Incumbent Jayasinghe faces challenger for Merced Union High School District Area 4

Incumbent Amalee Jayasinghe is facing one challenger for the Merced Union High School District Governing Board Member Area 4 seat during the upcoming November election. Jayasinghe, 50, a manager of a manufacturing facility, was appointed to fill a vacant seat in 2021 and ran unopposed in 2022. Her challenger, Kanwaldeep Bains, 45, a Public Health Division Manger, previously served seven years on the Livingston Union School District Board.

Q: Why are you running to be on the Merced Union High School District Board?

Jayasinghe said she believes in education and has been very involved in her three daughters’ education since they were young.

“I personally think education is transformative,” Jayasinghe said. “You can see lives change, it does so much.”

Jayasinghe said that schools were closed by closed you mean this was during the pandemic and that classes were remote? when her daughters were in high school and she was interested in what happened behind the scenes. Being pro education, she volunteered when she could and was very interested in how the school district boards operate and their process of voting.

When the school district trustee position opened up in her area, she and other candidates put their name in to potentially fill the position. Jayasinghe was ultimately chosen to fill the vacant seat.

“It’s been very educational, no pun intended.,” Jayasinghe said. “I’ve worked in manufacturing my entire life, and it’s been great to see what makes our schools work.”

With years of experience managing, overseeing and understanding large budgets, Jayasinghe said that is something she found she had in common when joining the school board as she was able to understand how the board operated when dealing with budgets and funding.

Bains said prior to running for the Merced Union High School District Board seat, she served on the Livingston Union School District board for seven years and loves to be an advocate for parents, students and teachers.

“Becoming a school board trustee for the Merced Union High School District is a way for me to serve my community and make a positive impact on students’ lives,” said Bains. “I have a strong commitment to being a voice for students, parents, and teachers, ensuring that everyone’s perspectives are valued in decision-making.”

Bains said that her experience in public health and community engagement allows her to understand the importance of addressing the diverse needs of students and to help them succeed both academically and personally.

“As a trustee, I aim to advocate for quality education, equity, and support services that will empower students and prepare them for the future,” Bains said. “I’m passionate about fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment, where students can thrive and feel supported.”

Q: What do you see as the most important issues or the biggest challenges facing the district?

Jayasinghe said she doesn’t see it as a challenge, but that it is important for the district to make sure it improves on things such as graduation rates as well as improving reading and math.

“I think that’s ongoing,” Jayasinghe said. “I don’t thing that will ever end.”

She also said that making sure the district maintains facilities, is forward thinking in how it sets the curriculum as well how it looks at technology as important things to focus on something she thinks the district has been good at.

Jayasinghe said increasing parental involvement in students’ education also is important.

“I do believe that it’s a partnership between the teachers, schools and the board,” she said. “We partner together to get the best outcome for our students but I really would like to see how better we can get parental involvement as well in student’s education.”

Bains said addressing the challenges of social media is crucial for creating a safe and supportive environment not only for the students, but for the teachers and administrators as well.

“Social media has a pervasive influence on students’ lives, and its impact can extend well beyond the classroom, affecting mental health, academic performance, and school climate,” Bains said.

Q: If elected, what policies or programs would you put in place to make sure students get the best education possible?

Continued oversight in order to make sure funding is dispersed for the benefit of the students, educators and facilities is important, as well as forward thinking curriculum and technology that is made available to the students, according to Jayasinghe.

Bains said she would advocate for supporting and strengthening school administration.

“As a school board trustee, I would advocate for policies that support and strengthen school administration to help them effectively lead and address the needs of students, teachers, and the community,” Bains said.

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 2:10 PM.