Antioch Unified School District | John Swett Unified School District Governing Board Member | Mt. Diablo Unified School District Governing Board Member, Area 2 | Mt. Diablo Unified School District Governing Board Member, Area 4 | San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Governing Board Member, Area 5 | Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 3
Brentwood Union School District, Governing Board Member | Knightsen Elementary School District, Governing Board Member | Oakley Union Elementary School District, Governing Board Member, Area 4 | Orinda Union School District, Governing Board Member | Walnut Creek School District Governing Board Member
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Sarah Genn Butler, Governing Board Member, Contra Costa County Board of Education, Area 2
- No response received.
Sibyl Minighini, School Psychologist
- No response received.
Pamela West, Small Business Owner
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Brandon Dawkins, Health Worker/Organizer
- “If elected, my top priority will be school safety.”
Mary H Rocha, Antioch Unified School District Board Member
- “Student Academic Achievement, our job as trustees is to make sure each student path for a productive.”
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- DawkinsSupport
- RochaSupport
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- DawkinsOppose
- RochaSupport
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- DawkinsOppose
- RochaSupport
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- DawkinsOppose
- RochaOppose
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- DawkinsSupport
- RochaSupport
Top two candidates win seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Teresa Jane Burk
- No response received.
Bruce Hoeger, Equity Investor
- No response received.
Shane Reinhart, Retired Teacher
- No response received.
Deborah Anne Brandon, Incumbent
- No response received.
Samantha Watson-Alvarado, Parent/Family Therapist
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Linda Mayo, Appointed in lieu/Incumbent
- “Clear, transparent communication and responsible, accountable use of district resources.”
Dorothy Weisenberger, Family Support Specialist
- “Improved transparency and communication, Support for All Students, Professional Development”
Jane Baulch-Enloe, Retired Teacher
- “Trust, Transparency, Honesty”
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- MayoNo response
- Baulch-EnloeSupport
- WeisenbergerSupport
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- MayoNo response
- Baulch-EnloeOppose
- WeisenbergerOppose
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- MayoNo response
- Baulch-EnloeOppose
- WeisenbergerSupport
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- MayoNo response
- Baulch-EnloeOppose
- WeisenbergerSupport
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- MayoNo response
- Baulch-EnloeOppose
- WeisenbergerNo response
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Brian Thomas Lawrence, Coach/Appointed trustee
- No response received.
Al Anderson, Proposal Manager
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Rachel Hurd, Incumbent
- No response received.
Joel Woods, Educator/Teacher/ Referee
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat. Includes votes from Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Angela M. Brady, Parent/Data Analyst
- “Transparency: Clear, accessible communication about board decisions, spending, policies, and goals.”
Deborah Gibson, Retired Teacher
- No response received.
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- BradySupport
- GibsonNo response
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- BradyOppose
- GibsonNo response
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- BradySupport
- GibsonNo response
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- BradyOppose
- GibsonNo response
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- BradyOppose
- GibsonNo response
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Stacey Schweppe, Appointed Board Member, Acalanes Union High School District
- No response received.
Nithin Iyengar, Education Nonprofit Executive
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Tamara Weber, Incumbent
- “Continuing the work of expanding student access to advanced coursework and CTE pathways.”
Hillary Fairbairn Pedrotti, Retired English Teacher
- No response received.
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- WeberSupport
- PedrottiNo response
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- WeberSupport
- PedrottiNo response
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- WeberSupport
- PedrottiNo response
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- WeberSupport
- PedrottiNo response
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- WeberSupport
- PedrottiNo response
Top three candidates win seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Oxsana Pajoluk, Mother/Business Owner
- No response received.
Scott S. Dudek
- “Find ways to have Sacramento stop raiding the proposition money. Find ways to increase needed tools.”
Steve Gursky, Incumbent
- No response received.
Mark Anderson, Principal IT Consultant
- No response received.
Emil Johnson Geddes, Incumbent
- No response received.
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- PajolukNo response
- AndersonNo response
- DudekSupport
- GeddesNo response
- GurskyNo response
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- PajolukNo response
- AndersonNo response
- DudekSupport
- GeddesNo response
- GurskyNo response
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- PajolukNo response
- AndersonNo response
- DudekSupport
- GeddesNo response
- GurskyNo response
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- PajolukNo response
- AndersonNo response
- DudekOppose
- GeddesNo response
- GurskyNo response
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- PajolukNo response
- AndersonNo response
- DudekSupport
- GeddesNo response
- GurskyNo response
Top two candidates win seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Erik M. Hansen, Electrical Engineer
- No response received.
Robin Pastor, Incumbent
- No response received.
Liesel Williams, Incumbent
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Craig Pearson, Incumbent
- “Improve student achievement through data-driven decisions, strong instruction, and targeted support.”
Isaiah B.N. Mateas, Teacher
- “Protect student safety, defend school funding, strengthen Special Education, and expand the arts.”
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- PearsonSupport
- MateasSupport
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- PearsonSupport
- MateasSupport
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- PearsonSupport
- MateasOppose
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- PearsonOppose
- MateasSupport
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- PearsonOppose
- MateasSupport
Top three candidates win seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
John Chabalko, Community Volunteer
- No response received.
Chloe Aftel, Photographer
- “Screens out of elementary education”
Edda Collins Coleman, Incumbent
- No response received.
Katie Shogan, Incumbent
- No response received.
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- ChabalkoNo response
- Collins ColemanNo response
- AftelSupport
- ShoganNo response
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- ChabalkoNo response
- Collins ColemanNo response
- AftelOppose
- ShoganNo response
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- ChabalkoNo response
- Collins ColemanNo response
- AftelSupport
- ShoganNo response
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- ChabalkoNo response
- Collins ColemanNo response
- AftelSupport
- ShoganNo response
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- ChabalkoNo response
- Collins ColemanNo response
- AftelSupport
- ShoganNo response
Top three candidates win seat.
Contra Costa County
What does a school board member do?
A school board member votes on the school district’s budget, oversees the district superintendent and decides on curriculum, within the bounds of state law. The board also manages school facilities and votes on contracts, such as those with employee unions.
Candidates wishing to be included in this guide can email [email protected].
Candidates and Priorities
Eryn Holl King, Mother/School Volunteer
- No response received.
Wenlei Johnson, Incumbent
- “Focus on students and continued success of WCSD under guidance of new superintendent Jon Campopiano.”
Heidi Hernandez Gatty, Incumbent
- No response received.
Geetha Ganti, Healthcare Director/Parent
- No response received.
Aileen Ong, Communications Consultant
- “Fix WCSD’s communication gap: listen first, communicate before decisions, and rebuild trust.”
Rod Ehsani, Real Estate Investor
- No response received.
Positions on Key Issues
Shrinking budgets, evolving technology, and safety issues are top of mind for school boards across the state.
Cell phones in classrooms
Do you support banning cell phones in classrooms?
School districts have weighed concerns about distraction and cyberbullying with some parents’ desire to maintain communication with their children throughout the day.
- KingNo response
- GantiNo response
- JohnsonSupport
- OngSupport
- GattyNo response
- EhsaniSupport
Law enforcement officers
Do you support having law enforcement officers (often known as a school resource officers) on school campuses?
Supporters say the officers provide security and comfort to students and their families, while opponents argue they are too costly and over-police students.
- KingNo response
- GantiNo response
- JohnsonSupport
- OngOppose
- GattyNo response
- EhsaniOppose
School closures or consolidations
Would you support school closures or consolidations to account for under-enrollment or to solve a budget shortfall?
Enrollment in Bay Area schools dropped 10% between 2015 and 2025, and is projected to decline another 10% in the next decade, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- KingNo response
- GantiNo response
- JohnsonSupport
- OngOppose
- GattyNo response
- EhsaniOppose
Charter schools
Would you support new charter schools in the district?
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from many of the rules governing other schools in the district.
- KingNo response
- GantiNo response
- JohnsonOppose
- OngOppose
- GattyNo response
- EhsaniOppose
Teacher misconduct
Do you support California launching a database for hiring schools to see when teachers have been reported to the state for allegations of misconduct?
An effort in the state legislature to create a searchable database failed earlier this year. School administrators argue a database would provide timely information for hiring decisions, but teacher unions say only educators with substantiated complaints of egregious misconduct should end up in a database.
- KingNo response
- GantiNo response
- JohnsonOppose
- OngSupport
- GattyNo response
- EhsaniSupport