The application process for the November school board elections
began Monday, and five interested candidates have already visited
the elections office to begin the campaign process.
The application process for the November school board elections began Monday, and five interested candidates have already visited the elections office to begin the campaign process.
There are 24 board positions throughout the county up for re-election, and residents, who live within the district they would like to represent, have until Aug. 6 to apply. Lillian Pereira, assistant county clerk and recorder, has been going over the election process with school board candidates for years, and said the numbers of potential candidates fluctuates.
“It usually depends if something controversial is going on,” she said.
Those interested must fill out the appropriate paper work distributed by the county elections office, then meet with Pereira and put together a written candidate statement and pay a fee. The County Office of Education held an informational meeting June 15, where potential candidates met and discussed the commitment and expectations of the job with past and present board members. County Superintendent of schools Tim Foley said there was quite a few interested people that attended the meeting.
“I think it was quite a success,” he said. “A lot of the past board members were there to share the level of commitment it takes to be on a board.”
The two largest school districts in the county, San Benito High School District (SBHSD) and Hollister School District (HSD), both have two openings, and many of the smaller districts like Tres Pinos and Panoche also have vacant seats.
Lisa Tobias, president of the Tres Pinos Union School District, believes elections for all districts, big or small are the same, but that they tend to draw people with different agendas.
“With the larger districts you have a bigger pool of people that may run and for some it’s a political stepping stone, whereas in our district, we tend to have people run who have children at the school.”
Both SBHSD and HSD have one board member who is not running for re-election.
HSD trustee Carol Cochran will not run for re-election, and SBHSD trustee Stephen Hailstone will also not campaign for another term.
Judith Barranti, superintendent of HSD, said she hopes those interested in running for the HSD board have the greater good of the students on their minds.
“First and foremost, we would like someone who wants to provide the very best education for the students of Hollister School District,” she said.
SBHSD Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said she hopes community members who are looking at the big picture of the school will apply.
“I really want to encourage those who want what’s in the best interest of the entire school to apply, and not just special interests,” she said.
For more information about applying, contact the county elections office at 636-4160.
