Our Leadership
Our Board
Grow Public Schools Board of Directors
A talented and experienced group of professionals comprise Grow Public Schools’ Board of Directors.
With a strong commitment to the specific needs of the communities we serve, our board includes a community member and parent to represent each area where our schools are located.
Board meetings are open to the public. For information on how to participate, please reach out to Michelle Lumis.
Board of Trustees
Tom Mestmaker
Board President
Matt Look
SPGA Parent Representative
Ernie Unruh
KCSOS Representative
Dr. Jean Fuller
Grimm Family Education
Foundation Representative
Manuel Pantoja
Arvin Community Representative
Our Team
In 2011, the Grimm Family Education Foundation was founded, with the goal of identifying and implementing opportunities to improve student achievement, wellness and opportunity in Kern County.
Adam Alvidrez
Director of School Operations
Ricardo Esquivel
Chief of Schools
Monica Jara Guerra
Director of Community
Initiatives
Eric Mendez
Human Resources Manager
Stephanie Sanchez
Human Resources Generalist
Anaiza Prado
Recruitment Specialist
Elizabeth Ramos
Operations Specialist
Michelle Lumis
Executive Assistant
Rick Phillips
Operations Specialist
Afaf Aldhulay
Communications & Branding Manager
Partners
Grow Public Schools will continue to collaborate with other like-minded, reform-oriented non-profits, private companies, and traditional school districts to maximize our collective impact.
The Grimm Family Education Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Bakersfield, California. Working with students, teachers, and parents, the Foundation supports initiatives to improve education and community wellness in Kern County.
We partner closely with the following organizations to provide high-quality academic, back-office management, and health and wellness services for our students:
Edible Schoolyard Kern County is modeled after the pioneering work of Alice Waters and the Edible Schoolyard Project in Berkeley, California. The Grimm Family Education Foundation created the ESY Kern County programs to encourage children in their discovery and development of a healthy relationship with the food they eat.