El Centro Elementary school district candidates

These are the candidates running for El Centro Elementary school district - Karina Bazarte reports

EL CENTRO. Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- There's a number of school board races this election season Including the El Centro elementary school district.

The Three candidates running to fill two seats on that district are Eddie Hernandez, Katalina Penland who are running for re-election and Angie Peña running for the first time.

“Making sure that student’s' needs are addressed. That employee’s needs are addressed and also to make sure I work with families," said Angie Peña.

“To make sure that our students are successful, that our teachers are supported, that our parents are listened to," said Eddie Hernandez.

"Making sure we have our kids reading at grade level that’s very important for me, I feel like a child needs a lot of support in the first three years of school,” said Katalina Penland.

All candidates are raised in El Centro.

What inspired them?

"My son is autistic and my granddaughter is autistic, working with the San Diego regional center, making the policy that helps families with services to students with special needs," said Angie Peña.

“I retired a few years ago and so I said to myself I need to do something still with the community and still with students," said Eddie Hernandez. "My children are grown, I needed to be involved."

"I grew up in an orphanage myself, had great parents that came by and adapted me, gave me a great education and so I think about our kids, community and unprivileged kids," said Katalina Penland

Early voting is ongoing.

To find out more about the candidates click on the voter's guide banner.