José Magaña

Trustee/President José Magaña was first elected in 2018 (re-elected in 2022) as the youngest board member in SJUSD's 160+ year history. Originally from Ceres, California, President Magaña received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California-Santa Barbara and Certificate of Education Finance from Georgetown University. He has also completed the California School Boards Association's Masters in Governance courses.

Born to a teen mom and incarcerated father, President Magaña was the first male in his family to graduate from a four-year university, He began his professional career in education as a kindergarten teacher in San José. President Magaña brings vast leadership experience after serving in senior roles in education technology, education nonprofits, and education policy. As a board member, President Magaña has served 2-terms as President and Vice President and championed several equity-focused policies in the including the updating of the district equity policy, expansion of ethnic studies, early expansion of transitional kindergarten, Measure R (workforce housing and school improvements) and he was co-author of resolutions protecting Black, Latino, Asian Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ students. He served as the Chair of the Library and Education Commission for the City of San José, Secretary of the California Latino School Boards Association, founding member of the Digital Equity Coalition, and voting member on the Santa Clara County School Board Association’s Legislative Action Committee. President Magaña currently serves as Executive Director for Latinos for Education Bay Area, an education policy nonprofit focused on preparing our educator workforce.

President Magaña and his wife, who is also an educator, live with their two daughters and dog in San José. He is proud parent of two San José Unified TWIBI students.

Schools Represented:

Bachrodt Elementary Trace Elementary Muwekma Ohlone Middle Hoover Middle Lincoln High