José Luis
Rojas Villarreal
for School Committee 2021
Integrity - Compassion - Leadership
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TODAY!

ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
I want to start by saying that I has been an honor and privilege to serve, especially given the awesome challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.
During my first term, I have shown that I can bring people together with various points of view and data considerations, and come up with consensus or other ways to move forward. For example, as chair of the building & grounds subcommittee, I have listened to our community members with expertise in health care, science and education who have volunteered to provide us with invaluable advice. I helped bring together all this information in the form of the district’s COVID-19 health & safety manual, which enabled us to bring our youngest and most-at-risk students back to the classrooms safely earlier than many other districts. The manual and its successful implementation have served as a model for other school committees in and outside the state.
I have also used my professional experience to ensure long-term considerations are fully incorporated in the School Committee’s decision making. For example, in March 2020 the onset of the pandemic coincided with the discussion of the 2020-2021 budget. I urged that we needed to integrate the likely effects of the pandemic into our discussion for the budget. This meant that the budget discussion took longer than normal, but also pushed us to have conversations with the City Manager and City Council that resulted in the City’s commitment to cover the additional costs of responding to the pandemic during the 2021 school year.
Lastly, through that and the following budget cycles, I noticed that most of the discussions centered on new initiatives to be funded as an increase to the base budget. I have requested that for future budget discussions that we also focus on areas that should be changed or discontinued if they are not showing the intended results. It is key that the School District and School Committee continue to adapt and course-correct based on monitoring and evaluation of our programs, and to clearly and openly communicate these changes to the Community.
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
Sep 9, 2021
Campaign Kickoff
As I announced earlier, I am running for re-election to the Cambridge School Committee this November! Hope that you can join us at my kickoff event in our front garden - 19 Cornelius Way - Thursday 16 Sep 6:30pm - 7:30 pm!
June 29, 2021
My Re-election Campaign Announcement
I humbly announce that I will run for re-election to the Cambridge School Committee on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Click here to read more on the work we have done and my contributions over the last year and a half.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATE
October 6, 2021
Student Vaccine Mandate
Click here to read more on my vote against the student vaccine mandate. But in short I was unsuccessful in asking the School Committee to amend the recommendation so that it only mandated fully FDA approved vaccines.
May 14, 2021
National Recognition of Safety Measures
The Infection Control & School Task Force has named Cambridge Public Schools as one their best practice cases in the country. Click here for their Roadmap to Healthy Schools.
May 14, 2021
Appointment of Interim Superintendent and My Vote
Update on appointment of interim superintendent and my remarks before I voted against. Click here for information on the search process.
Oct 26, 2020
COVID-19 Safety Manual
Adoption of safety manual, a key step in starting in-person learning. Thank you to everyone in the Health & Safety Working Group and all who came to the building & grounds subcommittee meetings for its development. Click here for the manual.
Aug 7, 2020
Reopening Model Decision
Reflection on vote last night on the proposed learning model for the start of the school year. Click here for the related Order that provides details on what was decided.
You can also find the latest version of the learning model by clicking here.
Apr 19, 2020
January-March Newsletter
Summary of what has been happening for the past three months:
* January - Budget Process
* February - District Plan, Governance and Building Equity Bridges
* March - Culturally Responsive Teaching, SUMIT Summer Program, Response to COVID-19, and Presentation of FY 2021 Budget
CAMPAIGN BUZZ
Nov 4, 2019
Election Day is tomorrow! and non-political sources of information
Please remember to vote! And here are a couple of non-political sources of information on the School Committee and City Council candidates:
* Cambridge Civic Journal - click here
* The Whistler of the Agassiz Baldwin Community - click here
* The Forum of CRLS - School Committee and City Council
Oct 28, 2019
Interview with Jimmy Tingle of CCTV
José Luis was interviewed by Jimmy Tingle in CCTV as part of Jimmy's Meet the Candidates program. Please watch the vido below or click here.
Oct 7, 2019
Cambridge Education Association Candidate Forum
CCTV live streamed the Cambridge School Committee Candidate Forum organized by the Cambridge Education Association. Please see below or click here to watch.
Nov 1, 2019
Latest Endorsements, Patty Nolan, Quinton Zondervan and Willy Foote
Humbled to add endorsements of Patty Nolan, Quinton Zondervan and Willy Foote, among others.
Oct 24 & 27 2019
Cambridgeport and East Cambridge Candidate Forums
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association hosted a candidate night for both School Committee and City Council candidates. The East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT) and East End House hosted a School Committee Forum.
Oct 3, 2019
Endorsement Our Revolution Cambridge and Panel Video
I am excited to let you know that Our Revolution Cambridge has endorsed me for School Committee, along with four other candidates. This was the result of an open and transparent process. Please see below or click here to see a video of their candidate panel.
For other endorsements, click here.