Goals
Health-Centric Policy
Jesse Hong’s immediate goal as a School Board member would be to ensure a safe and well-thought out plan for San Marino schools to reopen per state and county guidelines. As a healthcare professional, Jesse is keenly aware of the importance of following the recommendations of health experts in planning the schools’ reopening. However, as a parent of a SMHS school student, he also understands the desire of families to have children back in a physical setting for optimal learning and mental well-being. Most of all, Jesse would like to take a longer view and examine the longitudinal impact of all proposed solutions. He will rely on input from healthcare experts, state guidelines, and parent suggestions to make the best plan for safe school re-opening and operations during this pandemic time.
STEM Education Focus
Academically, Jesse wants to focus on the development of STEM education initiatives. For example, SMUSD’s partnership with Caltech for the STEM Research Program has been a resounding success. He will work to build upon this worthwhile opportunity for the students. He will also continue to explore and expand the dual track program for SMHS students to enroll at Pasadena City College. In the long term, he believes SMUSD should focus even more on STEM education and innovation to prepare our graduates for the digital future.
Schools Funding
Looking at the financial picture, Jesse understands that the district is facing a fiscal crunch as result of the state‘s budget deficit, decreasing student enrollment, increasing health safety expenditures, and campus security requirements. Jesse’s years of involvement with the San Marino Schools Foundation as a Trustee and Treasurer has given him insight and understanding into the evolving nature of school funding. His role as a community-based pharmacist has prepared him to deal with the complex issues of COVID-19 and its many related health effects. As a small business owner, Jesse handles with budgetary and human resource issues on a daily basis. He believes these experiences and knowledge will make him a valuable School Board member.
San Marino Schools Store
In a bold new proposal to increase school revenue and to enhance community engagement, Jesse would like to suggest the creation of the San Marino Schools Store. Working with the district, he would like to see a non-profit store that offers school supplies for students coming back to school and also for their needs throughout the year. All the profits from the store will be donated to the SMUSD. The store will serve multiple purposes. It will bring more revenue to the district. All sourcing will be made through wholesale pricing to guarantee that the store gets the best price possible. Profits will be generated, but at a reasonable range. The parents and students will have a reliable place to acquire their supply supplies and give financially to the school district at the same time. The store can also be a place where parents and children can meet to encourage each other and discuss ideas. Jesse envisions that the store will eventually carry apparel and merchandise for the Titan Sports, Marching Bands, Choir, Robotic teams, and other school supported groups. It can truly be a place where the community gathers to support the students.