Who is Dr. Cherise Moore? Why Should I Vote for Her for Hart District School Board Area 3?

I need to start this statement by sharing that I am truly grateful for my friends and colleagues who have supported Team Moore and my service on the Hart District School Board since I was appointed in 2017. They worked on my successful re-election campaign in 2018 and they have continued to stand by my side and work tirelessly for my current re-election bid. From the beginning, I have shared that this campaign isn’t about me, but about the students and protecting public education. Team Moore understands and sees that vision, and more than anything, they understand the critical need to make sure that Trustee Area 3 is represented by a servant leader committed to the students, staff and families of the Hart District. To these friends, I say thank you!

I will begin by answering the question that I continue to be asked “Why are you running for reelection?” I suppose I should no longer be surprised to hear that question. When I was first asked, I paused briefly and took time to reflect on why I was being asked that question. In retrospect, the fact is, that for the better part of three of the last four years since my election in 2018, the board has been responding to crises. I served as President of the Board in 2021, when the pandemic was at its height and the community was divided regarding many issues. Schools had been closed for 9 months when I became President and parents, staff and students were all trying to manage our new remote learning paradigm. Board meetings went from nearly no attendance and no public participation to regular burst of frustration and outrage. Comments towards the board were increasingly negative as decisions were made that made some happy and some angry. There were moments where comments from some members of the public were seen as personal and cruel attacks. Yet, despite all of what might appear to be the reason why someone would decide to NOT run again, it is these last few years that are exactly the reason why I am running for re-election. During that time, I never lost my focus - service and accountability to students, staff, and families of the Hart District. As the leader of the board, I knew my role was to listen, learn and act in the best interest of the 21,000 students and the 1,800 staff members in the Hart District. And it was under my leadership, that we safely re-opened all campuses in the Hart District.

So now, when asked this question, I respond by saying “Can you imagine what the board would be like without me on it?”

What Did We Accomplish?

Even in the midst of crisis, I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Hart District over the last 5 years. It takes energy, knowledge, and a connection to what's happening in schools today to get things done. I am pleased to say that your vote of confidence in me four years ago has resulted in our achieving many things. Throughout my term, I have demonstrated compassionate leadership and have worked collaboratively to ensure that diverse student and parent voices are heard. And, I have courageously partnered with student, parent, and community leaders to tackle difficult issues head on. With a focus on emotional well-being, ensuring school safety, educational excellence, and enhancing school facilities, we:

• OPENED STUDENT WELLNESS CENTERS on all school campuses. We hired a District wellness coordinator, established site wellness liaisons, and increased the number of both licensed therapists and licensed social workers to address social and emotional needs of our students.

• IMPLEMENTED BEST PRACTICES FOR ENHANCING CAMPUS SAFETY/SECURITY. These procedures are not restricted to the mental health arena but extend to the safety of every school site. Our latest communication techniques allow for almost instantaneous contact with all site staff, parents, and students should an event on or near campus warrant it. We have also increased the number of school resource officers from 6 to 7 to support campus safety as our number of campuses grew.

• EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY. We were designated an “Exemplary District” across California in 2019 for educational excellence in academics. We have had five of our schools named Red Ribbon Schools (2017), eight of our schools named California Distinguished Schools (2019, 2021), and have had two of our schools become recipients of the Pivotal Practice Award. Additionally, six of our high schools were ranked in the top 12 percent of public high schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report and we have had multiple faculty members named County Teachers of the Year and one achieving the highest designation of all, California Teacher of the Year!

• OPENED OR COMPLETELY RENOVATED MULTIPLE STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES. Our newest school, Castaic High School was opened in 2019 and the new Performing Arts Centers at Saugus HS and Canyon HS were also launched. We also completed modernization at three of our high schools and two of our junior high schools.

So, what about me? Who is Dr. Cherise Moore?

Iam a parent and an educator. Today, some believe that it is important to have the voice of current parents on school boards. If that is the goal and case, then it is important to share that I am the ONLY candidate who is the parent of a current school-age child. When I was elected in 2018, I was the youngest person on the board and the only person on the board who was the parent of a school age child. In fact, I have four children, two of whom attended high school in the Hart District and one who will enter the district next year. As a parent, I lived through and understand the concerns and frustrations that resulted from remote learning and the various covid protocols of the last two years. I also understand the importance of parents as partners in their child’s education.

I am an experienced educator. I am the ONLY candidate who has been a teacher and administrator in the Hart District. This perspective makes me uniquely qualified to continue to serve as your representative on the Hart Board. I currently work in education at the state and national levels for the California Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. As a result, I understand the issues currently facing our district, from ensuring safe campuses to coping with the post-pandemic impacts on student learning.

So why am I running?

I am running because Students Matter, Teachers Matter, Representation Matters and most importantly Leadership Matters! There's a time when you work hand-in-hand with people and then you shift and work on behalf of others. My running is reflective of that shift. As a Trustee, I’ve been devoted to delivering for students, parents, faculty, and our community. I’m running for re -election to continue that pursuit in support of EVERY student! My campaign is about putting students first. It’s about engaging parents as partners in their child’s education. It’s about protecting public education. And most importantly, it’s about honoring and respecting the Hart District educators by assuring that they are valued for the hard work they do daily.

My goals for the next four years include prioritizing school safety, ensuring educational excellence, focusing on student equity and inclusiveness, continuing to invest in the physical and mental health of our students, maintaining economic responsibility, engaging families and recruiting and retaining highly skilled educators who will continue to provide excellence in education for our students.

I am honored to be the ONLY candidate endorsed by the Hart District Teachers Association, and I am also endorsed by the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce, as a Gun Sense Candidate and by numerous parents, educators, and community leaders. If your vote is based on what is best for students and the future of the Hart District, I am the ONLY qualified candidate! Please VOTE for CHERISE MOORE on or before November 3, 2026. I have proven that I can deliver and I guarantee you will “Get More with MOORE.”

Paid for by Moore for the Hart Board 2026 FPPC ID #1445268

Dr. Cherise Moore Statement