At the Jan. 18, 2023, Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education meeting, the board welcomed Student Trustee Ronnie Taylor to the dais. Student Trustee Taylor is the first student trustee in recent years, and as he begins his year on the VCUSD Board of Education, learn more about our governing board's newest and youngest face. 

1. What made you apply for the position, and what was the application process like?

I applied for the position because I could have insight into real changes around my school, more importantly, my community. Not many people who look like me have jobs like the one I'm in. I want to inspire somebody through my accomplishments. The application process was fairly simple; though I ran unopposed, I still had to get upwards of 115 student signatures.

2. What will your duties be as a student trustee?

My duties as a student trustee will be to give the site reports for each high school campus and speak up on issues that concern students. 

3. What are you looking forward to regarding your work with the board?

I look forward to gaining experience in local government and more knowledge of our bureaucracy. 

4. Do you have any goals you would like to accomplish during your time with the board?

One goal is to make our schools more secure by implementing security changes. I also hope to revitalize and refurbish the football field and track at Jesse Bethel High School. 

5. What is the importance of a student serving on the Board of Trustees? How is the student voice on the board evolving?

A student serving on the board of trustees is essential because it gives another perspective, rather than having reports on what students think students are doing and data reports. My voice tells what students are doing and how they feel, and it can communicate something data will never be able to. Behind every statistic, there is a kid with a story. 

6. How do you plan to represent the student body? What student interest, in particular, needs to be protected or brought to life?

I represent the student body by speaking up about inequity and advocating for all students. In particular, our school safety needs to be protected. We should not live in fear of going to school and wondering if something bad will happen to us. Education is so essential to the upbringing of an individual. If we codify that, our community will flourish. 

7. What extracurricular activities are you involved in? 

I run our school newspaper, the Jesse Bethel Post. In addition, I am a deputy drill team commander in my NJROTC unit, and I was the JV boys basketball assistant coach/team manager.

8. What do you want to do after high school? 

After high school, I plan to attend UC Davis or Howard University. After I graduate college, I hope to get a job in the Vallejo City Manager's Office and become a lobbyist for our city or help in any way I can.

9. What are your career goals? 

My career goal is to one day become the President of the United States. However, before I do that, I want to help my community first. I truly love my city and can do many things to help change it. Instead of talking about what's wrong with my city and doing nothing, I want to be fully involved in reshaping it, starting with our schools, then our economy, and cleaning up our streets.