Anu Gupta, a father of three and a resident of Cerritos, has officially announced his candidacy for the ABC Unified School District Board in District 4. His campaign centers on enhancing campus safety, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement, with a commitment to bringing positive, long-term changes to the district.

Gupta emphasizes that safety is his top priority. He plans to implement modern safety technologies to ensure a secure learning and working environment for students and staff. Notably, he pointed out that the district, which includes 30 schools, currently employs only one Safety Officer, making it challenging to adequately address safety needs across the entire district. He advocates for having a dedicated Safety Officer at each school and supports the introduction of mental health resources and emergency preparedness programs within the district.

Regarding academic development, Gupta aims to uphold ABC District’s tradition of academic excellence while pushing for innovative teaching methods and curriculum enhancements. He believes that improving education quality relies heavily on the efforts of teachers and insists that the district should provide additional resources and support for educators.

As a concerned parent actively involved in Nixon Academy and Gahr High School’s school site councils, Gupta has gained a deep understanding of school district management and resource allocation. He asserts that strengthening communication and collaboration among parents, teachers, and community members is essential to address challenges such as declining enrollment and teacher turnover, and to develop robust strategies for the district’s future.

In addition to his role as a parent, Gupta is a biotech engineer specializing in the automation of cell and gene therapy, bringing substantial team management experience to the table. He intends to leverage his expertise and management skills to ensure effective use of limited resources to promote educational development within the district.

Currently, Gupta has received endorsements and support from several elected officials, including Cerritos Mayor Naresh Solanki, former Mayor Carol Chen, and U.S. Representative Michelle Steel. Cerritos City Council candidate Huang Zhengfen has expressed her belief in Gupta’s passion for education and genuine commitment to district development, highlighting that this motivation and dedication are among his most valuable qualities. She also noted that, like the Asian American community, the Indian community is very focused on their children’s education. Despite Gupta’s opponents possibly having greater name recognition, she emphasized that education is not about politics; ultimately, it’s about capability and passion.