Colleen Zern
For DJUSD
Trustee Area 1 (West Davis)
Parent. Attorney. UCD Lecturer.
Transparency, Accountability & Collaboration
Together, we can do better!
Meet Colleen
A Parent of Current DJUSD Students
My husband and I have 3 boys in West Davis schools. Our family moved to West Davis to be within walking distance of Patwin. Living near our schools has allowed us to build lasting relationships with neighbors, students, and families, and has deepened our connection to the community.
An Attorney and UC Davis Lecturer
For more than a decade, I have worked as an attorney researching complex legal issues. I also teach undergraduates at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. My work has reinforced the importance of asking thoughtful questions, evaluating facts objectively, and communicating clearly—skills that are essential when making decisions that affect an entire community.
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A Committed Volunteer
I have served in several leadership roles with the PTA and Site Council, including President, Treasurer, and Fundraising Co-Chair. I volunteer in my youngest child's classroom 2.5 hours a week and have coached my kids in basketball, baseball, and soccer.
A Few Fun Facts
Our family loves road trips. We have a goal of visiting every U.S. National Park and every Major League Baseball ballpark before our youngest graduates from high school.Â
I am an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. You can often find our family cheering on our favorite teams at sporting events.
Why I'm Running
My family loves Davis, our teachers, and the wonderful school communities that make DJUSD so special. I am running because I believe our community deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and informed by meaningful community input. I believe we can do better - better for every learner, better for the educators and staff who show up every day for our kids, better decisions, and better outcomes.  Â
Transparency
Openness and transparency are how public institutions earn—and maintain—the trust of the communities they serve. Transparency means making information accessible, explaining how decisions are reached, and helping community members understand complex issues before votes are taken.
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I will communicate regularly with constituents, explain my reasoning on important decisions, encourage early and meaningful public engagement, and advocate for making district information more accessible and easier for families to understand.Â
Accountability
Effective school board oversight requires fully understanding the issues, evaluating the available information, and making informed decisions. Trust is built by openly asking difficult questions, considering different viewpoints, explaining decisions and reasons honestly, and remaining accountable to the community.
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I will use data from DJUSD and comparable districts to guide important decisions. Whether we are discussing budgets, technology, facilities, or academic programs, student outcomes should remain at the center of every discussion.
Collaboration
Community trust is built when community members feel they have meaningful opportunities to provide input and ask questions before major decisions are made.
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I am committed to listening, learning, and bringing people together to solve difficult problems. I know that the best decisions come from listening to a wide range of perspectives, and I look forward to continuing conversations with teachers, staff, students, parents, and residents about their priorities for our schools.
