He is endorsed by Assemblymember Dawn Addis and others

ATASCADERO — Matt Pennon has announced his candidacy for the Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees. With a commitment to the community and a vision for educational excellence, Pennon aims to bring positive change and innovative solutions to the district.

Pennon’s campaign has garnered support, including an endorsement from 30th District Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Equality California, IBEW Local 639, and the San Luis Obispo Democratic Party.

“I am proud to endorse incumbent Matt Pennon for the Atascadero Unified School District school board,” said Addis, who is a former special education teacher and currently sits on the Assembly Education Committee. “Matt has consistently demonstrated his dedication to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality educational environment for all students. His proven leadership, commitment to community, and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our schools make him the ideal candidate to advocate for our students, educators, and families. I am confident that Matt will work tirelessly to ensure that every student in Atascadero has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, has endorsed Pennon for his commitment to inclusivity and equity in education. IBEW Local 639, representing electrical workers in the region, and the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party have also thrown their support behind Pennon, recognizing his dedication to creating a strong, supportive, and effective educational environment.

Pennon is a dedicated resident of Atascadero and a parent of three children who are currently attending school in the AUSD district. He has been actively involved in the district at the school-site level as a PTSA president and at the district level as an AUSD trustee. Additionally, Pennon has been instrumental in supporting CAPS (Committee for Atascadero Public Schools), a nonprofit organization that funds grants to AUSD teachers to enrich the educational lives of our public-school students.

Pennon brings experience in community engagement and leadership and a deep understanding of the complex needs of students, teachers, and families. During his time as an AUSD trustee, Pennon made frequent and regular school site visits across the district to meet with and listen to students, teachers, and administrators, and met with families to hear their stories. Giving him a clear understanding on what our district needs to grow and evolve into a beacon of educational excellence.

“Educating Atascadero’s youth is not just my campaign; it’s my commitment as a parent, neighbor, and advocate for our future,” said Pennon. “I believe in fostering a culture of academic excellence, empowering student voices, engaging families, supporting our educators, and ensuring responsible financial stewardship. Together, we can create an inclusive, empowering environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

Pennon’s campaign priorities are:

  1. Academic excellence: Raising the bar for academic achievement by supporting programs that challenge and inspire students, catering to their individual strengths and interests.
  2. Student voice: Empowering students by listening to their perspectives and making sure their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
  3. Family engagement: Fostering strong partnerships between schools and families to support the holistic development of students.
  4. Teacher collaboration: Nurturing a culture of collaboration among educators to elevate the quality of education for all students.
  5. Financial stewardship: Ensuring that every dollar is spent effectively, maximizing resources to enhance the quality of education while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Pennon’s campaign is built on the principles of integrity, transparency, and community involvement. He invites all members of the Atascadero community to join him in this journey to create a brighter future for AUSD schools.

For more information about Matt Pennon’s campaign, to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit MattPennon.com.

Feature Image: Atascadero Unified School District trustee Matt Pennon is shown on the Atascadero High campus. Pennon, who wasappointed to the AUSD board in 2022, has announced his candidacy for a full term on the Board of Trustees. Contributed Photo

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