Longtime San Marino resident Julie Chan Lin has entered the race for a seat on the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education.
Chan Lin attended district schools and is a graduate of San Marino High School and USC. The 30-year city resident and her husband, Jeff Lin, have three daughters, all of whom attended Carver Elementary School. Two daughters now attend a local private school and one is beginning 5th grade at Carver.
Chan Lin, whose professional background involves work as a television host, has dedicated her time to SMUSD in what she refers to as “nontraditional ways.” She was one of the creators of the San Marino Schools Participation Forum Facebook group, which helps fellow parents navigate school issues. She began the filming of school board meetings “for transparency and to help parents unable to attend meetings in person,” and hosted a town hall meeting in 2018 regarding a proposed facilities modernization bond.
“These activities launched me into education advocacy — and controversy,” she said. In 2018, a district administrator sent Chan Lin a cease-and-desist letter to stop filming the meetings, which she said led to her receiving “a tidal wave of support by fellow parents.”
“I have continued to film and since then, numerous parents have reached out for guidance in advocating for their kids.
“I want to be the voice of courage and hope for parents who fear speaking up,” she added. “I want all those sidelined parents to become a part of the conversation.”
In the classroom, Chan Lin said, she has created opportunities that did not previously exist for students. In 2018, she worked with Carver Principal Mike Lin — no relation — to implement anti-bullying instruction and created a speech-and-debate program for 6th-grade students that she hosted at her home the following year. She also began a mentor program at Carver in which families whose children are already attending the school take new families under their wing.
Chan Lin sees a new wave of advocacy and opportunity for positive change with district Superintendent Wilson. “Dr. Wilson walked into a district with many challenges, and then a pandemic hit. Despite it all, he has been able to make some key personnel changes,” Chan Lin said. “We can expand on those and implement forward-thinking policies that realize and support the unlimited potential of our faculty and students.”
Through her daughters, Chan Lin said, she “has seen firsthand the benefits of both private and public schools.”
Recognizing the financial challenges facing the SMUSD, Chan Lin said many of the curriculum changes she seeks would not heavily impact the bottom line. As examples, she cited empowering administrators and teachers to resolve time constraints that impede block scheduling, implementing the dual-enrollment agreement the district has with Pasadena City College, granting high school credit for all University of California-approved courses, and scaling honors and AP course offerings so there are enough seats for all students who wish to challenge themselves.
“I don’t see our funding issues getting any better, so we need to be more creative and prudent with our existing funds,” said Chan Lin, who said she has witnessed countless families leave San Marino for charter and private schools. “The district, in my view, hasn’t innovated or kept pace with the latest educational advancements.”
Regarding potential bonds and parcel taxes, Chan Lin said she would review every line item proposed and ask if it would directly benefit the students.
“I will always put the student first — will they be more inspired by a $60 million performing arts center or by a talented drama teacher?” said Chan Lin. “I am also not opposed to replacing outdated and inefficient air conditioners or addressing critical safety needs.”
Chan Lin also said she would look to SMUSD board member Corey Barberie for his financial expertise. She said she “wholeheartedly agreed” with Barberie’s calls for the district to have a master plan and vision for funds “so the community understood upfront exactly where the money would be spent.”
“The San Marino community is beyond generous and, as a board member, I think it is imperative to be good stewards of that hard-earned money and use it wisely and thoughtfully,’ Chan Lin said. “It is not ours to squander, but it is an investment in our students’ futures.”
Seeking one of two open seats in the Nov. 3 election, Chan Lin said she was determined to find another parent who was passionate about putting students first.
“It was clear to me that in order to make a difference for all students, I needed to lock arms with someone in the community who sees what I see and shares my vision and hopes for SMUSD, and that person is Doreen Summers,” said Chan Lin.
“I will relentlessly work to improve the educational experience of our students, prepare them for college, and support their socio-emotional well-being,” said Chan Lin. “As a journalist and communicator, I have a passion for building meaningful relationships through trust, open dialogue and collaboration. One of my main goals is to shape the culture of SMUSD to be one of support for students and teachers by being more innovative, constructive, empowering, and kindness-focused. In such a climate, everyone will be heard and respected.”
