by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

The Courier’s profiles of candidates for Claremont City Council Districts 1 and 5 and Claremont Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Areas 2 and 5 will begin Friday, September 20.

The profiles will include incumbent and current Claremont Mayor Pro Tem Corey Calaycay and his district 1 challenger, Rachel Forester; City Council District 5 incumbent and current Claremont Mayor Sal Medina and challenger Kingoro Onami; and CUSD Trustee Area 5 candidates Cheryl Fiello and Mark Reynoso, who are both vying to take over for incumbent board President Bob Fass, who is not seeking reelection.

Incumbent CUSD Board Trustee Area 2 member Kathy Archer declined to be interviewed by the Courier. “Thank you for your interest in speaking with me regarding the CUSD District 2 board of trustees seat,” Archer wrote in an email. “Since I am running unopposed and no election will be held for this seat, my attention remains on supporting the students, staff, and families of the district as we continue to focus our efforts on The CUSD Commitment. I appreciate your request, but I will respectfully decline an interview at this time.”

Fass issued a statement via email on Monday.

“Serving on the CUSD Board of Education is one of the most humbling and rewarding jobs I have ever undertaken,” he wrote. “Initially, the work was quite different than what I anticipated when I declared my candidacy in 2019. We had to reopen schools in the wake of a global pandemic and replace a longstanding and beloved superintendent. That is how it started. Shortly thereafter, I had an important change in my professional life. In December 2020, I was offered my dream job, a promotion leading a staff of twelve and a $200 million capital campaign. That too, was unanticipated and exciting. For the past four years I’ve been juggling a lot, a job that is extra demanding, a family that includes school-aged children, and my service to the community. I am proud of the work I’ve been able to accomplish in my term with CUSD. I feel we have come through a great deal of uncertainty as a stronger, more resilient, more intentional district with a solid plan for the future. My decision not to run for reelection is highly personal. It was not made easily. While I am not going to be on the November 2024 ballot, I will remain very involved, and you will see me serving my community for years to come.”