Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the new board member’s name as Sammy Luna instead of Sammie Luna. The Record apologizes for this error.
The Moreno Valley Unified School District Board of Education today voted to appoint Sammie Luna to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Area 1 Trustee Jesus Holguin.
“Our parents send us their best,” Trustee Ruth Self-Williams said. “They send us their babies. They don’t keep the good ones at home and send us their other children. They send us what they have. It is our role and responsibility to do the right thing for them, so this is a hard decision, but for me, I looked at the big picture.”
The decision came one week after the board interviewed five candidates: Luna, JoAnn Stephan, Shantel Tracey, Jairo Ruiz and Adam Howard-Thomas Sinner.
“I commend you guys for meeting with us and giving us your ideas on how you can make our district a lot better than it is today, so thank you for that,” Trustee CJ Johnson said. “And thank you guys for being interested in the welfare and the education of all of our students, not just those that are in here, but all of those that are in our city and our surrounding cities.”
During the interview process, Luna said she has lived in Moreno Valley for 14 years and has had two children, a daughter and a son, graduate from Moreno Valley schools.
“I love serving the community,” she said. “I am an employee of the city of Riverside, 20 years, and I’m, you know, a lifelong public servant, and not only do I do that in my daily job, but I am also known to volunteer for different events in the community and give my free time because it’s something that fulfills my heart.”
She also said during the interview process that her highest priority would be to make “thoughtful and considerate decisions,” knowing that they impact not only the students, but also the employees of the district.
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“I value community,” she said. I value lifting other people up. I value, you know, giving my time and meeting new people and just sharing a positive spirit with the community.”
Luna also said during the interview that she does plan to run for election in November 2026 when the term expires.
“I would love nothing more than to represent Moreno Valley Unified School District outside of these walls and be proud to say it,” she said.
Members of the public who spoke following the interview process and ahead of the selection discussion, advocated for Luna, Stephan, Tracey and Ruiz.
With input from the community, unions and other stakeholders, the board narrowed down the candidate pool to Luna, Stephan and Sinner.
“I would be happy with any of these three candidates,” Trustee Susan Smith said. “I would not go home and cry if one of these three was selected.”
After a motion that failed to get a second to appoint Sinner and a failed motion to appoint Stephan, the board voted 3-1 to appoint Luna, with Johnson voting against.
“I’m sure that I speak for the entire board when saying that we congratulate Sammie Luna and welcome her as a provisional appointee to the governing board of Moreno Valley Unified School District,” Clark said. “I would also like to thank each of the other candidates [for] their own participation.”
Luna is set to be sworn in at the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 27.
A full recording of the meeting can be found here on the city’s YouTube page.
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