Community Building. Equitable Policies. Fiscal Responsibility.
I’m running for re‑election to the Claremont Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Education to keep our focus on what matters most: student and staff resources, community, and responsible budgeting. Over the last four years, we’ve made excellent progress on increasing student achievement, meeting financial obligations, and providing space to support student health and family services—and there’s more work ahead. Public education succeeds when families, educators, and the community pull in the same direction. I am honored to serve as the first representative to the board for CUSD's Trustee Area 1 and I look forward to my second term.
About Kathryn Dunn
CUSD Parent | Professional | Advocate
As the former editor of the Claremont Courier, Kathryn takes an analytical approach to governance as someone who has decades of experience with meeting laws, funding & budgets, Ed Code and understanding the value of process. She grew up in Claremont, attended CUSD schools and has institutional knowledge of the district at the administrative and board level as a community member, parent and through deep research and reporting.
Today, Kathryn serves as a communications consultant for the Claremont Village Marketing Group, where she oversees community events like the monthly Art Walk, and brings together local business owners to ensure that Claremont can grow without losing its identity. Other clients include Claremont Graduate University, United Nations Global Compact, The Rembrandt Club of Pomona College, and OurCo Inc.
For the last four years, Kathryn has represented CUSD in Washington DC with the California School Boards Association to advocate for sensible funding, support for special education and to fix legislative systems that are working against efficiency public school. Kathryn has fought for more discretionary spending and less reporting requirements so that CUSD administrators can focus on student programs and staff support instead of spending the majority of their time filling out reports.
Kathryn understands that appropriate funding for special education is not only a sound financial decision but should be a moral imperative for state and federal legislators. It costs more to provide a free and appropriate education to students with disabilities—these additional costs should not be left to public school districts who are already operating on dwindling general fund dollars.
Kathryn has served on the Baldy View ROP Commission for three years and is the current President. She believes CTE learning opportunities must be expanded to appeal to different interests and learners. We must ensure that students aren't only "college ready," but "career ready." Through robust career exploration and support, Kathryn believes that students can decide not only what they want to be when they grow up, but also how to thrive through intentional development of durable skills such as emotional intelligence, problem-solving and becoming a team player. .
As a parent, Kathryn has more than 20 years of experience serving on an IEP team, working collaboratively with Claremont Unified staff to balance her child's needs with entitlements by law. Students on an IEP or 504 Plan are one of the fastest growing subgroups in the CUSD—up to 18% this year. Students with disabilities and the Claremont SPED staff deserve and need a voice on the board. Kathryn brings that voice.
Kathryn's sons attended Sycamore and Oakmont, with SPED experiences at Mountain View, Vista del Valle, Condit and Sumner-Danbury. Her experience as a parent at so many district schools sites provides a deep affection and belief in school choice. She strongly supports development of individual school identity and culture to meet the philosophies and preferences of the families who elect to enroll.
Igniting curiosity, strengthening resilience, and inspiring excellence to empower each student's academic journey.