Jennifer Ballerini was elected to the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education to represent Trustee Area 6 in the general election held on November 5, 2024.

 

A dedicated and active member of the Elk Grove community for 37 years, Mrs. Ballerini brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her role. Over the course of a 31-year career with the Elk Grove Unified School District, she has been deeply involved in various capacities. Her journey began as a Yard Duty and Para-Educator at her children's elementary school, where she was also an engaged parent leader on the PTA and Site Council. During this time, she collaborated with the school’s Library Technician on initiatives such as read-a-thons and other school events, which inspired her to pursue a Library Technology Certificate through Sacramento City College.

 

Throughout her career, Mrs. Ballerini worked in multiple library settings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She was also part of the founding team of the Franklin Community Library, the district's only joint-use library. Later, she transitioned to a role as Program Assistant in the Positive Youth Development Department, where she promoted student leadership and supported programs for Foster Youth, Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol Prevention. She also played a key role in organizing vaccination clinics for underinsured community members. Her final position in the district was as an Administrative Assistant to the District Athletic Director, where she provided critical support for school athletic programs, including hiring coaches, facility scheduling, and student-athlete recognition.

 

In addition to her work within the district, Mrs. Ballerini served as President of AFSCME Local 258 for the final decade of her career. In this capacity, she represented approximately 1,200 classified staff members across 150 different job classifications, negotiated union contracts, and contributed to various district committees, including Partners in Education (PIE) and the Joint Health Care Coalition (JHCC). After her retirement, she remained involved with the district by serving on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for Measure M and maintaining her role as a Director on the EGBERT Trust.

 

Mrs. Ballerini’s family shares her deep commitment to the Elk Grove community. She and her husband, a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a retired EGUSD employee, have two daughters who both attended Elk Grove Schools, graduated from CSU Sacramento, and have taught within the district.

 

In December 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Ballerini made the decision to retire in order to support her young grandsons, who were 5 and 6 years old at the time, with their educational needs. This experience has provided her with a firsthand understanding of the social, emotional, and academic challenges that students and staff continue to face. While the district has received significant financial support to address the pandemic’s impact, these resources are diminishing, and the need for continued support to close the achievement gap remains critical. Mrs. Ballerini is committed to advocating for ongoing initiatives that address these challenges and support continued growth, particularly in the area of literacy and digital learning.

 

Throughout her career and continuing into her role on the Board of Education, Mrs. Ballerini has been a steadfast advocate for education and community betterment. She remains committed to ensuring that Elk Grove's diverse and welcoming community receives the resources and support necessary for the success of each and every one of its students.