Sharmane Estolano - 50 Year CVESD Resident, Parent, Business and Civic Leader
About Me - Sharmane Estolano, CLPF
My background
My name is Sharmane Estolano, and I am seeking a position on the School Board.
Firstly, I am a proud mother of three grown children who all attended elementary school
in the CVESD and went on to attend and graduate from Bonita Vista High School.
I am also a grandmother to my two young granddaughters.
About Me:
I have a long-standing connection to Chula Vista, where my family has lived since 1975.
Growing up on Melrose Avenue, I attended Kellogg Elementary, Hilltop Junior High, and Hilltop High School.
After graduating from Palomar High School, I pursued higher education at Southwestern College,
where I earned an associate degree, and then at National University, where I received my bachelor’s degree.
In 1987, I married and managed to raise a family while earning my degrees and building a successful career in banking.
I worked my way up to Vice President and Branch Manager, gaining valuable leadership and management experience.
In 1994, my husband and I opened Café de Café, the first coffeehouse in the Bonita Vons shopping center,
which we operated until 2000. Afterward, I returned to my career in retail and commercial banking until 2016
and then became a Real Estate Broker and California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (CLPF),
all while remaining deeply involved in our community.
Why I’m Running:
With my grandchildren on the cusp of entering the elementary school system,
my interest and involvement in elementary education has been renewed.
My passion for community service drives my desire to serve on the School Board.
With my extensive background in both professional and civic roles,
I bring a unique perspective that blends leadership,
strategic planning, and a deep understanding of our local community.
My experience navigating complex systems and
building strong relationships will enable me to advocate
effectively for students, parents, and educators.
In November 2022, after 27 years of residing in Bonita,
I became a resident of District 4 in Chula Vista and I am eager to use my skills
and experience to make a positive impact to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
My Top Issues
- Test Scores are Down
- Absenteeism is Up
- Enrollment is Down
- Parental Rights - Are they fair to the Parents?
- Curriculum - Is it appropriate?
My Involvement
Civic and Community Volunteerism
As a parent, I actively engaged with the schools my children attended, including Tiffany Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle School, and Bonita Vista High School.
I have had the privilege of volunteering with numerous organizations, including the Border View YMCA, the Japan Society of San Diego, the San Ysidro Vanguard Education Foundation, and the Leonardo Da Vinci School of Health Sciences.
In recent years, I have continued my civic engagement by serving as current Vice President of the
Sweetwater Valley Civic Association
and Seat 15 on the board of the Sweetwater Planning Group.
I am also an active member of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, founding member of Save Sweetwater Reservoir and was a candidate for the Chula Vista Planning Commission in 2023 and City Council in 2024.
Socially, I am an active member and volunteer of the Sons of Norway, Ladies of Valhall, and House of Norway of Balboa Park, and have served as the
San Diego Blood Drive representative since 2020.