FONTANA, CA – ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s (FUSD) Board of Education restructured ahead of the new year as it welcomed two new members, Danielle Holley and Angel Ramirez, and appointed new leadership during the Board’s annual election and organization meeting on Dec. 18.
The meeting began with a ceremonial roll call to celebrate the first Board session featuring newly elected members Holley and Ramiez, who both participated in an oath of office ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and other elected officials. The Board also elected Adam Perez to serve as its new president, while Holley was appointed to serve as vice president during the meeting.
Both Ramirez and Holley attended ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ schools, graduating from Fontana High School, and went on to work in ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ after graduating from Cal State San Bernardino. Ramirez ran unopposed to represent FUSD in Area 3 this November, while Holley won an election to serve Area 4.
“ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s Board of Education is well positioned to continue driving our mission of providing our students with academic excellence and safe and inclusive learning environments,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Danielle Holley and Angel Ramirez both have deep roots in Fontana and our District, along with a passion for education and commitment to collaboration. They bring valuable, fresh perspectives to the Board as we work together to provide exceptional opportunities and outcomes for our students.”
Among the esteemed dignitaries who attended the event were Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio; San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez and Assessor/Recorder Josie Gonzales; City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Council Members John B. Roberts and Phillip W. Cothran, and Treasurer Janet Koehler-Brooks; Water Valley Water District Board of Directors Vice President Dan Jenkins; and Covina-Valley Unified School District Board of Education Clerk Maria Caceres, along with former FUSD Board members.
Holley’s oath of office was administered by Mayor Warren as she was joined by her grandfather, who was a member of Fontana High’s first graduating class. Holley, a fourth-generation Fontana resident, serves as the Fontana Chamber of Commerce’s executive director after previously teaching at multiple FUSD elementary schools. She is also a member of the Fontana Rotary Club, Fontana Art Association, and secretary of the Fontana Historical Society.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Cal State San Bernardino and went on to earn a multiple-subject teaching credential and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
Holley said she is focused on fostering inclusivity, innovation, and community engagement through her position on ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s Board. She aims to promote collaboration between students, parents, teachers, and the District to ensure academic and personal success for every student while also building meaningful partnerships and supporting workforce development to help drive the success of both students and the larger Fontana community.
“I love Fontana with all my heart, I love ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ with all my heart, and as you can see my roots go so deep in this community,” Holley said. “Sitting up here means I am representing my community and I do not take this lightly, it means the world to me. I love our students, I love our families, and I am so excited to get to work.”
Ramirez was sworn into office by Assemblymember Rubio, who was also his third-grade teacher in FUSD, while standing beside his mother. He is currently a director of public affairs for the San Bernardino County Supervisor’s Second District, where he leads community engagement efforts after previously working as an assistant band director at Fontana High School.
Through his role on the Board of Education, Ramirez said he will look to strengthen the District’s career technical education (CTE) pathways, improve access to after school programs, and ensure all students are equipped with the resources and support needed to achieve academic and career success.
“I am just extremely honored, extremely humbled, I give all the glory to God for being here today,” Ramirez said. “I am just so happy we are on a Board where it’s not about what’s left, it’s not about what’s right, it’s about moving forward and doing what’s right for students and doing what’s right for families under the banner of education.”