Three seats up for grabs on the MV-W school board Three seats up for grabs on the MV-W school board (February 20, 2004)

Filicetti, Fisher won't seek re-election this fall

By Julie O'Shea

Two long-serving Mountain View-Whisman school board trustees have announced they won't seek re-election this November. And another said she has yet to decide whether she'll run again, leaving open the potential of a major change to the board majority.

Parents who, in the past, had expressed an interest in running for one of the three open seats are now saying they want to wait to see if voters will pass the Measure J parcel tax next month.

Rose Filicetti, who was first elected to the school board in 1994 and is currently serving as board president, and Carol Fisher, who is the vice president, both said they'd like to spend more time with their families, adding that it is now time to let new leaders guide the elementary-and-middle-school district over the next four years.

"I will be finishing up this term and then that will be it," Fisher said. "I really want to be able to forcus on family and the kids for their final few years at home before they take off and go to college."

Gloria Higgins, who was elected to a two-year term in 2002, said she wants to get through the March election before she starts thinking about a November election. Higgins is co-chairing the campaign for Measure J, which will be decided on by voters on March 2. While she said she enjoys being on the board, Higgins acknowledged it is a huge commitment, and she, too, would like to spend more time with her family.

"I can't say yes, and I can't say no," said Slater School parent Elaine Spence about running for a seat this fall. Spence ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the board two years ago. "I'm very involved in the Measure J campaign right now."

And while Bubb School parent Michelle De La Ossa said she had planned to seriously consider a run for the board, a family emergency may prevent her from doing so now.

At the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, trustees Phil Faillace and Susan Sweeley both said they plan to go out for another four-year term in November.

"I'm excited about running again and being on the board because it's a great district, and I would like to see it through," Sweeley said.

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

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