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Board Members

The PUSD Board agreements about unity of purpose, roles, responsibilities, norms and protocols that enable the governance team to continue to perform its responsibilities in a way that best serves all students are reflected in this Board Governance Handbook.


The overarching goal is to set and adhere to standards and practices that model the eight characteristics of an effective School Board:

 

  • Effective school Boards commit to a vision of high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and define clear goals toward that vision.
  • Effective school Boards have strong shared beliefs and values about what is possible for students and their ability to learn, and of the system and its ability to teach all children at high levels.
  • Effective school Boards are accountability driven, spending less time on operational issues and more time focused on policies to improve student achievement.
  • Effective school Boards have a collaborative relationship with staff and the community and establish a strong communications structure to inform and engage both internal and external stakeholders in setting and achieving district goals.
  • Effective Boards are data savvy; they embrace and monitor data, even when the information is negative, and use it to drive continuous improvement.
  • Effective school Boards align and sustain resources, such as professional development, to meet district goals.
  • Effective school Boards lead as a united team with the Superintendent, each from their respective roles, with strong collaboration and mutual trust.
  • Effective school Boards take part in team development and training, sometimes with their Superintendents, to build shared knowledge, values and commitments for their improvement effort.
 
Mares
 
Board President
Martin Mares
559.847.6209
Trustee Area 5
 
Mr. Martin Mares is married to Sulema Quintanilla Mares. She is an educator in the Fresno Unified School District. They have three children. Their son Andres Mares and daughter Jacqueline Mares both study at Fresno State University.  Their daughter Izabela is a 10th grader at Sanger High School. His grandparents first came to Parlier in 1910 as farm workers. He spent most of his early years in Parlier working in the fields with his six sisters, brother, and parents. 
 
As a Parlier High School graduate of 1977, he pursued his academic studies at Fresno City College earned his AA Degree in Liberal Studies with honors. He continued his education at Fresno State University earning a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration and a MA in School Administration and Supervision. He has also been recognized as a Danforth Scholar, Channel 30 Educator of the Week, Association of Mexican American Educators Administrator of the Year, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Administrator of the Year Nominee, Parlier Unified School Administrator of the Year, City of Parlier recognition, and featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles. He has worked as a school educator for 30 years.
 
As a board member, he has high expectations for all students, parents, and educators. He looks forward to working with district administrators and fellow board members to implement cutting edge programs, adding more courses in Advanced Placement, Career and Technical Education, and Dual Enrollment to help our students apply to selective universities throughout the United States. He is determined to work with the board to build more facilities like the future Parlier High School Multiple Purpose building (cafeteria) and purchase new land for future growth.  "It is imperative that we prepare students to be able to work together as a team in a new technological world that will require them to have strong networking soft skills."
 
He enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, traveling, and coaching future world leaders. 
Mary Sanchez
 
Board Vice President
 Mary Sanchez
Trustee Area 3
 
Mrs. Mary Sanchez is a proud product of the Parlier community and a lifelong advocate for education and student success; she graduated from Parlier High School in 1970 and went on to earn an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Reedley College.
 
Mrs. Sanchez is a retired court clerk of 26 years, bringing a wealth of experience in public service and the justice system. Her professional background also includes service with California Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante and work at Table Mountain Casino. She later brought her extensive experience and dedication to Parlier Unified School District, where she worked as a special education secretary supporting students, families, and staff.
 
Mrs. Sanchez has remained deeply connected to Parlier and its schools, bringing decades of lived experience, community knowledge, and commitment to service. She was married for over 50 years and is the proud mother of two daughters, values that further shape her strong commitment to family, community, and education.
 
Having served on the school board since 2022, Mrs. Sanchez continues to be guided by a strong belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen the Parlier community.
Nathaniel Cid
 
Board Clerk
Librado Natanael Cid
Trustee Area 1
 

Mr. Librado Natanael Cid was born in Fresno, California, and is a proud product of the Parlier Unified School District. He attended John C. Martinez Elementary School and Parlier Junior High School, and graduated from Parlier High School in 2015. He continued his education at Reedley College, where he studied Communication.

 

Mr. Cid devoted approximately eight years of service to Parlier Unified as a Paraeducator, supporting students and staff with dedication and care. He now works as a tax and insurance professional while remaining deeply connected to the Parlier community.

 

A strong advocate for student wellness and engagement, Mr. Cid is especially proud of his time coaching Pop Warner football with the Parlier Panthers Youth Football program and believes in promoting health and wellness throughout the district. He is passionate about ensuring students have access to meaningful opportunities and pathways to success—whether through college, the trades, the military, or other pursuits.

 

Having served on the school board for three years, Mr. Cid remains committed to student success and community growth, guided by the belief that, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X

Gonzales
 
Board Member
Elena Gonzales
559.356.8397
Trustee Area 4
 

Mrs. Elena Gonzales was born in Sanger, California, to Salomon and Maria Escutia. Raised by farmworking parents, she learned the value of hard work, strong morals, and the importance of committing fully to one’s goals and beliefs. She is a proud graduate of Parlier High School, Class of 1990.

Mrs. Gonzales is married and the proud mother of three children, all of whom attended the Parlier Unified School District. 

Professionally, Mrs. Gonzales is an accomplished revenue cycle specialist with over 30 years of experience in revenue cycle management and currently serves as an independent consultant. She is also in her fifth year of service as a board member.

Deeply committed to her community, Mrs. Gonzales and her family volunteer their time with several local organizations. Their service includes leading the Parlier Youth Football and Cheer Program, Parlier Youth Cal Ripken, and the Parlier Round Up Committee, as well as helping organize the Parlier Community Center New Year Celebrations. Mrs. Gonzales and her family consistently support community initiatives and remain dedicated to serving and giving back to the children and families of Parlier.

Mrs. Gonzales will continue to serve as a strong, collaborative advocate for students, contributing to strategic decision making that prepares and advances all students for success within the Parlier Unified School District.

Molina
 
Board Member
Eric Molina
559.356.2917
Trustee Area 2
 
Mr. Eric Molina was born in Fresno, California and has lived in Parlier for the last 47 years. He graduated from Parlier High School and attended Fresno Community College. He then attended the CDCR Academy in 1998. He has worked 22 years working for the California Department of Corrections: 7 years as an Officer, 13 years as a Sergeant, and 2 years as a Lieutenant. He is happily married to Victoria and proud father to four girls: Ariel, 26, Alexiz, 21, Naiyah, 10, and Mialah, 5. Ariel is finishing her degree in Criminology at Fresno State and Alexiz is completing her degree in Business. The two younger ones are currently students at Parlier Unified.  He is also a proud grandfather to Ammera, 3. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and going to sporting events.
 
Mr. Molina has volunteered as a coach for Pop Warner, t-ball, and softball, and helped with PTC for the last 26 years. He has served 12 years on the School Site Council as President and also volunteered for the REACH program. He has completed seven years on the Parlier Unified School Board: one year as Clerk, one year as Vice President, and one year as President, and four years as a member. His term expires 2026.