Judy Franco

Name: Judith Ann (Judy) Franco

Age: 73

Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa

How long have you lived in the Newport-Mesa School District: 42 years

Occupation or former occupation: Former teacher and current governing board member, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 5

Education: graduate, UC Berkeley, bachelor's Degree; teaching credential – K-9

Previous elected position/appointed position: elected member of the California School Boards Assn. Delegate Assembly (governing body); elected member of Orange County School Boards Assn. Board of Directors – Unified representative; member California Youth and Government program Board of Directors; appointed governmental relations chairwoman at the state/federal level by the California School Boards Assn. for Assemblyman Chuck DeVore and Congressman John Campbell; past president, Orange County School Boards Assn.; past PTA president – Newport Elementary School; Ensign Intermediate School; Newport Harbor High School and Harbor Council; current  PTA board member at Davis Magnet Elementary School; Ensign Intermediate; Newport Harbor High School and Harbor Council.

Community organizations you belong to: PTA board member, Davis Magnet, Ensign Intermediate, Newport Harbor High and Harbor Council; Lido Isle Yacht Club, Environmental Nature Center; Newport Harbor Nautical Museum; Speak Up Newport; Costa Mesa Historical Society; Newport Harbor Republican Women

Why are you running: I am running because I care deeply about the 22,000+ students, pre-K-12, who attend our schools. Three of those students are my grandchildren. The district is facing rough waters ahead with severe budget cuts from the state; further intrusion on local governance; expanding role of the U.S. Department of Education and continued emphasis on a one-size fits all measurement.  I will continue to focus my energy on working together to narrow/close the achievement gap, promote data driven decisions, encourage professional learning communities and ensure fiscal and staff accountability. 

What is one decision in the last year that you feel the board voted correctly on and why?