Candidates have declared intentions to run for office in every
San Benito County school district with a week before the first
filing deadline, while some of those races still lack
competition.
Candidates have declared intentions to run for office in every San Benito County school district with a week before the first filing deadline, while some of those races still lack competition.
Candidates have until Aug. 6, or next Friday, to file paperwork in running for open school board seats. If an incumbent does not run, though, that deadline extends until Aug. 11.
In the Hollister School District, there are three open seats. Just one incumbent, Bea Gonzales-Ramirez, has filed for reelection to this point. The challengers include Lupe Navarro, a retired fiscal manager; Elsa Rodriguez; a retired teacher; and Joe Navarro, a retired teacher, according to elections office records.
In the San Benito High School District, there are three open seats. Two incumbents, Steve De Lay and Mary Encinias, have declared candidacy. Challenger Tim Shellito, a retired principal, is running as well.
For the Gavilan Community College District’s San Benito County area, there are two open seats. Both incumbents, Elvira Zaragoza Robinson and Kent Child, have declared candidacy. Challengers include Anthony Ruiz, a retired faculty member at the school, and Stelvio Lucci, an instructor/counselor.
Over in the North County Joint Union District, two seats are open. Both incumbents have filed so far. They include Cindy King and Rodney Bianchi.
For the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, three seats are open. Incumbent Lou Fiori has filed. So far he is joined by Bill Hunter, who lists himself as a parent.
In the Southside School District, three seats are open. All three incumbents – Jeanne Liam, Scott Gilbert and Bob Tiffany – are running again. They will be joined by challenger Wallace Jones, a retired corporate manager.
In the Bitterwater-Tully School District, there are four open seats. Incumbent Lynn Dodge has declared candidacy.
In the Cienega School District, three seats are open. Two residents have filed, incumbents Sharon Rogers and James Gabel.
In the Jefferson School District, three seats are open. Incumbent David Reikowski and appointed incumbent Debbie Cardoza have declared.
The Panoche district has two openings, and so far incumbent Gardiner Hammond has filed.
In the Tres Pinos district, there are three openings. Appointed incumbent Tamara Biechman is the only resident to declare.
Willow Grove has two openings. One resident, Sandy Patterson, has filed. She lists herself as a community volunteer and parent.
