Burlingame School District appoints trustee

Stephens, who works for Apple, has two children in the school district. She and her husband serve on the Special Education District Advisory Committee, which she described as “one of the most rewarding opportunities.”

Stephens said her strengths include building community, particularly around families with children with special needs, and making tough decisions that are rooted in data and facts, even when emotions may run high. 

Devoy, who was appointed to the board himself in March 2022 and then elected in November 2022, announced he would leave the position in September. 

Stephens will serve the remaining length of Devoy’s term until the end of 2026. The seat will be up for election next year, and Stephens said she is interested in running. 

The appointment of a trustee to fill a vacancy ahead of an election year is common practice in the Burlingame School District. 

The seat taken by Stephens, and that held by Trustee Doug Brown, are the last positions that were voted “at-large” and their terms end December 2026. The next election cycle, they will be by district as Trustee Area 1 and Trustee Area 4. 

At the board’s meeting Nov. 18, Brown also announced he would also not seek reelection for his seat. 

Trustee Area 1 includes the southwestern most part of the district’s jurisdiction, which includes the location of Hoover, Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary schools. Trustee Area 4 is the southeastern part of the district’s jurisdiction, which includes the location of Washington Elementary School.