Valerie Magdaleno - Member
Trustee Area 2
Current Term: 2024-2028
Phone: 657-761-0809
Email: Valerie.Magdaleno@sausd.us
Born and raised in Santa Ana, Valerie Magdaleno was elected in 2024 to serve the families of Area 2. She is a proud product of the Santa Ana Unified School District, having attended Lowell Elementary, Mendez Fundamental Intermediate, and Santa Ana High School. She is also an alumna of the Nicholas Academic Center.
After graduating from high school, Ms. Magdaleno began her higher education journey as a first-generation student at Santa Ana College, where she explored her interests before transferring to California State University, Fullerton. There, she became the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree and later earned her Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach—joining the 8% of Latinas nationwide who have achieved a master’s degree. Today, she uses her platform to remind students that community college is a strong and meaningful pathway to success, emphasizing that with commitment and passion, any goal is within reach.
Ms. Magdaleno was raised in Santa Ana alongside her three sisters by parents who immigrated from Michoacán, Mexico. Deeply rooted in her community, she has dedicated her time to volunteering and reactivating her neighborhood association. As Co-President of the Pico-Lowell Neighborhood Association, she has been a strong advocate for safety improvements, expanded park spaces, and greater access to resources for families and students. Through her leadership, she has helped connect residents to essential services, organized educational workshops on tenant rights and rent control, and promoted environmental health initiatives to improve the quality of life in her neighborhood.
Having been a student in SAUSD less than a decade ago, Ms. Magdaleno brings a unique and valuable perspective to the board. She understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing students today and is deeply committed to ensuring that every school is a safe, inclusive, and empowering for all learners. As a School Board Member, she is dedicated to expanding community schools, ensuring financial accountability and transparency, strengthening school safety, and uplifting student voices in decision-making. Guided by the belief that when our schools thrive, our community succeeds, Ms. Magdaleno continues to advocate for policies that put students and families at the heart of every decision