Beaumont USD's Newest Trustee Sworn Into Service

BEAUMONT, CA — Newly elected Board Member Dr. Lanston M. Sylvester, 59, was sworn in on Wednesday for the Beaumont Unified School District trustee area 1.

Sylvester ran on a commitment to serving the students of Beaumont and is the father of four children.

“The most important task at hand is making sure our children are prepared and given the best opportunities to succeed. Our children need to be safe at our schools; given the proper resources to advance and benefit from policies established by the School Board,” he wrote in his candidate statement.

Sylvester comes with a robust professional and educational background. He is the president and director of Lanston Sylvester Ministries and a published author.

Previously, Sylvester worked as a public school teacher, youth director, pastor, and civil service commissioner. He completed his doctorate in African-American religious studies at Andrews University and conducted doctoral work in public health at Walden University. He obtained his Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in history from Oakwood College, a historically Black institution in Huntsville, Alabama.

District Superintendent Mays Kakish spoke on working with Dr. Sylvester.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Dr. Sylvester as we continue to provide Beaumont families with exceptional learning experiences,” Kakish said.

Serving alongside Sylvester is Board President Melissa Williamson, Board Vice President Jeff Brown, Board Member Susie Lara, and Board Member David Sanchez. Information on each Board Member and upcoming Board Meetings are available on the District website.