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The upcoming fall election will be the first time residents in the Mountain View Los Altos High School District will be participating in a by-area election. But what happens if no candidates emerge in a trustee area that’s up for a vote?
Specific education codes for the state provide guidelines for what happens in such instances, according to Steve Goltiao, associate communications officer with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.
If no one has run for a trustee area, the board must make an appointment at a meeting held before the election, Goltiao said. Those who qualify for appointment must be older than 18, a registered voter and a resident of the school district.
“The person appointed shall qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election for such offices,” Goltiao said in an email. The appointed trustee would serve “as if elected at the district election,” according to the Mountain View Los Altos School District board policy manual.
Three spots on the five-member governing body are up for a vote this November. Trustee Esmeralda Ortiz chose not to vie for another term on the board because of growing familial and career responsibilities. Ortiz lives in Area 2, which is one of the three areas that are up for a vote.
As of Aug. 3, no potential candidates have emerged for Area 2, which encompasses parts of northeastern Mountain View.
Also coming before voters this November is Area 1, which covers Mountain View north of U.S. Highway 101. Nir Paz, a local engineer and father of three children who will eventually attend high school in the district, filed nomination documents for the Area 1 seat on July 31.
Trustees Thida Cornes and Catherine Vonnegut have both filed the declarations of candidacy for the seat in Area 3, which encompasses parts of eastern Mountain View, south of Central Expressway. Sanjay Dave, a former board president and trustee, also pulled nomination papers for the seat on July 30.
School board hopefuls have until Aug. 7 to file nomination documents with the county Registrar of Voters. If an eligible incumbent does not file for reelection, the deadline will be extended to Aug. 12.
While Cornes and Vonnegut currently sit on the board, Goltiao clarified that they don’t qualify to run as incumbents because they were previously elected during an at-large election.
Where exactly is Area 2? What are the boundaries? A map with this article would help.
There is more info in this earlier article: https://www.mv-voice.com/news/2026/07/23/mvla-school-board-to-see-shakeup-in-novembers-election/
https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/10942/trustee_boundary_map_c1.pdf
Area 2 includes Rex Manor, Stierlin Estates, Moffett Boulevard, North Whisman, Wagon Wheel, Slater, Whisman Station, and Sylvan Park.
The PA Daily Post says that Ellen Kamei is running for area 2.
https://padailypost.com/2026/08/03/mountain-view-councilwoman-to-run-for-school-board/