On Monday, Cindy Page was provisionally appointed as Trustee for Area 1 by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board to represent the areas of Santee, Lakeside and Winter Gardens. Page was selected after two rounds of public interviews with the Governing Board.
Page taught psychology, AVID, and English during a 33-year career at Crawford High School. She also served as a Visiting Committee Member for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Governing Board began the selection process after the resignation of former Area 1 Trustee Desiree Klaar in July.
After reviewing many applications, the board conducted a series of public interviews for five candidates earlier this month.
At the end of the first round of interviews, the board held a vote to select two candidates to proceed to a second round of interviews. Page and Robin Ballarin were selected.
The second round was held on Monday, with each candidate allowed 30 minutes for their interview, consisting of an entirely new set of questions.
During Page’s interview, the board asked about some of her top priorities if she were appointed trustee.
Page mentioned the importance of exposing high school students to career paths that don’t necessarily require a typical four-year university education.
She said that during her teaching career, she met one student who wanted to become an ultrasound technician, a job that typically requires technical certification, rather than a university degree.
Page said that although a university education offers many great career avenues, students “can achieve their goals in many different ways,” highlighting the importance of technical and vocational programs offered at community colleges like Grossmont.
The board also inquired about Page’s experience with providing equity in education.
Page again referenced her experiences as an educator.
In some cases, Page’s classrooms had an abundance of students whose primary language was not English. She said she provided materials in Spanish, Cambodian, Somali and Vietnamese to serve students who needed them.
Page said that regardless of the barriers to learning, her goal as a teacher was to ensure that “everybody has access to information.”
Following the conclusion of Page’s interview, President Justeson thanked both candidates for their time before making a motion to appoint Cindy Page to the vacant trustee position.
In unanimous approval by the board, Page was appointed as Area 1 Trustee and was sworn in shortly after by Justeson.
Justeson said that Page’s experience providing equitable education and opportunity for her students was an important factor in selecting her for the board.
“Ms. Page, who is fluent in Spanish, has worked with a population of students where 35 different languages were spoken. She has led committees, such as AVID, to include diverse perspectives in advancing the goals of her school,” Justeson said in an email. “Ms. Page will bring insight to this area that will benefit both students and employees alike,” she said.
Page’s husband was one of only a few in attendance at both interviews and Page’s subsequent appointment to the board. She said she was grateful to have an encouraging partner present during the selection process.
“We taught together for most of our careers and have always supported each other. He is very excited for me,” Page said in an email.
With a career primarily spent teaching, Page said in an email that she has “so much to learn,” aiming to be “a good steward of the resources the community has allocated,” while she serves on the board.
Page will make her first appearance on the board during the next scheduled Governing Board meeting at the Griffin Gate on October 14.
According to an email sent out by Chancellor Lynn Neault, Page is set to serve at least until November 2026, when the Governing Board will hold its regular elections.
