Jurupa Unified board provisionally appoints Francisco Cueto to Trustee Area 3

The Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education on March 17 voted 3–1 to provisionally appoint Francisco Cueto to the vacant Trustee Area 3 seat and administered the oath of office.

Cueto, one of eight applicants interviewed in public earlier in the meeting, said during his introductory remarks that his priority is students and supporting teachers. “Im here for the students,” he said, urging the board to focus on practical supports and pathways to higher education.

Trustees nominated three finalists to advance to the selection round. Trustee Raquel Ortiz Cornejo nominated Cueto and praised his ability to translate financial and data information for the public, calling that skill “critical” for the board. Trustee Jenny Felix said Cueto would bring a fresh perspective and noted the importance of leaders who reflect the community.

A motion to provisionally appoint Cueto was moved, seconded and carried by roll-call vote, with the board recording three ayes and one no. After the vote Dr. Trent Hansen administered the oath of office and invited Cueto to sit on the dais as the board concluded the meeting.

The board chair noted that the provisional appointment fills the seat for an eight-month term and that appointees will receive follow-up training and onboarding from the district. The board also reminded the public its next regularly scheduled meeting is April 7.

The appointment concluded more than two hours of public interviews and community testimony in which applicants described priorities including student mental-health supports, college and career preparation, family engagement and the districts Career and Technical Education programs.

Cueto did not identify any specific policy changes he would pursue during the provisional term; he said he would focus on helping families and students navigate existing resources and on supporting teachers with the materials and information they need.