I know this district — because I've been showing up for it.
Four years of institutional knowledge, working relationships, and daily presence at school sites across San Mateo Union High School District, where I currently serve as Board Vice President. There's unfinished work worth finishing, and if re-elected, I'm ready to serve as Board President.
Four years of work, at a glance
Nine things I personally identified and pushed to get done — not just votes I cast. Tap any one for the full story.
Results across the whole district
Continuing the work, not starting over
Three priorities, each building directly on something already underway.
College & Career Readiness
Expanding access to advanced coursework and CTE pathways — and turning assessment data into action for every student.
Safe & Connected Schools
Helping students navigate pressure and build real connection — through a phone-free school day, responsible AI use, a school culture that welcomes open, respectful discussion, and a firm commitment that every student, no matter their background or identity, feels safe, respected, and supported.
Fiscal Responsibility
Planning ahead responsibly — leading our next Five-Year Strategic Plan and investing wisely in the facilities and programs that serve students first.
Trusted voices across San Mateo County
Former SMUHSD board leadership, elected officials, fellow school trustees, community leaders, and labor unions backing this campaign.
Peter Hanley
Former SMUHSD Trustee & Board President
Linda Lees Dwyer
Former SMUHSD Trustee
North Coast States Carpenters Union
Representing carpenters across San Mateo County
Art Kiesel
Mayor, Foster City
Rowena Chiu
Trustee, Palo Alto Unified School District
Rich Ginn
Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District
Paige Winikoff
Former Trustee & Board President, Las Lomitas Elementary School District
Suki Reddy
Founder, Intentional Tech in Schools – SMFCSD
Diane Vranes
Former SMUHSD Trustee
Avery Wang
Trustee Candidate, Palo Alto Unified School District
John Craig
Trustee Candidate, Palo Alto Unified School District
Alon Shiran
Trustee Candidate, Sequoia Union High School District
The work isn't finished — and I'm the one who started it.
A steep learning curve, already climbed
Governance takes years to understand fully. Many of my priorities are multi-year initiatives I want to see through, not hand off mid-stream.
Working relationships that get things done
Strong, established relationships with the Superintendent, fellow trustees, and district staff — the kind that make real progress possible.
Still personally invested
Two of my five children have graduated from SMUHSD and I have three more to go. I'm invested in great schools for all.
Time to actually show up
Site visits, board meetings, professional development, task forces — the job takes time and presence, not just good intentions. I have both.
What's happening close to home
Area 3 covers Aragon and Hillsdale High Schools and the neighborhoods around them — Hillsborough, the San Mateo Highlands, and West San Mateo. San Mateo High, right next door, is part of the same community many Area 3 families are part of. And because Hillsborough addresses split across attendance zones, many Area 3 families have students at Burlingame High too — not just Aragon and Hillsdale.
Aragon and Hillsdale are where a lot of my track record started — including the PE study hall fix, which began with my own daughter at Hillsdale, and the Peace Pantry, which I still volunteer at weekly. Here's what's new at the site level this year:
- ● San Mateo High opened a new 20,000-sq-ft athletic training complex this year, funded by the Measure L bond
- ● Burlingame High opened a brand-new gym this year for its students and families — also funded by Measure L
- ● A new hands-on trades program at Aragon — the only one of its kind in the county
- ● Two new Pacific Islander mentoring groups at Aragon through Empower San Mateo
- ● New career pathway courses launching at both Hillsdale and Aragon
- ● A reordered math sequence at Hillsdale, now showing real results in Algebra 2
A present, engaged parent-neighbor — not a career politician
I'm the mother of five children, all raised and educated in San Mateo public schools. I joined the Board four years ago because none of the sitting trustees had children currently enrolled in our schools — a genuine parent's perspective was missing from the table. My two daughters have since graduated from Hillsdale High School during my time on the Board, and my three sons will follow.
I hold an M.S. in Nutritional Science from BYU and am a Registered Dietitian, though I paused that career to raise my family. My science background is why I look for evidence-based practice and data-driven decisions. I've also run a portrait photography business serving local families for 17 years — work that's kept me closely connected to families across our community and given me a front-row seat to what our kids are really going through. I'm also active in interfaith community service through the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition, work that reflects the same value I try to bring to the Board: finding common ground and getting things done for kids, across our differences.
Right now, I'm honored to serve as Board Vice President, and I'd be ready to serve as President if re-elected. My flexible work schedule means I can actually show up — school site visits, professional development, and district events during the school day. This job requires time and presence, not just good intentions, and I bring both. I also show up outside board meetings, at school sports and performances, and volunteering weekly at Empower San Mateo's Peace Pantry with my own kids.
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