Santa Cruz City Schools has three school board seats on the Nov. 5 ballot. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)

SANTA CRUZ >> School board trustees play key roles in local government, helping ensure that school districts adhere to the values and priorities of their communities. 

But when Santa Cruz County voters last chose school board candidates in November 2022, voters didn’t have a choice for many school board seats. Twenty-six of 38 races were uncontested.

In the Nov. 5 election, 32 school board seats are up for grabs across 13 elementary and high school districts in the county. Candidates must file their intent to run by Aug. 9.

Trustees “can make a tremendous difference” for students, said Kris Munro, superintendent of Santa Cruz City Schools. Collaboration between trustees and school staff “really allows the district to build on successes and tackle challenges,” Munro said.

Some recent school board candidates said they decided to run to try to improve conditions for students and teachers. 

Gabriel Medina, 32, is a first-time candidate for Pajaro Valley Unified School Board. He said he’d like to see more Millenial and Generation Z school board members. 

“I think all of us have a very unique understanding of what’s happening and what hasn’t worked [in schools], because a lot of the policies that were initiated as I was growing up really impacted me and a lot of the students,” Medina said. Science and math were prioritized, and students who wanted to pursue other subjects, like art, “were really pushed to the side,” he said. “We saw our programs get defunded.”

Medina added that he wanted to push county leaders for better sidewalks and bus stops for students in his Los Lomas neighborhood.

“My best advice is to file early and ask questions during the process,” said Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber.  “It is daunting to run for office, but we do the best we can to help make it smooth.”

How are trustees chosen?

School board trustees serve four-year terms with no term limits. Terms may be shorter if a new trustee replaces one who left mid-term.

Board members are elected in November of even-numbered years. If a seat becomes vacant between scheduled elections, a school board may hold a special election or appoint a new trustee to serve the remainder of the term.

What do school boards do?

School boards provide several services, according to the California School Boards Association.  

School boards:

• Set the direction for schools and follow a vision for the district that reflects the community’s input.
• Oversee district finances, including the district budget. They can decide to hold elections for school bond measures and parcel taxes, and give input on contracts with employee unions.
• Keep tabs on employee performance. They can hire and dismiss superintendents and set policy for staff evaluation.
• Give input on curriculum and school programs. They do not implement policies or programs.

School boards in Santa Cruz County recently have been at the forefront of important district decisions.

• This year, Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees have debated the continuation of a contracted program for ethnic studies. 
• In Live Oak School district, a budget shortfall led trustees to approve layoffs this year. Some trustees said the budget problems were avoidable and the superintendent stepped down shortly after.
• Board members at Santa Cruz City Schools have led efforts to build homes for teachers and other employees on school district property —  a move Live Oak School District and other districts have also considered.

A Live Oak School Board meeting in March. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file)

Time commitment and pay

School board meetings in Santa Cruz County typically take place once or twice a month in the evening. Some school districts compensate board members and others do not. 

Trustees may receive:

• Employee-equivalent health care plans.
• Monthly or per-meeting stipends. For example, Santa Cruz City Schools pays $50 per month. San Lorenzo Valley School District pays $240 monthly. 
• Reimbursement for training, travel or other expenses.

“There are many, many, many unseen hours that go into being a trustee,” said Munro.

Trustees for Santa Cruz City Schools meet twice a month. Trustees are sometimes asked to read reports in preparation for meetings that can top 2,000 pages, Munro said. “In addition to school board meetings, it’s attending committee meetings and meeting with me on a regular basis,” she said.

Which school board seats are up for election?

Separate from school boards, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education also has four trustee seats on the Nov. 5 ballot. The office provides alternative, adult and special education services, as well as helps oversee the school districts. 

Who can run for school board

School board candidates must be:

• A resident of the school district.
• 18 years or older.
• A U.S. citizen.
• Not legally disqualified from public office.

Some school districts have at-large trustees who can live anywhere in the school district. Other school districts have multiple “trustee areas,” with one representative from each area. Boundaries for school districts and trustee areas are available on the county website.

Some boards also have a youth non-voting member, who is chosen by other students and serves a one-year term. In Santa Cruz County, some boards with a youth trustee include Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Santa Cruz City Schools and the County Office of Education. 

How and where to file for candidacy

Candidates must file forms to declare candidacy by Aug. 9. 

Forms are available:

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 701 Ocean St, Room 310, Santa Cruz.
• By appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays at 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville. Book an appointment online or call 831-454-2423.

Candidacy forms are not available online. 

Candidates who spend or raise more than $2,000 in personal or donated money must create a campaign committee with the California Secretary of State and report expenditures to the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

Learn more

• Santa Cruz County candidate resources
• Candidate watch — See open seats and registered candidates.

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