Denair Unified School District

The Denair Unified School District Board of Trustees is made up of five members who serve a four-year term of office. They are elected at large by voters who live in the Denair Unified School District attendance area.
 
A portrait of a smiling woman
Crystal Sousa, President
Elected 2022; Term Ends 2026
 
A portrait of a smiling woman
Kathi Dunham-Filson, Clerk
Elected 2020; Term Ends 2024
 
Billy Myers
Billy Myers, Member
Elected 2022; Term Ends 2026
 
A portrait of a man
Ray Prock Jr., Member
Elected 2020; Term Ends 2024
 
Carmen Wilson Photo
Carmen Wilson, Member
Elected 2020: Term Ends 2024
 
Governance Handbook

Governance Handbook
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Board members determine school district policy, authorize new programs and curriculum, adopt budgets, approve staff employment, determine salary schedules and provide a unique and crucial link between the community and the school district.
About the Board

About the Board
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Crystal Sousa, President (elected 2017; term ends 2026)
 
Crystal and her husband, Alcino, have two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth, and one grandson, Andy. Crystal and her family have lived in Denair for 20 years and enjoy the sense of community that is felt in their neighbors. Crystal has earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and teaching credentials in English, Social Science, and Special Education. She also has her master's in education administration along with an administrative credential. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at CSU Stanislaus. Crystal has been an educator for 18 years and has spent the last 15 years working for Merced County Office of Education. She is currently Principal at Atwater Education Center. It is Crystal's firm belief that part of being an educator is being a lifelong learner. 
 
 
Kathi Dunham-Filson, Clerk (elected 2020; term ends 2024)
 
Kathi earned her master’s degree in educational administration, a school counseling credential and a multiple subject teaching credential. She has worked in education for more than 25 years. Kathi firmly believes that there is not a “one size fits all” educational pathway and that innovative approaches to education benefit all students. She holds a high personal standard for herself and as an educator, she is confident in her ability to teach, motivate and guide others to attain their goals.  She actively supports a variety of music programs in and out of the educational system up and down the San Joaquin Valley. Kathi also strongly supports the Dual Language program in Denair.  The more life skills our students can learn before they head out into the world, the more ways they will have to measure their success.   She is committed to keeping parents, students, staff and the Denair community well-informed about district activities. 
 
 
Ray Prock, Board Member (elected 2020; term ends 2024)
 
Ray and his wife, Erica, have two children, Bryson and Brielle. Both are graduates of Denair High School having  attended DUSD schools from Kindergarten through graduation. Ray is a Business Development and Industry Relations Manager for Sevana Bioenergy. In addition to being a Board Member for DUSD Ray has held various leadership roles within the agribusiness industry.  Ray’s experience in the professional world fueled a passion to foster life skills in the leaders of tomorrow -- our students in the Denair Unified School District.
 
 
Billy Myers, Board Member (elected 2022; term ends 2026)
 
Billy grew up in Denair, as a third-generation resident attending DUSD from 1st-12th grades.  As a high school student, he was elected as the student board member representing the voices of the student body from 2008-2010. He attended Modesto Junior College and California State University Stanislaus graduating with degrees in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and communications. He now serves as the CFO/Treasurer for numerous for profit, & nonprofit organizations and an active member of the Denair Lions Club as a past president.
 
 
Carmen Wilson, Board Member (elected 2020; term ends 2024)
 
Carmen has two children who attended Denair schools and has participated on school site committees. She is a board member for the Stanislaus County Youth Development Committee and taught Sunday school at Connection Point Church in Denair. Wilson is a certified public accountant and the Finance Director at Center for Human Services in Modesto.