Board Members

Board Member Dena Florez was elected to the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School Disrict at the November 2020 General Election and currently serves as the Board President of the District.  Before being elected to the Board of Education, Board Member Florez was appointed to the Bassett Unified School District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for Measure V where she served as the committee Chair.  During her two-year tenure on the committee, she took an active role in holding the district accountable on how tax-payer issued bond funds were being utilized and accounted.  Working with other committee members, she fought for stronger accountability and transparency.

Board Member Florez is a long-time resident of the Bassett community.  During her twenty-three years of residency in Bassett, she has not only dedicated her time to raising her two children alongside her husband, but she has also worked closely with the youth of the San Gabriel Valley through the AYSO soccer sports program.  As her passion for working with children increased, she decided to run for the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School District to better support the children of the community in achieving their maximum potential.  It is her mission to ensure the students of the community have the essential tools and resources that promote their academic success.

Board Member Florez is a first-generation college student who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Accounting, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) with a focus in Government Policy. She currently works at Cal State LA as the Associate Executive Director for Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), well-known on campus as the student government office. Her primary role is coaching and mentoring students as they take on the roles to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’.

Board Member Aaron Simental (he/him) was elected to the Board of Education of the Bassett Unified School District at the November 2022 General Election.  He was affirmed-into office in December of 2022 for a four-year term of service ending in 2026.

Currently, Board Member Aaron Simental is the youngest member of the Board of Education and the only Board Member to be a former K-12 student of the District - having attended Sunkist Elementary School, Torch Middle School, and Bassett High School.

Board Member Aaron Simental is a lifelong resident of the Bassett community.  After graduating from Bassett High School, Mr. Simental attended Río Hondo College, a nearby community college, before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles - the #1 public university in the United States.  At UCLA, Mr. Simental his undergraduate degree in history and public policy.  Mr. Simental is proud of his background as a first-generation, community college transfer student.

A long-time student advocate since his time as a BUSD student, Board Member Aaron Simental continued in leadership roles as a college student and member of the community. As a student leader, Mr. Simental served in the student government at Río Hondo College and UCLA in various elected and appointed roles. In the community, Mr. Simental was a co-founder of the Bassett High School Alumni Association and previously served on the Bassett USD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Measure V and served six years on the Bassett USD Personnel Commission as the CSEA Appointee — serving as chairperson of both bodies.

Board Member Aaron Simental works full-time professionally at UCLA in the fields of student affairs and human resources, in addition to his volunteer work as a progressive community leader.