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Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Mountain View Whisman School District Board of Trustees this November. Incumbents Bill Lambert and Devon Conley are both running again, along with newcomers Sundar Subbarayan and Quintin Riis.
The top two vote-getters will win four-year terms on the five-member governing body, which sets the policies and overall direction of the district. They will join current trustees Charles DiFazio, Lisa Henry and Anna Reed, who each have two years left on their current terms.
To help voters compare and differentiate between the people running, the Voice sent a questionnaire to all the candidates, asking about their policy positions across a wide range of issues. The topics included the district’s budget, technology use in classrooms, and academic achievement.
The Voice allowed candidates to include brief explanations, capped at 150 characters, along with each of their answers. However, they were encouraged to only include additional information when necessary.
See below for their side-by-side responses.
Seems silly to me that Devon is dodging what she will cut to avoid taking a stand and upsetting someone. It’s a deceptive dodge using a fig leaf. This Sundar person seems like a good alternative.
After 8 years my neighbor has been complaining test scores are down here at Landels, it’s probably time for a change. 8 years is a long time.
Zoe’s coverage has consistently struck me as unusually sympathetic to both the current and past MVWSD Boards. Serious controversies; including questions about the expenditure and oversight of millions of dollars in public funds, are too often omitted or minimized. Even the decision to list Devon and Bill first in these graphics, rather than alphabetically, raises questions about how the information is being presented.
Braden Cartwright’s reporting in the PA Post has been far more accurate in examining the board’s record and the issues surrounding it.
The contrast between Bill and Devon’s responses to criticism is also significant. Bill has publicly acknowledged shortcomings and expressed regret about the board’s performance. I have not seen the same level of accountability from Devon regarding the problems that occurred during her tenure. Instead, her public statements often appear focused on messaging and virtue signaling rather than directly addressing the underlying concerns.
That is a judgment and accountability issue. Public officials should answer difficult questions, acknowledge mistakes, identify warning signs, and explain what corrective action is being taken. They should not be judged solely by how effectively they present themselves.
Given the unresolved questions surrounding the board’s performance and use of taxpayer resources, there is no compelling reason to extend Devon’s access to additional public resources in any scenario.
Those resources are intended for students, teachers, and school staff. Taxpayers deserve clear answers, responsible stewardship, and evidence that past mistakes will not simply be repeated. Quintin and Sundar are the right choices here.