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Mountain View City Council member Ellen Kamei is seeking a spot on a local school board in this November’s election, as her second term on the council comes to a close.
First elected to the City Council in 2018, Kamei plans to run for the Mountain View Los Altos High School District’s Area 2 seat. Because City Council members aren’t allowed to serve more than two consecutive four-year terms, Kamei isn’t eligible to remain on the council.
Kamei is the only person thus far to pull papers to run for Area 2, according to Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters records. Current MVLA board member Esmeralda Ortiz also lives in Area 2, but previously announced that she won’t be running, citing growing familial and career responsibilities.
Area 2 encompasses a northeastern portion of Mountain View, including the Rex Manor, Stierlin Estates, Moffett Boulevard, North Whisman, Wagon Wheel, Slater, Whisman Station and Sylvan Park neighborhoods.
This November’s election will be the first time MVLA elects board members based on trustee areas, rather than through an at-large system. Previously, voters throughout the district all voted on each trustee. Now, the district is split into five segments, with each area picking one trustee.
In addition to Area 2, Areas 1 and 3 are also up for a vote this year. So far, current board members Catherine Vonnegut and Thida Cornes are vying for the Area 3 seat, along with former board member Sanjay Dave. In Area 1, only local parent Nir Paz has thrown his hat into the ring.
Those interested in running have until Aug. 12 to file nomination documents with the county Registrar of Voters.
Hope that more candidates will consider running in the two districts with a lone candidate. That would provide an opportunity for the candidates to share their plans and vision for the High School district; as of now, we might never know until they start on the job.