YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) -  A third generation Yuba-Sutter farmer, father and lifelong Sutter County resident, John Amarel recently announced his plans to seek election to the Yuba City Unified School District Board. A past Trustee for the YCUSD Board of Education, Amarel served at the will of the voters from 2012-2016. Over the past four years he has continued supporting teachers by being a liaison with the district. Amarel helped facilitate securing an extended contract for Ag educators for the hundreds of hours they devote to FFA competitions, conferences and livestock events (county fairs) during the summer months. Additionally, he worked with teachers and the district to secure a new vehicle for the district FFA program to provide assistance to students with transporting livestock projects to fair. Amarel is seeking election to the YCUSD Board of Education to continue his advocacy efforts to support the needs of the students while providing resources and curriculum to prepare them for success.

“Distance learning has had a tremendous impact on students, teachers and parents, which makes it more important than ever to make our decisions student-centered,” said Amarel. “I have worked hard to form integral relationships in the community and have done it with trust and transparency as my guiding principles,” Amarel finished. He plans to continue to work for the best interest of YCUSD teachers and families.

Amarel believes that students should be well-rounded and exit school with tangible skills that can be applied in the workforce or carry with them as they pursue higher education. Balancing students and teacher needs while maintaining fiscal solvency and keep operations running smoothly in accordance with state guidelines is imperative. “I hold myself accountable,” said Amarel. “I stand by my decisions and root them in fact,” he continued. “I listen, I evaluate and act carefully with transparency,” Amarel finished.

A product of the YCUSD education system, Amarel graduated Yuba City High School and attended UC Davis where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. John is married to Shanann Amarel a former Educator with Yuba City Unified School District. Together they have two children, a Freshman and Senior at Yuba City High School. After receiving his degree he helped run the family farming operation that his grandfather built in 1945 from an FFA project. Along with his family, he has subsequently grown the operation from a small rice farming operation into 1500 acres of prunes, walnuts, and almonds. Amarel is a graduate of the Agricultural Leadership Fellowship Program, Class 38, is the current President of the Yuba City High School Ag Advisory Board, serves as a board member for the Butte-Yuba-Sutter Water Coalition and California Prune Board and is a past Commissioner for the Sutter County Planning Commission, past Board Member for Sunsweet Dryer and past Trustee for the YCUSD School Board.

Yuba City voters will select 2 Trustees to serve on the YCUSD Board of Education in the November General Election. Amarel requests the honor of your vote on November 3rd, XXXX.