Introducing Our Board

The Board of Education is the governing body for the San Juan Unified School District. Terms are staggered so that three or four seats are up for election every two even-numbered years. In November 2022, San Juan Unified moved to by-trustee area elections and increased the size of the board to seven board members. Board members earn compensation of $787.50 each month and may subscribe to the district's health insurance plans. The superintendent of the school district serves as the chief executive officer, manages district staff and ensures that board policies are carried out. Members of the public can reach ALL board members directly by e-mailing boardmembers@sanjuan.edu.

 

Ben Avey - President (Area 6)
Term Ends 2026

Ben Avey is a parent of school-age children and nonprofit leader that has dedicated his career to improving local neighborhoods through public policy, advocacy, and community engagement. A graduate of Del Campo High School and San Diego State University, Ben has served in the State Capitol, as civilian public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy in Japan, and with state and local non-profits. He is currently the chief public affairs officer at WellSpace Health, a non-profit community health system serving the underserved. A lifelong community volunteer, Ben was the founder and past president of the San Juan Parents Association (an independent community group) and past president of his kids’ school site council. He has been awarded the U.S. Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, recognized as 40 Under 40 by SD Metro Magazine, and in recognition of his service to teens and adults with disabilities, honored with a community service award. Ben lives in Fair Oaks with his wife and kids.

 

Tanya Kravchuk - Vice President (Area 5)
Term Ends 2026

Tanya Kravchuk is a mom of four kids and a joint owner of a residential construction company. Born in Ukraine, Tanya moved to the US when she was five years old. She is an alumna of San Juan Unified and holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from California State University, Sacramento. As an immigrant, she understands the hardships and nuances of navigating the school system from an “outsider” perspective. Tanya has devoted most of her career to serving children in both a volunteer and professional capacity at various nonprofits including the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento where she later worked for nearly a decade. She served as vice president of her school site council, taught Sunday school for more than 20 years and has been a board member and committee chair for various community groups and events including the Rotary Club of Sacramento, Planned Giving Forum of Sacramento and the extremely successful Night of Hope benefit concert. Tanya also worked with schools and local governments during the 2020 Census to secure support for an accurate count. Early in her career, she worked in marketing at Farmers Insurance and in public affairs at Intel Corporation. She then transitioned to nonprofit work as the resource development manager at PEACE for Families and later the director of development & communication at the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento focusing on our communities most vulnerable – abused and neglected children.

 

Manuel Perez - Clerk (Area 7)
Term Ends 2026

Manuel Perez was elected to the board in 2023. Manuel is deeply committed to serving the constituents of this diverse and vibrant community, with a focus on advocating for educational excellence, campus safety and community engagement. A dedicated father of three and a volunteer for the police department, he holds a seat on the construction board of appeals for the city of Citrus Heights and has been a resident of Citrus Heights for more than 20 years. Manuel's journey in public service is rooted in a profound love for his community. Prior to his election, Manuel built a reputation as a hardworking advocate for educational improvement and community development.

 

Zima Creason - Member (Area 3)
Term Ends 2026

Zima Creason is a parent, advocate and businesswoman. She serves as the Executive Director of the California EDGE Coalition and she was elected as a San Juan Unified School District Governing Board Member in 2018.  At EDGE, she works to address workforce shortages, create pathways to the middle class, and to advance economic mobility for all Californians. She is committed to stakeholder empowerment and coalition building to support and sustain communities. Zima has worked in the policy field since 2001 and much of her work has focused on equity as it relates to mental health policy as well as community outreach and engagement. She is dedicated to supporting students to have the tools and skills they need to access and secure good jobs in adulthood with family supporting wages and benefits.  She is also passionate about supporting people to avoid crisis outcomes, mental health, social justice, and for all Americans to have access and opportunity to achieve the American Dream regardless of their zip code, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health/mental health status, gender identification, or who they love.

 

Nick Bloise - Member (Area 4)
Term Ends 2028

Nick Bloise was elected to the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education in 2024. Nick has been a lifelong resident of Carmichael. During his early years, he attended San Juan Unified schools (K-12) and graduated from Mira Loma High School. Nick is an Army veteran who served 23 years (on reserve and active duty), retiring as a Major. He earned a Master of Business Administration (Finance) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accountancy), with a minor in Economics, from California State University, Sacramento. In addition, Nick graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College. Nick’s career experiences include over 25 years of service with the State of California as an auditor. He has also served as a guest teacher in San Juan Unified and as a member of the Bond Oversight Committee. Additionally, he has family currently enrolled in San Juan Unified schools. Nick is an active community volunteer on several boards, commissions and foundations. He looks forward to working with students, parents, teachers, staff and the community  to ensure students are safe and receive the highest quality education. 

 

Abid Stanekzai - Member (Area 1)  
Term Ends 2028

Abid Stanekzai was elected to the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education in 2024. A dedicated community advocate, Abid has been actively working to improve lives through education and community support. Since 2021, Abid has served as a Program Manager with the MAS-SSF, where he leads efforts to strengthen community development, provide support services, and advocate for social equity. As a parent of three children attending Greer Elementary School, Abid brings firsthand experience of the district’s strengths and opportunities for growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Political Science, equipping him with the knowledge and leadership skills to address complex educational and policy challenges. Fluent in multiple languages, including English, Pashto, Persian/Dari, and Urdu/Hindi, Abid uses his multicultural perspective to build connections and foster inclusivity across the district’s diverse communities. As a board member, he is committed to promoting equity, enhancing campus safety, and creating pathways to success for all students.

 

Pam Costa - Member (Area 2)
Term Ends 2028

Pam Costa was elected to the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education in 2012. Pam graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a California teaching credential. She earned a Master's in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Services Credential from California State University, Sacramento. Pam served as a teacher, principal and director of numerous schools and programs in San Juan Unified, including 21 elementary schools, the BSTA/PAR program and the Early Childhood Education programs. Pam has also seen San Juan schools from a parent’s perspective. Her son, Josh, attended San Juan schools from kindergarten through high school and, upon graduating from college, worked for the district first as a teacher and later as an administrator. Pam's granddaughter and grandson are in elementary school in San Juan Unified, so she has current, firsthand experience with what is happening at our schools. Since being elected to the Board, Pam has completed the California School Boards Association’s (CSBA) Masters in Governance Program, has been a member of the Delegate Assembly for ten years, served on the CSBA Conference Committee, and was a Golden Bell validator.