Four candidates are running for two seats on the San Mateo County Board of Education but only one – Rod Hsiao – decided to show up to last night’s debate.

Trustee Hsiao is being challenged by financial insurance analyst Ademan Angeles to represent area four, which includes the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District and parts of the San Mateo Union High School District. Trustee Guillermo “Memo” Morantes is facing Noria Zasslow to represent area seven, which includes Las Lomitas, Menlo Park City, Portola Valley, Ravenswood City and Woodside Elementary school districts, as well as portions of Sequoia Unified.

Being that Hsiao was the sole candidate at last night’s not well-attended forum, the rules were simple. Hsiao introduced himself, took seven questions and thanked those in attendance. He was, however, still required to stick to the time limits of three minutes for introduction and conclusion and one-minute answers to questions.

Ensuring quality education is offered to all students topped Hsiao’s goals and reason for running for re-election.

“Can we really confidently say, in all our school districts now, that we are going to teach them the right skills and the right knowledge to succeed? And, unfortunately, I think the answer is no,” he said.

That being said, finance is and will remain the major issue facing the county, he said. For example, the County Office of Education lost $2.3 million due to recent losses in the San Mateo County Investment fund due to its holdings in Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. The fund lost 4.77 percent of the $2.6 billion portfolio’s principal.

There is enough in reserves, but the additional year will prove challenging, he said. It was for this reason Hsiao hoped to remain in his position but also on the budget subcommittee.

Matching calendars for different grade levels — from elementary to high school — was a concern of those in the audience. The gaining interest in year-round calendars in elementary and middle schools, Hsiao said, makes such a change growingly difficult. Although, he agreed vacation time could be better matched.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.