Student Brings Alternative Education Passion to Santa Barbara School Board

August 16, 2026 - 07:12

Victoria Martinez Penaranda is stepping into the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board race with a clear focus on mental health and alternative approaches to learning. A former student of the district herself, she wants to shift the conversation away from standardized metrics and toward whole-child development.

Martinez Penaranda has spent years working with youth in non-traditional settings, including outdoor education and community-based programs. She argues that many students do not thrive in conventional classroom environments and that the district needs to expand its definition of success. Her platform emphasizes stronger mental health resources, more restorative justice practices, and deeper partnerships with local organizations that serve families outside of school hours.

She also brings a generational perspective that is often missing from board discussions. As a younger candidate, she says she understands the pressures students face today, from social media stress to housing insecurity. She wants to make sure student voices are not just heard but actually shape policy decisions.

The election comes at a time when the district is dealing with budget shortfalls and enrollment declines. Martinez Penaranda acknowledges those challenges but believes that investing in mental health and alternative programs can help keep families engaged in public schools. She is positioning herself as a bridge between the district and the community, hoping to build trust through transparency and consistent outreach.

Her campaign is still in its early stages, but she has already started meeting with parents, teachers, and students across the city. She says she is running because she believes public education can do better, and she wants to be part of that change from the inside.