Board Members

Aaron Simental Board President 2022-2026	Board Member Aaron Simental (he/him/his) was elected to the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School District at the November 2022 General Election. He was affirmed-into office in December of 2022 for a four-year term of service ending in 2026. Mr. Aaron Simental currently serves as President of the Board, previously serving as Vice President and Clerk. Mr. Aaron Simental is currently the youngest member of the Board of Education, one of three members who attended BUSD elementary schools and one of two BUSD high school graduates – having attended Sunkist Elementary School, Torch Middle School, and Bassett High School with the Class of 2014. Mr. Aaron Simental is a lifelong resident of the Bassett community. After graduating from Bassett High School, Mr. Aaron Simental attended Río Hondo College, a nearby community college, before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles – the #1 public university in the United States. At UCLA, Mr. Aaron Simental earned his undergraduate degree in history and public policy. Mr. Aaron Simental is proud of his background as a first-generation, community college transfer student. A long-time student advocate since his time as a BUSD student, Mr. Aaron Simental continued in leadership roles as a college student and member of the community. As a BUSD student, he served as Student Board Member on the Board of Education his senior year of high school. As a college student leader, he served in the student governments at Río Hondo College and UCLA in various elected and appointed roles. In the community, he was a co-founder of the Bassett High School Alumni Association and previously served on the Bassett USD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Measure V and served six years on the Bassett USD Personnel Commission as the CSEA Appointee — serving as chairperson of both bodies. Mr. Aaron Simental works full-time professionally at UCLA in the area of academic personnel and human resources, previously in area of student affairs and residential education. He also volunteers in the region as a progressive community leader. Mr. Aaron Simental serves as the Board’s representative to the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association since 2022, serving on the Executive Board since 2024, and represents the East Los Angeles/San Gabirel Valley region on the California School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly since 2024. Mr. Aaron Simental is honored and privileged to work on behalf of the community to ensure every BUSD student – regardless of age, background, or aspirations – is life, college, and career ready. He welcomes the input and support from students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community in the District’s endeavor to make BUSD a great place to learn, work, and thrive.
Patrice Stanzione Board Vice President 2022-2026	Initially appointed out of a large field of candidates, Patrice Stanzione first served as a Board Member from August 2014 through November 2015. She was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. As a 68-year resident of Bassett, Ms. Stanzione was proudly educated at Flanner Elementary, Van Wig Elementary, Torch Middle School and Bishop Amat. She is the only Board Member to have been educated and employed by the Bassett Unified School District as a classified employee and certificated teacher. As the granddaughter of immigrants, Patrice Stanzione was the first in her family to earn a college degree. At college, Ms. Stanzione earned a Bachelor's Degree in Government, with a course emphasis in Constitutional Law. In addition, she holds a Masters Degree in both Curriculum and Instruction and Special Education. Ms. Stanzione is on her 43rd year of teaching and has taught grades K-12 in both a general and special education setting. With the Youth Science Center, Ms. Stanzione has taught Science for 19 years and adjudicates for the NYA giving students awards for participation in the Arts, primarily Theatre. She volunteers as a teacher for ballet, drama, and art at the school where she work. Ms. Stanzione has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including Teacher-of-the-Year. She has been awarded scores of grants for her school, her classroom, and her students. Over the years, she has spoken at various educational conferences primarily on literacy for all students and specifically English Language Learners. Over the years Ms. Stanzione has written for WASC and served on two-to-three member committees which have written plans that have resulted in receiving both Distinguish School titles as well as Title I Achieving School status, SB65 Motivation, Maintenance Award, Wonders Reading, and many other grants. Ms. Stanzione's adult life has been centered around the education and enrichment of the lives of the children in the Bassett community.
Norma Gonzalez Board Clerk 2024-2028	My name is Norma Gonzalez, and I am a proud member of the Bassett community. I attended Erwin Elementary and Edgewood Middle School before graduating from Bassett High School in 1995. I earned a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. Later, I returned to school and obtained my Special Education and Multiple Subject Credentials, as well as a Master's Degree in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. My Master Thesis concentrated on 2e learners and how to best service them in a special day class setting. Throughout my years of service as a special education teacher, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of a strong partnership between the community and the school district. My goal is to foster collaboration and communication to ensure that every student in our school district receives the high-quality education they deserve. I am committed to advocating for the necessary resources to create optimal learning environments that inspire and support students. I am dedicated to maintaining a balanced budget that maximizes resources for our schools while being fiscally responsible. I am also committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration in serving our community and advocating the well-being of our students.
Dena Florez Board Member 2024-2028	Board Member Dena Florez was elected to the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School Disrict at the November 2020 General Election and currently serves as the Board President of the District. Before being elected to the Board of Education, Board Member Florez was appointed to the Bassett Unified School District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for Measure V where she served as the committee Chair. During her two-year tenure on the committee, she took an active role in holding the district accountable on how tax-payer issued bond funds were being utilized and accounted. Working with other committee members, she fought for stronger accountability and transparency. Board Member Florez is a long-time resident of the Bassett community. During her twenty-three years of residency in Bassett, she has not only dedicated her time to raising her two children alongside her husband, but she has also worked closely with the youth of the San Gabriel Valley through the AYSO soccer sports program. As her passion for working with children increased, she decided to run for the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School District to better support the children of the community in achieving their maximum potential. It is her mission to ensure the students of the community have the essential tools and resources that promote their academic success. Board Member Florez is a first-generation college student who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Accounting, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) with a focus in Government Policy. She currently works at Cal State LA as the Associate Executive Director for Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), well-known on campus as the student government office. Her primary role is coaching and mentoring students as they take on the roles to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’.
Dolores Rivera Board Member 2022-2026