CVUSD trustee speaks out after being accused of living out of her district

The countdown is on for a special election for the CVUSD board of trustees. Questions loom around one candidate's residence and if she's living in the area she was elected to represent.

It started with a report from Cindy Uken, bringing awareness to a new home recently purchased by Jocelyn Vargas in Indio.

The map shows CVUSD's district boundaries, it shows Vargas who represents Area 4, which is within the Mecca area.

News Channel 3 was able to verify the purchase and title of the home, Vargas bought the home over a week ago, on January 18.

Adrian Rodriguez, CVUSD Trustee candidate for Area 4, sent us a statement:

“I am calling on School Board Vice President Jocelyn Vargas to immediately resign from her position at Coachella Valley Unified School District and withdraw from the March 4, 2025, Special Election. Recent evidence reported by the Uken Report reveals that she has established her primary residency outside of Area 4 and even beyond the school district's boundaries.”

We talked to Vargas on the phone, she tells us that she currently lives in her current home in Mecca with her family. "I purchased the home down the line maybe, perhaps I might move but really right now I am a resident in my district and I plan to continue to serve, as much as I'm able to," Vargas said.

She is seeking re-election in the March 4 special election.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information on this developing story.