Paul Rasso Runs For SBCC District 1

COLTON>> Forty-seven years ago, Paul Rasso, Colton resident and office machine technician for Colton Joint Unified School District, was diagnosed with a heart murmur and had open heart surgery at Saint Bernardine’s hospital in San Bernardino. During that time, doctors explained to his parents that he would need a blood transfusion. Rasso’s father was a member of LIUNA Local 1184 and when his co-workers heard about the situation, many of the union members donated blood for Rasso to save his life. Now, Rasso said he is giving back to others. By running for San Bernardino Community College District Trustee Area 1, Rasso said he decided to run in order to open doors for student success and career readiness by working to bridge the gaps between colleges and region employers to ensure every student is receiving the best possible support stating at enrollment and ending with the highest quality of education for career readiness. “Some students will either go on to the university system or look for a career,” he said. “No matter what paths our students take, I want to assure they will be ready to take on the university system or enter the workforce by offering quality education courses.” As a native of the Inland Empire, Rasso was born in Corona, but said he always found himself in the Colton and San Bernardino area growing up. Now, he lives and works in Colton and has worked for CJUSD for 20 years. Rasso obtained a bachelor of science degree in legal studies associates of applied science in business administration. “Over the last 20 years, I’ve acquired a vast knowledge of public funding and decision making, I plan to use my education and knowledge to contribute to the advancement of the SBCCD,” he said. Some topics he said he feels are important to him include affordable tuition rates, student success, student retention and career readiness. “I want to see stability within our community college,” he said. He said he will continue to support colleges and the Economic Development and Corporate Training which provides instruction to the community to provide qualified employees and economic growth. “With future development headed into our area, we need the best-educated students ready to advance,” Rasso said. Since 2011, Rasso has served as the chairman of the City of Colton Parks and Recreation Commission in which he has helped organize numerous city events including concerts in the park and car show events. One accomplishment he said he is proud of includes being an advocate for installing permanent restrooms at the Colton T-ball field in McKinley Park rather than having temporary or portable restrooms. “You want the best for your community, you want the community to see green grass, beautiful trees and have a clean facility. Having those permanent structures and beautifying that park was a huge accomplishment.” With his background in legislation and passion for the next generation, he also serves as the chairman and is one of the founders of the Colton Community Coalition for CHANGE where he works with youth in helping them get prepared for the next level of their life. Together, the coalition helped bring awareness to the need for a synthetic drug ordinance in Colton. After bringing the matter to the mayor’s attention, Colton council members unanimously voted to amend an existing municipal code that bans Marijuana dispensaries in all city districts to also include prohibiting cultivation. Rasso said when the youth sees how they can make a difference, they see the process and how their voice matters. Rasso shared he had two friends pass away in high school because of alcohol-related causes which further his passion for seeing kids succeed. “Having the (kid's) health and be safe has been a huge passion of mine,” he said. Rasso is a member of the Education Legislative Committee for the California School Employees Association and represents 35,000 classified district employees in Riverside and San Bernardino districts. As a member, he volunteers his time to look at bills of legislation that would affect the workers. Through his commitment and passion for people, Rasso said he studied 632 bills last year. Paid for by Committee to Elect Paul Rasso