Resident: 25 years.
  • Goal: Believes that CHS really develops and nurtures college bound kids, and wants to help support those kids and give them options.

Steven Llanusa

  • Education: Attended UCLA and majored in psychology, and minored in English.
  • Claremont Resident: 20 years.
  • Goal: To retain highly-credentialed teachers, help keep CUSD stable financially, and create safer schools.

David Nemer

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in psychology from Claremont Graduate University.
  • Claremont Resident: 40 years.
  • Goal: To carefully spend the additional money that the school district will be receiving because of Proposition 30 and property sales, to improve communication between the school board and teachers, and the implementation of CommonCore Standards.

Paul Steffen

  • Education: Went to UCLA, studied economics, and obtained an MBA.
  • Claremont Resident: 55 years.
  • Goal: To improve communication within the city of Claremont and faculty, and to also find creative solutions to financial challenges.