01
Every student
Every student
can flourish
Support academic, social, and emotional growth so every learner has access to opportunity.
Student growthSaddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Area 5
Believe in
SVUSD
Every child deserves an outstanding education. Every family deserves to be heard. Every decision should put students first.
Parent. Educator. Proven leader.
Measured leadership. Lasting opportunity.
A high-quality public education can change the trajectory of a family’s future. Every school board decision should put students first by listening to families, partnering with educators, and making thoughtful decisions that strengthen our schools.
As a first-generation college graduate, Edgar knows that power firsthand—and has spent more than 23 years helping students, families, and educators turn possibility into progress.
Longtime Rancho Santa Margarita residents · Proud SVUSD family
A personal stake
A parent who knows our schools.
Edgar and his wife, a middle school counselor, are raising two children in SVUSD schools. He understands that every board decision reaches beyond a meeting room—it shapes classrooms, families, and a child’s confidence in what is possible.
“Strong schools are built through trust, respect, and thoughtful leadership.”
The work ahead
Priorities built
for the long road.
Edgar’s approach is grounded in listening, informed decision-making, and a belief that strong schools are built through trust, respect, and thoughtful leadership.
02
Families and
Families and
educators heard
Listen with care, elevate student voice, and build decisions with the people closest to our schools.
Community voice
03
Thoughtful,
Thoughtful,
future-ready leadership
Bring experience, collaboration, and continuous improvement to the complex choices ahead.
Responsible leadershipPrepared to serve
Experience with
measurable reach.
A nationally recognized education leader focused on better outcomes for students.
Years serving students, families, and educators
California counties supported through statewide initiatives focused on the whole child
College, university, and workforce partnerships created
College access network directed across California
Rooted here
A parent, neighbor, and advocate for public education.
Edgar is a longtime Rancho Santa Margarita resident and proud parent of two children attending SVUSD schools. Raised in a family of educators and married to a middle school counselor, he understands the opportunities and challenges facing today’s students, families, and educators.
His career has included service as a college admission counselor, school counselor, director of college counseling, nonprofit executive, statewide systems leader, and national education director. He also serves as an executive board member for a youth leadership program.
Edgar earned a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.
Standing with educators
“I believe
in teachers.”
The son of a teacher and the husband of a school counselor, Edgar has seen the visible and invisible work educators carry every day. At the May 2026 SVUSD Board meeting, he thanked teachers for creating classrooms where students feel seen, safe, challenged, and inspired.
Trust & communication
Responsibility & accountability
Curiosity & deep listening
Watch Edgar’s remarks
Teacher appreciation remarks begin around 1:37 in the recording.
How Edgar leads
Listen. Learn. Lead.
Thoughtful leadership begins with the people closest to our schools.
Listen deeply
Make space for students, families, teachers, and staff to be heard with respect.
Learn together
Ask thoughtful questions, study the evidence, and understand the full impact of each choice.
Lead responsibly
Act with transparency, accountability, and an unwavering focus on what students need most.
Community voices
I believe…
Strong schools begin with listening. Share what you believe would help every student, family, and educator thrive in our community.
For example “I believe we should have better traffic control around our schools.”
Community endorsements
Voices of support
Believe every student deserves the chance to thrive? Add your voice to the campaign.
Stay connected
Believe in better
with us.
Sign up for campaign news, events, and ways to get involved in Trustee Area 5.
One last endorsement
I’m paw-sitively voting for Dr. Edgar Montes!
Approved by Mr. Coco Montes (17-year-old RSM resident)