When the four new Morgan Hill School District trustees take
office next month, they join three board members each with two
years of experience.
When the four new Morgan Hill School District trustees take office next month, they join three board members each with two years of experience.
“I think we have an exciting opportunity ahead of us,” said Trustee Shellé Thomas, who, with Trustees Amina Khemici and Mike Hickey, was elected in 2002. “I am looking forward to, with this new board, moving the district forward … I think this is a very kid-centered group. I can see academics coming to the forefront.”
Kathy Sullivan, Peter Mandel were the top two finishers with Julia Hover-Smoot in third place, 51 votes ahead of Harlan Warten as of 4pm Friday. The difference early Wednesday morning was 863 votes.
Countywide, there are about 90,835 absentee ballots that remain to be counted. The number of uncounted absentee voter ballots in the Morgan Hill school race was not available. Final results are not expected for at least a week.
The top three finishers in balloting Tuesday will fill the seats held by Jan Masuda, Del Foster and George Panos. Don Moody was appointed Oct. 19 to fill the remaining two years of Tom Kinoshita’s term.
Panos, Masuda and Foster chose not to run for re-election. Foster and Masuda have been on the board since 1996; Panos was elected in 2000. Kinoshita, who resigned in March, was first elected in 1994.
Mandel said he is optimistic about the district’s future.
“I was very pleased with the results of the election,” he said Friday. “I think that Kathy and Julia and I can work very well with the remaining trustees.”
Hover-Smoot agreed.
“I think we’re going to have a strong team,” Hover-Smoot said. “We have a good group of people with lots of good ideas. I think the candidates that did not win a seat are just as strong as the ones who did; I hope they won’t just disappear.”
Hover-Smoot said she would like to see the other candidates stay active and involved with the district.
“And not only the candidates who ran, but also the large group of people who applied for appointment,” she said.
“I think we all a lot about a little, but we don’t really know a lot about a lot, and I think the more people we have involved with their ideas and expertise, the better decisions we can make. Maybe some of these people could serve on district committees. It certainly would be nice to have them as a kind-of support staff.”
Thirteen people applied for appointment to Kinoshita’s term.
Foster said while he would like to see the candidates stay involved in the district, he would be pulling back from district involvement.
“I’m sure I’ll be involved in some way, I’m just not sure right now what that will be,” he said Friday. “Of course I’ll be involved through my kids and maybe with their schools some. But as far as serving on the boundary committee, for example, which I have been asked to do, I doubt it. I feel some obligation to those families, to the people who have worked hard, but right now I would like to do things where I feel productive. Especially these last two years, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything.”
Foster said he has put his years of experience at the disposal of the new board.
“They are a good group of people and I wish them all the luck,” he said. “I have told them they can call me with questions or if I can help … Before we go, we have tried to wrap up things for the new board, particularly those items that you would need a history of several years to deal with.”
The new trustees will be sworn in Dec. 6.
Panos was cautiously optimistic about the new board.
“Every election is a true celebration of American Democracy; the three elected trustees added to the unanimous appointment of Don Moody appears to continue the fine mix of backgrounds on the board,” he said in a written statement. “I am sure they will get through the learning curve quickly. I trust they will maintain civility during meetings and above all remember it’s about the kids.
“While I will be involved at the district level when needed, I will be fully engaged at the school site level where I have two children in elementary school. As you know, the only reason I did not run for re-election was to spend more quality time with my family and focus on my kids.”
Masuda said she was grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board.
“First, I’d like to thank the community for supporting our children’s education,” she said. “The good news is that everyone in Morgan Hill has an opinion about education. The challenge is that everyone in Morgan Hill has an opinion about education – and we do not always agree. But finding a common ground makes us stronger.
“People have asked if I would do it over again considering the politics, challenges and controversy. Absolutely. During the past few years this position has become very political, which is not to my liking. But I have truly enjoyed working with the district employees, parents, children and community and have appreciated their support.”
For the new board members, Masuda said, she has some very specific advice: “Make your decisions based on what is the best interest of all children; a successful district begins with a board who works together as a team – even when the going gets tough; the most important decision you will make in your tenure is the selection of the next superintendent; show your appreciation to our employees, the hours they work and their dedication is endless; take time to celebrate successes and have fun; remember that your family comes first; visit classrooms often – there you will find a competent teacher, children having fun and learning taking place, and that’s why we are all here.”
Griesinger agreed that it was to help the kids that he decided to run, and though he didn’t win a seat, he says he will continue to be a part of the district.
“I have to thank my wife for allowing me to run and my son for running my campaign,” he said. “What I felt good about was the Live Oak students who were first-time voters and supported my campaign. Also the teachers that supported me and the local junior highs. Those were the ones I reached out to … And I have a strong, four-year commitment to Live Oak football. Yes, I’ll be around.”
