PRIORITIES

PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

As the son of Vietnamese refugees, Nicolas Kiet Quach knows what it feels like when families don’t trust government to protect them. Growing up, his family never believed government would stand up for them — and too many immigrant families in Alhambra still feel that way today.

No child should walk into school worried about deportation or whether their family will still be together when they get home.

As your next School Board Member, I will:

Safe Haven Protections: Maintain and strengthen the District’s Safe Haven policy, so immigration enforcement cannot access schools without a judicial warrant. I will also push for AUSD to notify families immediately if immigration activity occurs at or near any of our campuses — protections currently being considered statewide in SB 98, but which we should not wait to adopt.
Protect Student Data: Guarantee that student records remain secure and that no immigration status data is collected, protecting students’ privacy and rights.
Family Support: Building on my work as President of the Alhambra Library Board — where I expanded Know Your Rights workshops and Citizenship Clinics — I will bring these resources into our schools, along with multilingual support and mental health services for students living in fear of deportation.

Student Success and Achievement

Nicolas grew up on Medi-Cal and Food Stamps. He remembers borrowing pencils because his family couldn’t afford supplies and wearing hand-me-down uniforms just to get through the year. He wasn’t a perfect student, but earned his place at USC because of his passion for leadership, service, and building community outside the classroom.

His story reflects the reality of so many AUSD students: potential isn’t measured only by test scores, but by opportunity, support, and community.

As your next School Board Member, I will:

Expanding Dual Enrollment: As a former student in the Early College Program with East Los Angeles College, dual enrollment saved me thousands of dollars in tuition. I will expand career-specific course offerings, create dedicated on-campus spaces for students to attend online college classes, and ensure courses maximize credit transferability beyond UC A–G. I will also push the District to expand scheduling options so student-athletes and students in extracurriculars can participate without sacrificing opportunities.
Counselor-to-Student Ratios: Counselors shouldn’t be responsible for 600+ students. I will fight to hire more counselors and partner with local universities to place counseling interns in our schools. Every high school should also have dedicated College Counselors. Lower ratios mean students get real support on mental health, college applications, and career planning — not left waiting in line.
Smaller Class Sizes: Crowded classrooms hurt both students and teachers. I will work to maintain reasonable class sizes in early grades and high-need subject. Smaller classes mean more individualized instruction, stronger relationships, and better outcomes for every student.
Support Every Learner: Guarantee that resources reach general education students, while fighting so parents never have to battle for the special education services their children are legally entitled to.
Career & College Pathways: Expand CTE programs, internships, and partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits, ensuring every student graduates with a diploma and a plan.

SUPPORTING EDUCATORS

Across 14 years, Nicolas grew up in Alhambra’s classrooms, raised by educators who worked long hours and often spent their own money to help students succeed. They were the ones who pushed him to lead, to speak up for what’s right, and to believe his voice mattered — shaping the path he walks today.

The classroom is where Nicolas’s journey began. It’s why he has stood with educators across California on the picket lines, and why he made history as the youngest Library Trustee in the United States.

As your School Board Member, I will:

Fair Pay & Retention: Fight for competitive pay and benefits so AUSD can recruit and retain excellent educators. Every student deserves a teacher who is committed to staying in the classroom long-term.
Classroom Support: Lower counselor-to-student ratios and expand support staff, so teachers can focus on instruction instead of carrying the weight of mental health and social-emotional needs alone.
Teacher Voice: Build a strong partnership with the Alhambra Teachers Association by regularly engaging with the Site Representative Council and meeting with educators where they are — in classrooms, on campuses, and at community events. I will hold myself accountable by creating open lines of communication so teachers have a direct role in shaping district policies that affect their work and their students’ success.

ADDRESSING DECLINING ENROLLMENT

As Alhambra’s affordability crisis worsens and families move out of the city, low-income students are increasingly forced to commute long distances to attend school. I’ve seen this firsthand — friends and classmates who grew up with me in Alhambra had to leave because their families couldn’t keep up with rising costs. Some ended up commuting 15–30 minutes each way just to finish school.

This reality threatens the future of AUSD, but I believe the district can act to make our schools more attractive, accessible, and supportive so families choose to stay.

As your School Board Member, I will:

Expand What Works: Strengthen successful programs like dual immersion, early college, and CTE so families see AUSD as a district worth staying in, without relying on costly new initiatives.
Transportation Access: Partner with the Alhambra City Council to make the Alhambra Community Transit fare-free and work with Metro to introduce the U-Pass program, ensuring students can commute at no cost. No student should have to choose between getting to class and their family’s budget.
Family Outreach: Conduct surveys, listening sessions, and exit interviews with families leaving AUSD to directly address their concerns and rebuild trust.
Diploma + Plan: Ensure every student graduates not just with a diploma, but with a clear plan for college, career, or service — giving families confidence that AUSD prepares students for lifelong success.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & Partnerships

Nicolas grew up as the son of Vietnamese refugees in a family that often felt disconnected from schools and government. His family never attended meetings because they couldn’t afford to take off work, and didn’t always feel welcome in the process. That experience drives Nicolas’ belief that trust between schools, families, and the district must be proactive — not reactive.

As President of the Alhambra Library Board, he expanded student library cards to every child, protected free tutoring programs during state budget cuts, and brought the Mobile Library directly into neighborhoods. He knows what it takes to meet families where they are and to make resources truly accessible.