Cary C. Chen
CA · President, Rowland Unified School District Board of Education
Cary C. Chen has served on the Rowland Unified board for about 16 years, including four terms as president. A geophysicist who worked for UNOCAL and later founded a local business, he says his focus is student success, safety, and well-being.
Where Cary C. Chen stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Public Safety and Crime Control (4 records), Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (3 records),
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (4 support · 7 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Voted on July 30, 2026 to eliminate four education-management positions and create two chief roles. The superintendent projected about $451,000 in annual savings from the restructuring. Each motion passed 5–0.
July 30, 2026Supports Government Efficiency
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 4 support · 7 oppose
Voted on July 30, 2026 to eliminate four education-management positions and create two chief roles. The superintendent projected about $451,000 in annual savings from the restructuring. Each motion passed 5–0.
July 30, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on March 12, 2026 to implement a classified-staff retirement plan and accept 64 enrolled resignations. The action authorized up to $2,235,295 in five annual installments. Savings depended on replacement staffing.
March 12, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on February 26, 2026 for classified employees’ final pay settlement. It provided 2.5% ongoing raises and one-time 2% payments. The agreement set annual health benefits at $16,000 for 2026 and $19,000 for 2027, up from $15,000.
February 26, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on January 22, 2026 for pay increases covering management outside the cabinet, supervisory staff, playground aides and contracted adult-school staff. The agreement provided ongoing 2.5% raises, one-time 2% payments and increased health benefits.
January 22, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on November 20, 2025 for the educator successor agreement. It provided 2.5% ongoing raises and one-time 2% payments. It also raised specialist and nurse pay and extended nurses’ work year from 185 to 190 days.
November 20, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 12, 2025 to adopt a budget with $241.6 million in General Fund spending and $233.8 million in revenue. It projected a $7.8 million deficit. Planned spending was 2% below the prior year’s estimated actual spending.
June 12, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: 4.files.edl.io
Voted on November 14, 2024 to authorize up to $78.5 million in bonds refinancing 2015 school debt. The resolution required lower combined principal and net interest costs than the debt replaced.
November 14, 2024Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on May 9, 2024 to authorize up to $16 million in bonds refinancing 2013 school debt. The resolution required lower combined principal and net interest costs than the debt replaced.
May 9, 2024Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 9, 2024 to authorize up to $40.8 million in new Measure R school bonds. The borrowing covered school-facility acquisition and improvements, including classrooms and science and technology facilities.
May 9, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on November 9, 2023 for educator and unrepresented-staff pay agreements. Both provided ongoing 8.5% raises and one-time 5% payments. The educator agreement passed 5–0; the unrepresented agreement passed 4–1.
November 9, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on December 5, 2022 to raise minimum hourly pay to $15.50 for recreation staff, student assistants and professional experts. The revised schedules took effect January 1, 2023.
December 5, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 4 support
Voted on August 20, 2026 to create a districtwide safety and security director position. Duties included campus patrol, threat assessment, emergency preparation and police coordination. It passed 5–0.
August 20, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on July 30, 2026 to renew school-resource deputy services at Rowland and Nogales high schools. The agreement provided sheriff’s law-enforcement and security services, capped at $535,000.
July 30, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised adult-student boundaries. The policy barred sexual or romantic conduct, improper private contact and disappearing-message communications. It required investigation of reported violations and prohibited retaliation.
April 9, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on February 5, 2026 for revised child-abuse reporting safeguards. The policy required mandated-reporting training and hotline information on identification cards for grades 7–12.
February 5, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 3 support
Voted on June 25, 2026 to revise student-device rules. TK–8 devices stayed off or silent and out of sight, with supervised-use exceptions. High-school restrictions applied during instruction. The policy preserved emergency, medical and disability exceptions and limited device searches.
June 25, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised student speech and press protections. The policy limited censorship and required documented safety or substantial-disruption grounds for off-campus speech discipline.
April 9, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised suspension and expulsion safeguards. The policy generally required other correction first, with serious-offense and danger exceptions. It preserved hearing and appeal rights and limits on attendance and defiance discipline.
April 9, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Public Education Quality
Public Education Quality · 32 support
Voted on August 20, 2026 to join California State University’s direct-admission program. The agreement established academic-eligibility identification and admission notices for participating campuses. The vote was 4–0, with one recusal.
August 20, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on August 20, 2026 to adopt Unified Physical Education. The course joined students with extensive support needs and nondisabled students in physical activities and social inclusion. It passed 5–0.
August 20, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on July 30, 2026 for English-learner support at three school sites. The agreement covered K–8 language development, hands-on learning and family engagement, capped at $31,500.
July 30, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 25, 2026 to adopt Chemistry in the Earth System with Ethnic Studies and Advanced Yearbook.
June 25, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 25, 2026 to revise student-device rules. TK–8 devices stayed off or silent and out of sight, with supervised-use exceptions. High-school restrictions applied during instruction. The policy preserved emergency, medical and disability exceptions and limited device searches.
June 25, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 2, 2026 to adopt English 10 Ethnic Studies, AP Seminar, Introduction to Criminology, Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to Child Psychology.
June 2, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 2, 2026 to renew iQ Academy California–Los Angeles’s charter through June 30, 2031. He also supported its November 2025 approval stage.
June 2, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 14, 2026 for a Mt. San Antonio College dual-enrollment agreement. It granted high-school graduation and college credit for enrolled courses. It made district teachers hired by the college eligible to serve as instructors.
May 14, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted for and signed an April 9, 2026 resolution supporting permanent extension of higher-income taxes for public schools. The resolution cited school funding, smaller classes and after-school programs. It passed 5–0.
April 9, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: 4.files.edl.io
Voted on April 9, 2026 to adopt engineering, architecture, AP chemistry and AP biology courses. He also supported English 10 Honors Ethnic Studies, Weight Training 2, Court Sports and Yoga.
April 9, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised homeless-student protections. The policy removed enrollment barriers, prohibited segregation and protected comparable program access. Sharing students’ living-situation records required written consent.
April 9, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised foster-youth education protections. The policy covered full program access, school-placement decisions, enrollment support and annual reporting on student outcomes.
April 9, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on March 12, 2026 for a community-college workforce agreement. It authorized student and program data reporting for career-pathway alignment, outcome tracking and grant compliance.
March 12, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on December 11, 2025 for California College Guidance Initiative integration. The agreement authorized student-data links with college and financial-aid tools, training and technical assistance through June 2028.
December 11, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on December 11, 2025 for an adult-education partnership with East San Gabriel Valley Job Center. It covered basic skills, workforce training and career services through June 2028.
December 11, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on August 14, 2025 for an Educational Results Partnership agreement. It authorized a tool translating academic performance into skills information for student career planning.
August 14, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on June 12, 2025 to adopt high-school Mariachi Ensemble. The approval included instruments and a textbook, with up to $26,050 from the General Fund.
June 12, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on June 12, 2025 to adopt the Architecture 3 capstone. He also voted for Design Visual Media Arts 4, a visual and entertainment pathway capstone.
June 12, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on June 3, 2025 to adopt accelerated seventh-grade mathematics. He also supported Heritage Spanish 3.
June 3, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on May 8, 2025 to adopt Career Technical Education Senior Seminar. He also supported Psychology, AP Economics, AP Physics and Cybersecurity 3.
May 8, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 8, 2025 for revised independent-study safeguards. The policy required voluntary participation, credentialed oversight, learning agreements and progress support. Students retained return-to-class rights within five school days.
May 8, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on April 10, 2025 for elementary English-language-arts adoption. He also supported secondary English-language arts and Transition to Algebra.
April 10, 2025Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on November 14, 2024 to raise developer fees for school construction and reconstruction. The supporting study cited maximum rates of $5.17 per residential square foot and $0.84 for commercial space.
November 14, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on September 12, 2024 for a school-food-service pre-apprenticeship partnership. The agreement covered online instruction and hands-on food-service and food-safety training for college students and school-food workers.
September 12, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 9, 2024 to authorize up to $40.8 million in new Measure R school bonds. The borrowing covered school-facility acquisition and improvements, including classrooms and science and technology facilities.
May 9, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 9, 2024 for Nogales High’s aquatics and band-building construction contract. The project replaced the pool and support buildings and added band, choir, locker and spectator facilities.
May 9, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on April 11, 2024 for Culinary Arts 1 and 2, covering food, nutrition and food-service management. He seconded and supported Cybersecurity 2, including certification-aligned and hands-on career training.
April 11, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on August 17, 2023 for outdoor learning and dining solar-shade project revisions. The changes added concrete pads, layout revisions and accessibility upgrades, raising the contract ceiling to $12,773,000.
August 17, 2023Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on July 27, 2023 to ratify Cotsen Foundation’s third-year teaching grant for Ybarra Academy. The ratified agreement covered coaching and mentoring during 2022–23.
July 27, 2023Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on April 13, 2023 for a health curriculum adoption. He supported language, theater, AP precalculus, game-design, cybersecurity, science and elementary social-studies adoptions at the same meeting.
April 13, 2023Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on January 19, 2023 for a Digital Promise partnership to design a grades 9–12 cybersecurity pathway and certification. The agreement required a staff, student, parent and community design team.
January 19, 2023Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on July 21, 2022 to approve a TK–6 expanded-learning plan. It covered before-school, after-school and summer enrichment, nutrition and combined nine-hour days, targeting pupils with greater needs.
July 21, 2022Supports Public Education Quality
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Data Privacy
Data Privacy · 3 support
Voted on June 25, 2026 to revise student-device rules. TK–8 devices stayed off or silent and out of sight, with supervised-use exceptions. High-school restrictions applied during instruction. The policy preserved emergency, medical and disability exceptions and limited device searches.
June 25, 2026Supports Data Privacy
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised homeless-student protections. The policy removed enrollment barriers, prohibited segregation and protected comparable program access. Sharing students’ living-situation records required written consent.
April 9, 2026Supports Data Privacy
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on March 13, 2025 for a mental-health billing data agreement. The agreement required HIPAA and FERPA safeguards for student information shared through Healthy Campus and Carelon.
March 13, 2025Supports Data Privacy
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 2 support
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised homeless-student protections. The policy removed enrollment barriers, prohibited segregation and protected comparable program access. Sharing students’ living-situation records required written consent.
April 9, 2026Supports Civil Rights
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Joined a statement opposing draft congressional maps over concerns about diluted San Gabriel Valley Asian American representation. Its signatory list included him as of December 15, 2021.
December 15, 2021Supports Civil Rights
Source: causeusa.squarespace.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 7 support
Seconded and voted on November 14, 2024 to raise developer fees for school construction and reconstruction. The supporting study cited maximum rates of $5.17 per residential square foot and $0.84 for commercial space.
November 14, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Moved and voted on June 3, 2024 for heating, cooling and lighting upgrades. The $9,478,987 contract covered ventilation-system modernization, evaporative cooling, industrial fans and LED sports lighting.
June 3, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 9, 2024 to authorize up to $40.8 million in new Measure R school bonds. The borrowing covered school-facility acquisition and improvements, including classrooms and science and technology facilities.
May 9, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 9, 2024 for Nogales High’s aquatics and band-building construction contract. The project replaced the pool and support buildings and added band, choir, locker and spectator facilities.
May 9, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on October 12, 2023 for ventilation assessments and adjustments covering about 916 air-handling units. The grant-funded study ceiling was $1,116,000. The procurement excluded equipment replacement, physical repairs and filter installation.
October 12, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: rowlandschools.org
Seconded and voted on August 17, 2023 for outdoor learning and dining solar-shade project revisions. The changes added concrete pads, layout revisions and accessibility upgrades, raising the contract ceiling to $12,773,000.
August 17, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on January 19, 2023 for an amended purchase of ten electric school buses, capped at $3,621,800. An existing state grant provided $3,296,270 in reimbursement.
January 19, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Track record — General
General · 33 records
Volunteered as a driver for Rowland Elementary, Alvarado and Rowland High from 1994 through 2003. The district documented this service in its biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Served two executive-board terms with the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools. The district documented this background in its biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Served as principal of Hacienda Heights Area Chinese School and directed a K–8 after-school and summer program. These roles appeared in his undated district biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Endorsed Kevin Hayakawa’s 2026 reelection to Rowland Unified’s Trustee Area 5 seat, as reported October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rafu.com
Managed international corporate operations from 1991 through 1995, according to his undated district biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Founded and operated a contract-furniture company beginning in 1995, according to his undated district biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Served as president of the Southern California Society of International Trade. The district documented this background in its biography reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Worked as a geophysicist for Western Geophysical and UNOCAL from 1978 through 1991. This history appeared in his undated district biography, reviewed October 23, 2026.
October 23, 2026
Source: rowlandschools.org
Managed a private school on a public-school campus with more than 100 students and 20 staff. An August 25, 2026 interview documented this earlier work.
August 25, 2026
Source: worldjournal.com
Voted for and signed an April 9, 2026 resolution opposing Industry’s data-center development without comprehensive environmental review and meaningful mitigation. The resolution passed 5–0.
April 9, 2026
Source: 4.files.edl.io
Voted on April 9, 2026 for revised conflict-of-interest rules. The rules required financial disclosures and disqualification for conflicting interests. They also required disclosures and recusals for campaign contributions above $500, subject to legal exceptions.
April 9, 2026
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Reported on January 22, 2026 that he had coordinated a community homeless count with 24 other volunteers. The group reported data to the county for funding allocation.
January 22, 2026
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on November 20, 2025 for a Daybreak Medical partnership expanding access to school-based mental-health care. The agreement covered students and families through June 2028 without added district cost.
November 20, 2025
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on November 20, 2025 for district participation in Medi-Cal billing for eligible student health services. The agreement covered reimbursement for services such as nursing, counseling and therapy during 2026–27.
November 20, 2025
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Seconded and voted on September 11, 2025 for classified employees’ health-coverage transition from CalPERS to ASCIP. The agreement set January 1, 2026 as the transition date after market review and a member ballot.
September 11, 2025
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on August 14, 2025 for firewall and data-backup upgrades. The agreements addressed unauthorized network access, cyber threats and recovery from system failures. Their ceilings were $229,915 and $326,175 for September 2025 through August 2028.
August 14, 2025
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Signed a March 18, 2024 community-council letter supporting Chubby Cattle restaurant’s permit for alcohol sales.
March 18, 2024
Source: lacdrp.legistar.com
Signed a January 1, 2024 community-council letter challenging Royal Vista’s environmental review. He raised traffic, parking, open-space and cumulative-impact concerns and requested a park-funding report.
January 1, 2024
Source: lacdrp.legistar.com
Moved and voted on December 14, 2023 to continue live streaming bond-oversight committee meetings. The motion required website recordings to remain available for at least six months.
December 14, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on October 12, 2023 for county-funded oral-health screening and prevention for kindergarten and other first-year pupils. The agreement prioritized eight schools and ran through May 2024.
October 12, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Reported on September 14, 2023 that he taught Spanish in his after-school program.
September 14, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on September 14, 2023 to lower the adult high-school diploma requirement from 205 to 160 credits. The change began in the 2023–24 school year.
September 14, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on July 27, 2023 for county welfare-data sharing to certify students for free and reduced-price meals. The signed agreement authorized confidential information sharing for that purpose.
July 27, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Signed a July 17, 2023 letter supporting conservation zoning for Aera lands in the Puente–Chino Hills wildlife corridor. He repeated the request in January 2024 as community-council president.
July 17, 2023
Source: lacdrp.legistar.com
Voted on June 5, 2023 for five Family Resource Center counseling agreements. They established expedited intake for individual, family and group counseling at home, school or agency offices.
June 5, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on May 11, 2023 for a Baby2Baby donation agreement. The agreement covered school materials, hygiene supplies, clothing and essential baby gear for the Family Resource Center through June 2025.
May 11, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on March 9, 2023 for a Hazel Health partnership covering virtual therapy at school or home. The agreement offered child and teen therapy at no family cost through December 2024.
March 9, 2023
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Recounted his earlier service in Taiwan’s military at the November 10, 2022 school-board meeting.
November 10, 2022
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Voted on October 13, 2022 to approve school medication rules supporting quicker access to opioid-overdose treatment. The superintendent identified naloxone nasal spray for fentanyl emergencies.
October 13, 2022
Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Received the Rowland teachers union’s endorsement for his 2022 school-board reelection. The union announced its endorsement on September 23, 2022.
September 23, 2022
Source: tw.news.yahoo.com
Submitted written comments on April 6, 2021 supporting Los Angeles County’s Asian American and Pacific Islander anti-hate workgroup initiative.
April 6, 2021
Source: file.lacounty.gov
Traveled to China with local school officials to learn firsthand about its education system. A report published November 2, 2017 documented the visit.
November 2, 2017
Source: peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn
Endorsed Phillip Chen for California Assembly in 2014. A public-library board packet dated March 17, 2014 documented the endorsement.
March 17, 2014
Source: placentialibrarydistrict.ca.gov
Past race Cary C. Chen ran in:
- Rowland Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 3 · November 3, 2026 · Rowland Unified School District Trustee Area 3 · incumbent