OC Register | Tracy La, Garden Grove Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire
Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Name: Tracy La
Age: 31
Current job title: Nonprofit Executive Director
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Santa Ana Rental Housing Board Chair, Orange County Housing & Community Development Commissioner
City where you reside: Santa Ana
Campaign website or social media: votetracyla.com
What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Our schools must remain places of safety and opportunity for Garden Grove Unified students, families, and staff. As a Garden Grove Unified trustee, I will advocate for needed expansions to mental health support and basic needs programs, such as farm-to-school nutrition programs and support for GGUSD families facing immigration issues. I will champion Vietnamese and Spanish dual-language immersion education, early college credit opportunities, career technical education, and support for students with special needs at GGUSD. I believe that all GGUSD students should have what they need to succeed, whether they live in Santa Ana, Westminster, Garden Grove, or Fountain Valley.
Additionally, as a trustee, I will fight for accountability and transparency in GGUSD’s fiscal resources. Every dollar spent at GGUSD should go toward strengthening the quality of public education at GGUSD schools – including retaining quality teachers and staff, upgrading classrooms and facilities so they are safe and modern, and ensuring all students have the resources they need to succeed.
To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Our school board is responsible for driving policy to ensure the school district is responsive and accountable to the public. Garden Grove Unified students and families deserve school board members who fight to make sure the school district puts our tax dollars to work effectively – whether through expanding academic programs like early college credit, investing in modernized classrooms, or growing mental health and basic needs services to support GGUSD families.
Our school board is also responsible for making important decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent by the school district. School board members must ensure that the school district maintains fiscal responsibility and transparency so our schools can continue to deliver quality public education for our students.
Ultimately, our district’s teachers should lead decisions about instructional materials and curriculum because they are the experts when it comes to teaching. While the school board does play a role in curriculum adoption, I am committed to following the leadership of Garden Grove Unified teachers to ensure that curriculum meets academic standards, is responsive to community needs, and represents our shared values.
