As part of the Times’ ongoing coverage of the Nov. 3 election, this week we feature candidates for two seats on the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Three names are on the ballot for MHUSD Trustee Area 3: Art Cohen, Cesar Gamboa and incumbent Sarah Northrup Gadus. Running for the seat representing MHUSD TA4 are Glen R. Webb and Claudia Ortiz.
We asked candidates for a short biographical intro and a statement about why they are running and what they hope to achieve in office.
Their responses are published as written by the candidates, with minor editing for style, space and clarity.
These races, among others, will be on the Nov. 3 statewide general election ballot.
Over the coming weeks, the Times will continue to profile candidates for local office. To read previously published candidate profiles, visit our website at morganhilltimes.com.
For more information about the Nov. 3 election visit sccvote.org.
Art Cohen
Candidate for MHUSD TA3
Husband to a public school teacher and father of two Ann Sobrato High School graduates, Art Cohen is a Morgan Hill education advocate. A former Site Council member and classroom volunteer, he is an executive, entrepreneur, county commissioner, Rotarian and Prado Foundation volunteer, endorsed by Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers.
Morgan Hill Unified needs fiscal transparency, stronger special education services and a focus on academic achievement at every grade level. I am asking for your vote because I will bring a practical, student-centered approach to the School Board, grounded in accountability, collaboration and results.
As your trustee, I will show up, listen, ask the hard questions and insist on answers.
My 25 years of business leadership, experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and record of community service have prepared me to make responsible decisions for our schools. As the husband of a school teacher with more than 20 years in the classroom, and the father of two MHUSD graduates, I understand the importance of teachers having the support, resources and respect they need to help every student succeed.
I will fight for budgets that put students and classrooms first: competitive teacher compensation, safe learning environments, strong instructional programs and responsible repairs to aging schools. I will advocate for clear goals, measurable outcomes and transparent public reporting so families can see what is working, where improvement is needed and how their tax dollars are being spent.
Too many Morgan Hill students are not yet meeting academic standards. We must focus on proven strategies that improve reading, math, attendance and student achievement, and be willing to improve or replace programs that are not delivering results.
I will also work to strengthen special education staffing and services so more students can receive high-quality support closer to home.
“Building Better Schools Together” means involving parents, teachers, staff, students, trustees and community members in meaningful decisions. It means communicating openly, respecting differing perspectives and making fact-based choices.
Every Board decision should begin with: Will this help Morgan Hill students learn, thrive, and succeed? Join me in bringing this approach to the Board. Thank you.
Cesar Gamboa
Candidate for MHUSD TA3
Cesar Gamboa is a Morgan Hill resident and educator who believes in staying engaged, active and connected to the community. His work with students and educators demonstrates the importance of high expectations, strong relationships and giving young people an opportunity to grow. He brings that perspective to the MHUSD Board of Education.
Cesar believes strongly in the value of public education and the role schools play in building a healthy, engaged community. His work with students and educators has shown him that meaningful educational progress begins with high expectations, strong relationships and an environment where young people have both the support and the freedom to grow.
Cesar is particularly interested in the intersection of academics, personal development and civic engagement. He believes students should be challenged academically while also being given opportunities to develop confidence, responsibility, curiosity and a sense of connection to the community around them.
As a member of the MHUSD Board of Education, Cesar would bring an educator’s perspective to the district’s work. He values listening to students, families, teachers, staff and community members, while recognizing that the Board’s responsibility is to provide thoughtful governance, establish priorities, exercise responsible oversight and keep students at the center of decision-making.
He also believes that meaningful family engagement requires accessibility. In a multilingual community, families should be able to understand what is happening in their schools and participate meaningfully in their children’s education, regardless of the language they speak at home.
Cesar values multilingualism as an asset and believes language should never be an unnecessary barrier between families, educators and their schools.
His priorities include maintaining high academic expectations, strengthening support for students with differing needs, encouraging student engagement and attendance, supporting educators and staff and approaching the district’s financial and facilities challenges with care and long-term perspective.
Cesar believes a strong school district is more than a collection of classrooms. It is one of the institutions through which a community invests in its future.
He hopes to contribute his experience, energy and commitment to education while helping foster a district where students are challenged, supported and given room to become capable and engaged members of their community.
Sarah Northrup Gadus
Candidate for MHUSD TA3
I have called Morgan Hill home for more than a decade, where I’ve raised my kids and become deeply involved in our schools and community. As an MHUSD parent, appointed school board trustee and college student pursuing social work, I bring lived experience, public service and commitment to local families.
I am a parent, a community member and a school board trustee who has spent the past two years doing the work to make our public schools stronger.
I share the economic realities and lived experiences of the majority of MHUSD families, grounding my leadership in the everyday challenges and strengths of our community. I have a personal understanding of what our students and families need from their schools.
I believe every child deserves a high-quality education, supportive teachers and access to the resources they need to thrive.
During my two years on the board, I have helped navigate difficult financial decisions while maintaining healthy district reserves of approximately $37 million, without mass layoffs or school closures.
I have supported preserving mental health counselors, retaining elementary arts and physical education teachers and securing daily preparation time for elementary educators, a first for MHUSD. I stood up for our students’ future by voting to invest in modern, safe school facilities because every child deserves a quality learning environment.
I also helped guide the successful launch of our district’s Education Foundation, creating another pathway to expand opportunities for students.
My priorities are straightforward: student wellbeing, academic excellence, inclusive public education, strong support for educators and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I believe we can make thoughtful financial decisions without losing sight of what matters most: the students sitting in our classrooms.
I am running because I care deeply about Morgan Hill and believe our community deserves a school trustee who listens, asks hard questions, works collaboratively and puts students first. I would be honored to continue serving our community and advocating for every MHUSD student.
Glen R. Webb
Candidate for MHUSD TA4
Father of three MHUSD graduates, grandfather of five preschool age grandsons, 40 years of MHUSD service as a teacher, athletic coach, principal, director, leadership coach, interim principal and husband to a career MHUSD teacher.
I champion Public Education. Education is my passion. Board Trustee is my next opportunity to serve.
I have the confidence of teachers, public service and community leaders. I believe in honesty, transparency and engaging our community as true partners. My loyalty is to students, the law and those with the common mission of making our schools distinguished.
My education priorities include grade level reading by third grade, algebra readiness by middle school and college and career readiness by graduation. My fiscal priorities are to reduce turnover by having a competitively compensated workforce, increase budget transparency for greater accountability; and ending deficit spending so we can sustain durable programs that maximize student outcomes.
Twice recognized by the California School Boards Association for excellence in strategic planning, l collaboratively led Britton as the only district secondary school to surpass the 800 API distinguished school mark.
I have authored the district’s LCAP; assisted all schools with their School Plans for Student Achievement; supervised School Accountability Report Cards; and have provided training for past Governing Boards. I know accountability, compliance, data analysis, budget and program evaluation for maximum results.
As a roaming interim principal, I know our schools and their unique strengths and challenges. As a former administrator supervising student services, I understand our community, students, the obstacles that can get in the way of learning and how to address them.
As an educational leader that expects the best for our community, I understand the responsibilities of the Governing Board and have taken bold action to demand the highest ethical conduct and accountability of former administrations when needed.
As a graduate of the Association of California School Administrators Personnel and Superintendent’s Academies, I know the system and can hit the ground running to promote effective leadership and to be a responsible steward of public resources.
Claudia Ortiz
Candidate for MHUSD TA4
As a first-generation college graduate and small business owner, I know firsthand the systemic barriers working families face in education. Navigating the pathway from community college to an MBA fueled my drive to build an equitable, innovative future where every local student can thrive without barriers.
No one understands the careful use of money more than a small business owner. As an active MHUSD parent, local business owner and first-generation college graduate, I know the power of public education and the importance of preparing our kids for a 21st-century workforce.
Teaching and learning have fundamentally shifted since the pandemic, requiring fresh insight into the emotional, social and academic realities our students face today. Navigating these post-pandemic challenges takes current, hands-on understanding.
As a business owner, I understand today’s hiring trends and the skills employers are looking for. Our world is changing rapidly, and education must evolve with it. We cannot prepare students for tomorrow’s careers using yesterday’s playbook.
Today’s students need 21st-century skills, strong literacy and critical thinking and robust Career Technical Education pathways that prepare them for modern industries, trades and higher education.
Having a daughter currently attending MHUSD gives me a unique perspective as both a parent and community leader. Since 2020, I have actively served Morgan Hill Unified through Home & School Club, School Site Council and other district committees.
I understand the importance of giving students the resources and support they need while developing the skills to thrive academically, mentally and socially.
I am committed to responsible fiscal stewardship, transparent communication and forward-looking leadership that ensures every student has the opportunity to succeed.
I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote. Together, we can build a stronger future for every MHUSD student. For Our Kids. For Our Community.
