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Sonoma County Board of Education, Trustee Area 2
Top candidate wins seat. Includes votes from Sonoma and Marin counties.
Sonoma 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
Jonathan Lenz, Educator
- No response received.
Caitlin Quinn, Nonprofit Union President
- “Strengthening programs that directly help multilingual learners and students with disabilities”
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.
- LenzNo response
- QuinnSupport
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.
- LenzNo response
- QuinnOppose
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.
- LenzNo response
- QuinnSupport
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.
- LenzNo response
- QuinnSupport
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.
- LenzNo response
- QuinnSupport
Top candidate wins seat.
Sonoma 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 Marie Scardina, Educator
- No response received.
Leff Brown, Incumbent
- No response received.
Nathan Toister, Post-Secondary Educator
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Sonoma 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
Susan Joyce McIntosh, Writer
- “Literacy and student achievement because reading and writing skills are fundamental to learning.”
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.
- McIntoshSupport
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.
- McIntoshOppose
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.
- McIntoshSupport
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.
- McIntoshSupport
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.
- McIntoshSupport
Top three candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Patricia “Trish” Donoho, Business Analytics Director
- No response received.
Stephanie Ahmad, Incumbent
- No response received.
Rich Carnation, Incumbent
- “Continued focus on academic achievement, especially in the earlier grades.”
Michael Brown, Local Retail Salesperson
- 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.
- DonohoNo response
- AhmadNo response
- CarnationSupport
- BrownNo 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.
- DonohoNo response
- AhmadNo response
- CarnationSupport
- BrownNo 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.
- DonohoNo response
- AhmadNo response
- CarnationSupport
- BrownNo 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.
- DonohoNo response
- AhmadNo response
- CarnationSupport
- BrownNo 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.
- DonohoNo response
- AhmadNo response
- CarnationSupport
- BrownNo response
Top candidate wins seat.
Sonoma 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
Shaun A. Du Fosee, Appointed Incumbent
- “Continuing the work of bringing the district into a firm financial footing”
Teresa A. Medina, Program Coordinator
- 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.
- Du FoseeSupport
- MedinaNo 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.
- Du FoseeSupport
- MedinaNo 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.
- Du FoseeSupport
- MedinaNo 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.
- Du FoseeOppose
- MedinaNo 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.
- Du FoseeSupport
- MedinaNo response
Top candidate wins seat. Includes votes from Sonoma and Marin counties.
Sonoma 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
Laura Holmes, Parent/HR Consultant
- No response received.
John Garcia, Physician/Medical Director
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat. Includes votes from Sonoma and Marin counties.
Sonoma 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 Seitchik Sebastian, Non-Profit Director/Realtor
- No response received.
John La Bare, Operations Manager/Father
- No response received.
Top candidate wins seat.
Sonoma 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
Lewis Buchner, Incumbent
- “Fiscal common sense”
Dani Sheehan-Meyer, Community Volunteer
- 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.
- BuchnerSupport
- Sheehan-MeyerNo 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.
- BuchnerOppose
- Sheehan-MeyerNo 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.
- BuchnerSupport
- Sheehan-MeyerNo 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.
- BuchnerOppose
- Sheehan-MeyerNo 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.
- BuchnerSupport
- Sheehan-MeyerNo response
Top three candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Jacquelyn Wilson, Appointed Incumbent
- No response received.
Tiffany Danielle Monroe, Parent/Corporate Attorney
- No response received.
Michael Podshadley, Small Business Owner
- No response received.
Jasmin Tokatlian, Parent
- No response received.
Top two candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Melissa Frost, Appointed Incumbent
- No response received.
Craig Baker, Retired School Superintendent
- No response received.
Mike Wilder, Carnivorous Plant Conjuror
- No response received.
Top three candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Rebecca Houghton, Incumbent
- No response received.
John Moise, Incumbent
- Providing a high quality education to all students
Jeff Harding, Incumbent
- No response received.
Anna-Maria Guzman, Retired Educator
- 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.
- HoughtonNo response
- MoiseSupport
- HardingNo response
- GuzmanNo 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.
- HoughtonNo response
- MoiseOppose
- HardingNo response
- GuzmanNo 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.
- HoughtonNo response
- MoiseOppose
- HardingNo response
- GuzmanNo 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.
- HoughtonNo response
- MoiseSupport
- HardingNo response
- GuzmanNo 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.
- HoughtonNo response
- MoiseSupport
- HardingNo response
- GuzmanNo response
Top three candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Laura B. Gutierrez, Mother/Medical Assistant
- No response received.
John C. Martin, School Board Trustee
- No response received.
Mauricio Gutierrez, Heavy Equipment Operator
- No response received.
Nicolas Noyes, Incumbent
- No response received.
Joel Ruiz, School Trustee/Firefighter
- No response received.
Top three candidates win seat.
Sonoma 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
Denise Bugbee, Incumbent
- “Keeping our budget in alignment”
Dylan Lloyd, Parent/Cloud Architect
- “Ensuring every Waugh student has the support and education needed to thrive.”
Christine D. Pieper, Incumbent
- “Maintaining a positive budget to ensure funding for student success.”
Kevin Gushue, Accountant
- 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.
- BugbeeSupport
- LloydSupport
- PieperSupport
- GushueNo 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.
- BugbeeSupport
- LloydSupport
- PieperSupport
- GushueNo 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.
- BugbeeSupport
- LloydSupport
- PieperSupport
- GushueNo 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.
- BugbeeSupport
- LloydSupport
- PieperSupport
- GushueNo 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.
- BugbeeSupport
- LloydSupport
- PieperSupport
- GushueNo response