It is my hope that Paso Roblans will entrust me, with the great responsibilty, to serve our community.
Castillo for School Board
Castillo for School Board
Leo Castillo & his story
A retired Army Veteran of 22 years, officially announced his candidacy for the Paso Robles school board in the upcoming election on November 5th. Having lived in Paso Robles for over a decade Castillo has consistently and intimately been involved in the local community. His commitment to the idea of “it takes a village” is prevalent in his actions. Having sat on non-profit boards like The Paso Robles youth arts center as a member and board president for 6 years, the boys and girls club of the central coast for 1 year, a planning commissioner for the city of Paso Robles for 2 years, and the current Veterans of Foreign wars post commander post 10965 to name a few.
After his retirement Castillo was drawn to working with the youth and thus completed his internship at Almond Acres Charter Academy. After three years he moved on to an opportunity at Camp Roberts as a Federal technician with a specialization in logistics management. Castillo has a desire to do for others and make an impact on those around him in a positive and meaningful way. Castillo is running for a seat at the table to aid a panel in an optimal way that aims to ameliorate past sufferings that were felt up until 2022. Castillo is hopeful to bring a perspective of accountability, family support, and most of all, efficiency, to construct a cohesiveness between the corpus of the district and the community to create a stronger communal body that is palpable for all Paso Robles residents. Castillo plans to emphasize community engagement to build a more transparent board for the community and to support the hardworking teachers, staff, students and families that assist in raising our youth in our small town.
Castillo has always relied on “his village” being a military man and not always having family near it has taken members of his community to help with family and beyond. In turn, these people have become family. This bittersweet fact came to fruition after the passing of his ten-year-old son Logan due to a bout with cancer three years ago. Castillo’s community rallied to support him and his family without question. This is why the spirit of “it takes a village” resonates so strongly with Castillo.
Castillo is eager, excited, and motivated to be a positive force for the community in the hope to reciprocate the kindness and aid that many members of the community showed for him and his family. It is his aspiration to have the support of all voters this coming election day as well as his pledge to do right for the small town that he loves and is proud to call home, Paso Robles.
As a member of the Boys and Girls club of the central coast he had the pleasure of focusing on supporting youth with a safe and fun after school program.
Castillo has a bonus kid and three other kids that keep him busy.
Letters of character
Castillo’s son Logan passed away from Cancer in 2021. Shortly after Castillo joined the Boys and Girls club as a member. His thought was they supported him for years and he loved it there. It just felt right to him to give back to an organization who supported his family during Logans life and even after his passing.
As a planning commissioner for two years, Castillo assisted with two major issues in Paso Robles. One was assisting with the implementation of the short term rental ordinance,working on the Chandler Olsen ranch project, and many other local city planning issues.
Castillo’s wife Carissa has been the most supportive wife, bonus mom, and partner during his time with her.
“It is with great honor that I stand behind Leo Castillo as he runs for the Paso Robles School Board. After several years of serving on a local youth board with Leo, I can attest not only to his dedication and commitment to serve, but the heart and passion that he puts into all that he does. Nothing is half done with Leo, nor will you see him taking a silent backseat. What Leo does offer is a leader who has solution-based ideas, someone that is willing to address and tackle the harder paths, and someone that is unwavering and will get things done. Leo undoubtedly represents what the community should seek in members of the school board -leadership, fidelity, candor, and someone that truly wants to make our community and school district a better place by being a part of the solution. “
Sybil Bonelli
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“I’m happy to endorse SFC (Ret.) Leo Castillo in his seeking to be elected onto the school board for Paso Robles. I’ve had the privilege of knowing SFC Castillo for a decade. I had the opportunity to work alongside him when we were both Soldiers in the CA Army National Guard and have remained friends since then. When we worked together, he was very diligent in his duties which included lots of community engagement. Much of this interface occurred with area schools and school-kid parents in efforts to combat drug use in our youth. SFC Castillo successfully built rapport with leadership from several schools and community based organizations earning him respect and admiration from community stakeholders
Personally, I have known Leo to be very driven in whatever he decides to involve himself in. Whether that be supporting the opening and success of a local restaurant or to ensure that his own children continue to thrive following devastating loss. Professionally, Leo has seamlessly used his military work ethic in the civilian sector. While at Almond Acres, he was lauded as the enforcer of standards by exemplifying and living them. He stays away from the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality and many kids and their families appreciated what he brought to bear during his tenure there.
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else as passionate about what schools are producing in our kids as Leo. He has insight into what makes families and schools thrive as well as what obstacles they face. Paso Robles needs the experience and leadership of Leo Castillo! “
SFC (Ret.) Eric R. Franco, KCSG
Proprietor/Instructor
Virtus BJJ
As Post commander for the Veterans of Foriegn Wars, Castillo has assisted with making it a point to engage the community more. The connection between the VFW and the community is impairitive for the VFWs success.
Initially Castillo was recruited to be apart of the Paso Robles Youth Foundation (now known as the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center) for 4 years then finished his term as board president for the remaining two years there. His passsion for supporting the youth has been prevelant for many years and in more ways than one.
November 5th get out to the polls &