Dave Zygielbaum

Priorities

Keeping Our Children Safe
Strong Parental Partnership
Early College Credit Program
Increased Enrollment

Keeping Our Children Safe

I am deeply honored both to be the only school board candidate ever endorsed by the Torrance Firefighters Association and to have earned the endorsement of the Torrance Teachers Association.  Their trust reflects my deep commitment to public safety and my dedication to protecting our schools.  

As a father of 3 young TUSD children, and a Deputy District Attorney with over 15 years of experience protecting children, I will ensure that our schools are safe, secure, and welcoming places for all students.  While our district already has a safety plan, we can push even further—to make our schools a model of safety that gives every parent, student, and teacher the confidence they deserve.

One way we can achieve this is by harnessing the power of our community.  By incorporating and expanding the Torrance Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), we can strengthen our schools’ safety networks.  CERT volunteers are community members trained to step up during emergencies—whether it’s a natural disaster, a health emergency, or any other situation.  Together, we can create a true safety net around our schools, where trained hands and caring hearts work side by side to protect our children.

Everyone in our schools—teachers, students, and staff—should feel empowered and prepared.  With more engaging, practical training, we can create a culture of readiness where everyone knows what to do, and more importantly, feels confident doing it. This isn’t just about drills; it’s about instilling a sense of security and calm in the face of uncertainty. 

Together, we can build a future where safety in our schools is not just a plan—it is a promise we deliver every day.

Maintaining a Strong Parental Partnership

As a father, I know firsthand how deeply parents care about our children’s future and the importance of our voice in shaping their education.  When parents, teachers, and the community come together, we can create the best possible environment for our children to thrive.

Parents are our children’s first teachers, and our voice matters. I will work to ensure our schools are open and transparent, where parents are welcomed as partners. I want to make it easier for families to be a larger part of the conversation. Our school system should listen to and value your input, making sure every child has what they need to succeed.

Education should inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare our kids for the future. While I will always support parental involvement in education, I also believe in maintaining a well-rounded curriculum that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. By working together, we can make sure that our schools are places where every child can grow, learn, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

As a prosecutor working to protect our children for over 15 years, I know that nothing is more important than our children’s safety and well-being.  Our schools must be safe, supportive environments where students feel protected and heard. I want to work with parents and teachers to strengthen policies that keep our children safe from bullying, mental health crises, and other risks. When children feel secure, they are free to focus on learning and growing.

I envision a district where parents are empowered, children are supported, and schools are places where every student can thrive. I am excited to work with you to build a future where all of our children are given the opportunities they deserve to succeed.

Expand the Early College Credit Program

Expanding opportunities for our students to succeed is at the heart of my vision for TUSD. The early college credit program, which has seen success as a pilot program, offers students a valuable head start on their higher education journey while still in high school. By broadening this program to all our district’s high schools, we can ensure that more students have the chance to earn college credits, reduce future tuition costs, and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce. This initiative not only benefits our students but also strengthens our community by fostering a culture of academic excellence and opportunity for all.

Increase Enrollment and Attendance

I am committed to strengthening our district by focusing on key areas that directly impact our students’ success: increasing enrollment, improving attendance, and eliminating absenteeism. By enhancing our outreach efforts and creating a welcoming environment for all families, we can attract new students to our schools. To further boost enrollment, I will work to enhance ties with the local business community, creating partnerships that offer students hands-on learning experiences, internships, and career pathways that prepare them for the future. These partnerships will not only enrich our educational programs but also highlight the value of our schools to prospective families. To ensure better attendance, I will optimize support programs that address the root causes of absenteeism and family engagement initiatives. By fostering a strong partnership between parents, teachers, and the community, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive in our schools. Together, we can strengthen our vibrant, inclusive district that sets every child on a path to success.