Several prominent Chinese leaders in Saratoga, including Jinglin Ceng (second from left), Shuling Zhu (second from right), and Xiaowen Dong (far right), have announced their support for Melisaa Stanis’s re-election campaign. They are also backing first-time SUSD School Board candidate Jingyuan Huang (third from right), who is a recent Chinese immigrant.
In an exclusive interview with our publication, Melisaa Stanis, the current chair of the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD), expressed gratitude for the support she has received. She highlighted the district’s progress in academic excellence, comprehensive student development, and the provision of diverse, enriching programs over the past four years. Stanis hopes to continue fulfilling these promises in her next term.
Stanis is a dedicated parent of two sons, aged 16 and 12, who both attend public schools in Saratoga. Her involvement with the Saratoga Union School District began in 2013 when her elder son started kindergarten. Initially volunteering at schools, she gradually became more engaged in district matters.
Elected as an SUSD board member in 2020, Stanis faced the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after taking office. The district implemented both in-person and remote learning options to cater to various student needs and successfully reopened safely post-pandemic.
Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, Stanis noted that while students quickly regained their academic footing, social skills suffered due to reduced interpersonal interactions during the lockdown. The district has prioritized addressing this issue, continuing to allocate resources to support students who experienced disruptions.
To further assist students facing challenges academically, socially, emotionally, or behaviorally, Stanis was instrumental in establishing an early support system that identifies at-risk students and provides necessary resources to close gaps and prevent them from falling behind.
Stanis emphasized that the school board’s role is to set the development direction and vision for the district, influencing not only the next few years but also the trajectory over the next decade. Once an initiative is proposed, it requires ongoing support and execution. Her re-election campaign aims to ensure the continuation of these vital efforts.
“I represent all students and families in striving for equity and inclusion,” Stanis stated. She pointed out that SUSD is becoming increasingly diverse, welcoming not only local students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds but also a growing number of international students in recent years. The district provides targeted support for English language learners and organizes various cultural events, fostering an environment of global awareness and lifelong appreciation through cultural exchange.
Stanis’s re-election campaign has been endorsed by numerous current and former elected officials of Chinese descent in Saratoga, including Jinglin Ceng, Shuling Zhu, Chen Zhang, and Xiaowen Dong, as well as supporting first-time candidate Jingyuan Huang for the SUSD School Board.
