Following a public interview with the finalists, the Stockton Unified School District Board appointed Patrick Martin to fill the position vacated by the removal of former Area 2 Trustee AngelAnn Flores.
The district’s trustees unanimously voted during a Saturday special meeting to select Martin, a 31-year-old applied behavior analyst (ABA) and community organizer, to finish Flores’ term. The board made its decision after interviewing Martin and candidate Georgia Brownlee.
A vacancy in Trustee Area 2 was created in September, when Flores was removed from the board following a conviction for felony insurance fraud.
The appointment is provisional, meaning it temporarily fills the position until the next regular election for the seat, unless district voters successfully petition for a special election within 30 days. If no valid petition is filed, the appointee serves the remainder of the term, which expires in 2026.
The district is required to post a public notice of the appointment, including details on the petition process.
SUSD Area 2 encompasses south-central Stockton, including neighborhoods from E. Charter Way south to the Stockton Metropolitan Airport and includes schools like Van Buren Elementary, Edison High School and Franklin High School. The area has faced challenges with low literacy rates and gaps in special education support.
Martin opened by sharing his lifelong residency and community work in Area 2, adding his work as an ABA therapist and para educator at Bear Creek High School. He highlighted founding the Patrick Martin Foundation, which he said helps provide educational, mental health and financial resources to students in South Stockton.
His daughter goes to Commodore Stockton Skills School.
“I believe (the board of education’s) role is to provide our students with the basic, necessary knowledge and tools to go out into the world to model that success for the district,” Martin said. “I believe being a team member of the board, we will work diligently together with the superintendent and administration to continue that success.”
Brownlee highlighted her work as a volunteer for 12 years with the district, then 23 years as a campus security monitor at Van Buren Elementary. She said she is a grandparent with grandchildren attending SUSD schools.
The board’s questions were the same for both candidates, focusing on how each candidate viewed the board’s decisions and accomplishments, and how they would handle challenging scenarios.
Trustee Donald Donaire asked how Martin how he would handle a situation where administrators had not provided accurate or complete information needed to make a board decision
“I would bring that concern to my colleagues on the board, and I would call for a meeting with our superintendent and administrators to let them know about this mishap that has happened,” Martin said. “I would try to just talk to my colleagues and dig a little deeper with the information, and also just do a deeper investigation.”
Trustee Shawna Priest asked Martin what he would like to accomplish as a board member in the district.
“Literacy is one of the biggest things that I would like to focus on a lot of our students,” Martin said. “We’re doing an amazing job with the graduation rate with the district. For me, I would love to make sure that our students graduate at grade reading level. Also training our SPED students for and giving them the right knowledge and tools to seek jobs when they graduate out of the district.”
Trustee Isabel Perez asked Martin to reflect on a board decision he felt strongly about. She also asked how he would balance community concerns, student needs, state and federal laws, staff perspectives and your own personal values to determine his vote.
“One of the biggest things that I applaud the board for voting on was ABA therapy, as we know that (special education) typically has gotten overlooked,” Martin said. “I feel the district is doing a better job, when they voted for the Stepping Stones group which does ABA therapy.”
Two additional applicants met all of the minimum qualifications – Marjorie Andrea Burrise and LaDoris Johnson. However, Johnson was absent and Burrise did not advance to the interview.
After the interviews, nominations opened, with Martin receiving support from multiple trustees. President Kenita Stevens and the board members thanked both candidates for their participation. echoed the sentiment, highlighting Brownlee’s long service.
Brownlee expressed her congratulations for Martin as he was sworn in by superintendent Michelle Rodriguez.