Romoland School District Trustee O’rell Colbert said he is seeking another term to continue building on the work the district has done over the past two years, particularly as the community continues to grow.
A 20-year Army veteran, Colbert began working in education as a paraeducator after retiring from the military. He later became a special education teacher and is now in his eighth year as a teacher. He currently teaches at Paloma Valley High School, where he also coaches and serves as a Black Student Union adviser.
Colbert said he decided to apply for the vacant board seat after the previous board member stepped down. His children grew up attending Romoland schools, and his family has roots in the community.
“I wanted to continue to give,” he said. “And what better way was to be a part of the board?”
Colbert said his desire to continue serving also comes from his military background.
“It’s serving people. It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about what’s best for everybody else and what I can do to help.”
During his time on the board, Colbert said the district has created a special education task force to look at staffing and support within the department, including aides, program specialists and coordinators.
He also pointed to expanded visual and performing arts opportunities, including drama, band, choir and art, as well as parking improvements and additional after-school programs.
Colbert said after-school programs are particularly important for working families, something he experienced himself as a parent.
When asked about challenges the district still faces, Colbert pointed to class sizes and staffing, including the need for additional aides. He said hiring can be difficult when there are not enough applicants and emphasized the importance of providing teachers with enough support to prevent burnout.
Colbert also emphasized being accessible to parents and employees. He said he regularly receives messages from community members and tries to make sure their concerns reach district leadership.
“If a parent is reaching out to me, no matter what time it is, it’s my duty to make sure that they’re heard and see what I can do to help,” Colbert said.
He said his connection to Romoland goes back to when his family bought their first home after his military service. He recalled neighbors welcoming his family and said the experience showed him the importance of the community to the families who live there.
“At the end of the day, it’s the students, the community, the family and everybody coming together so we can just continue to grow,” Colbert said.
