Home       Biography       Priorities       Endorsements       Volunteer       Contribute       Photos Biography of George Gastil George grew up in La Mesa. His father, Gordon, is a former geology professor at SDSU. His mother, Janet Manly Gastil, is a realtor and a violin teacher. George picked up an interest in public service from his parents, both of whom have run for office. In 1981 George graduated from Grossmont High School and went off to Earlham College in Indiana. He majored in history and met his future wife, Janet, an English major from New England. Today Janet works for the San Diego County Library. She recently worked for six years as the Youth Services Librarian for the Lemon Grove branch. George earned his M.A. in History at UC Santa Barbara, where he specialized in California state and local history. He also earned a teaching credential at SDSU and taught social studies at the high school and middle school levels. George left teaching for a few years to be a full-time parent, raising his three sons while Janet worked full-time. In 1993 George accepted a part-time job with the Daily Californian, writing a weekly column about public events in Lemon Grove. "The pay was terrible but I loved the work . . . many of the people I know around town actually met me while I had that job!" George and Janet found a nice old house in Lemon Grove in 1994. George was already familiar with the Lemon Grove School District from living in Vista La Mesa, where he was a school volunteer. In 1998 George won election to the Lemon Grove School Board. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006. He is now the most experienced member of the school board. George has helped the district stay healthy through California's repeated budget crises. During his time on the board, the district has cut administrative costs in order to devote more money to classroom teaching. The district has used creative methods to get families more involved in raising student achievement. In 2000 George started teaching history at the college level. He currently teaches for Grossmont College and SDSU. George teaches American History, Western Civilization, California History, and Mexican American History. In 2002 George joined the staff of State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny. He served as the Senator's local liaison for education, health care, human services, and labor issues. In this role, George worked with many state and local elected officials in the San Diego region. George worked for the Senator for two and a half years before returning to teaching full-time. In 2004 the city put a bond on the ballot for a new library facility. George volunteered for the bond campaign and served as co-chair of the precinct effort along with Toni Shaw. The bond came up just a couple points below the 2/3 required. While serving as school board president in 2007, George brought school district and county officials together to discuss the idea of a new library to serve the schools and the community. These discussions led to a plan for a joint-use library and technology center, which is included in the current school district bond proposal. Now George wants to bring his experience to the Lemon Grove City Council. As a councilman, George will work to strengthen our community by getting residents more involved in city decision-making. Contact George Gastil georgegastil@gmail.com       (619) 465-9176       2295 McKnight Dr, Lemon Grove, CA 91945