The San Mateo County Board of Education fourth area trustee position has been in a recent state of flux. When Fred Leonard decided to step down, former Bowditch Middle School principal John Belforte campaigned and soundly defeated challenger Anthony “Fel” Amistad to win the seat. Unfortunately, Belforte died of cancer shortly after taking the seat and Leonard was asked to fill in until the next election. He agreed and delayed his retirement four years.
Now, the seat is once again up for grabs and Amistad is once again trying for the seat. It is another of many unsuccessful campaigns for Amistad. Challenging him is Rod Hsiao, First 5 county commissioner looking for his first publicly-elected office.
Hsiao is no political or educational newbie, however. He has five years experience as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives and has a firm grasp on how the county Board of Education works. It is an often quiet board that largely oversees the county special education programs and community and court schools. It acts as a support system for the county’s other school districts with little actual oversight. It takes someone with collaborative policymaking and problem-solving skills who understands the position’s basic tasks.
Amistad, while well-intentioned, is campaigning on a platform that he would like the board to help oversee other districts and make sure financial problems stay at bay. While that is a worthy goal, it has little to do with the board’s actual function and Amistad has trouble seeing that.
The community deserves a trustee with the right background and intuitive problem-solving skills who seeks collaboration instead of vague and troubling grandstanding. Hsiao deserves your vote.
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