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Zachary Patterson

Board Trustee, San Diego Unified School District

Zachary Patterson

Board Trustee, San Diego Unified School District
Role

 

Zachary Patterson is a high school senior and the first student ever elected to the San Diego Board of Education. Beginning in 7th grade, Zachary spent three years advocating for the creation of a Student Advisory Board and the addition of a student member to the Board of Education. After receiving support from the school board and being elected by fellow students, Zachary quickly got to work on student-centered priorities. Zachary has changed district absence codes to allow excused absences for mental health and successfully passed a requirement for mental health education. He has stressed the urgency of climate change and worked with students to successfully pressure Governor Newsom to phase out offshore oil drilling. Zachary is President and founder of the California Student Board Member Association which works to ensure that all Student Board Members are provided with education and training on how to effectively serve as a student trustee. Under Zachary’s leadership, CSBMA sponsored two bills in the California State Legislature aimed at supporting student mental health and expanding student representation at the local and county level. Zachary works with students across the country, devoting much of his time to ensuring equitable student voice and engagement.