Behind the headlines (Sue Lempert in Daily Journal)

As the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury issues its final devastating report on financial fumbling in the San Mateo Union High School District, there is a bit of good news. The election for new school board members to replace the two 12-year incumbents is wide open. Marcia Cohn-Lyle has decided to run for the Foster City Council. Diane Vranes will probably reconsider her intent to run for a fourth term. The grand jury rightfully held the school board accountable for a series of bad financial planning and actions. And the voters, hopefully, will demand new faces on the board. Filing begins in August and the election is in November.

One outstanding candidate has already decided to run. Dave Pine, chair of the Burlingame Elementary School District Board of Trustees, and well-known throughout the county is a strong entry. Dave's intelligence and knowledge (he was an advisor on school finance to a recent candidate for governor) is the type of well-qualified person we need on our school boards. Another, is Mark Hudak, who is still undecided on whether to run. He is currently on the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School Board. And there are others in our community. As recent history proves, we can no longer afford to overlook school board races as unimportant.

– Written by Fiona