Jerry Rindone

His first elected office was as President of Candy Cane Lane at the age of 10. Since then, Jerry Rindone has dedicated his life to public service as an educator, elected official and community leader. After graduating from Chula Vista High School and receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at San Diego State University, Jerry began teaching high school in his home town, Chula Vista. As Assistant Superintendent for Adult Education, Jerry doubled the size of the program and received a visit from the United States Secretary of Education. From 1997-2007, Jerry served as Principal at Hilltop High School where he was named “Principal of the Year” in 1999 , and “Outstanding Administrator of the Year” in 2002 and 2006. Under Jerry’s leadership, Hilltop High School achieved the coveted designation of “California Distinguished High School” in 2005 and won three straight San Diego Academic Decathlons.

Jerry’s leadership and administrative skills led him to a life of engagement with his local government. After serving on the City Parks and Recreation Commission and the Chula Vista Library Board of Trustees, Jerry was elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1990, and was re-elected in 1994. In 2000, seeing his city in need of experienced leadership, Jerry was elected to serve two additional terms on the Chula Vista City Council, where he served as the representative to the SANDAG Transportation Committee, served as Vice-Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit System, Chairman of the MTS Budget Development Committee, and played a key role in strengthening the relationship between schools and local government. His 16 years on the City Council is the longest in city history and longer than the combined terms of his opponents.

Jerry completed his term as an elected member of the San Diego County Board of Education in 2012, where he continued his passion for improving the quality of education in San Diego. As a leader on the Board, Jerry utilized public-private partnerships with local businesses to fund the countywide Academic Decathlon Program for the San Diego County Office of Education. He is a leader in gaining community and business support in order to make up for the constant cuts to education funding.

Jerry also served as President the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, President of the “Laurels for Leaders” Scholarship Program, serves on the Crime Prevention Committee, the Scripps Hospital Board, and the American Cancer Society, was a charter member of the Chula Vista Historical Society and a founding member of the Chula Vista High School Foundation.