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In November 2020, Allyson Damikolas made history as the first Latina to ever be elected to the Tustin Unified School Board and the first new school board member in over a decade by defeating a twenty-four-year incumbent. She now represents Trustee Area 1 on the Board of Education. 

 

Assuming her position on the school board amid a pandemic helped shape Allyson’s priorities. Not only has she focused on improving student performance and graduation rates, while strengthening sports, music, and technical education programs, she was a leading proponent for increased nursing staff and expanded access to food, dental services, and mental health support.

 

Allyson credits her kids as her primary motivation for running for the school board. A mother of three, including children with special needs, Allyson deferred her career as an environmental engineer to devote herself full time as a mother, advocate, and community volunteer. Her two daughters currently attend TUSD schools and her son, a recent TUSD graduate is a freshman at Purdue University.

 

Allyson ran for the school board with one goal in mind — to ensure that every TUSD student has the best opportunity to reach their highest potential. Growing up in a Latino family in West Covina, Allyson credits certain teachers and administrators with helping her discover and develop her aptitude for math and science, which inspired her to go to college where she earned a degree in chemical engineering.

 

Prior to her election, Allyson was already active in leadership and civic affairs, having served as PTO President at Columbus Tustin Middle School and Beckman High School, on the Special Ed Community Advisory Board, and on the board of the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts. Through all her endeavors, she has earned credibility her creative, strategic, and forward-thinking approach to getting things done, qualities that serve her well as a member of the TUSD school board.