Candidate for
Board Member; McFarland Unified School District

My name is Olga Aguilar Garza. I am of Hispanic heritage born in Texas and raised in a suburb of Chicago,IL called Blue Island. This is where my parents migrated to in search of work. My family lived there and I went to school for the first eight years of my life. Once I graduated from 8th grade, my parents moved back to Texas. I continued my high school education in Ramondville, Texas and graduated in 1962.

I am married to Ruben G. Garza and have six children. Ruben and I moved to McFarland, CA in 1963 and have lived here since then. All my children have attended McFarland schools and graduated from McFarland High School.

I have also continued my education and attended Bakersfield College while raising my family and working. My goal is to obtain my degree in Counseling.

When Ruben and I arrived in McFarland in 1963, I began to work as a farm laborer. Once my son was old enough to start school, I stopped working and began to volunteer at Browning Road School. The Superintendent at that time asked me if I would like to work as a Teacher's Aide for the schools. That began a career of about 18 years working for the McFarland Unified School District working in different capacities.

I am currently working for the Kern Community College, Bakersfield College.

When I stopped working for the McFarland District, I decided on another goal for my life. That was to become a Trustee for our district. I was elected to a first term four years ago and am now up for reelection. I look forward to another four years and being part of a team that strives for excellence in our public educational system for all children.