Candidates and ballot measures set for November election in San Mateo County

Jim Irizarry, assistant chief elections officer for San Mateo County, said in an email that if an insufficient number of candidates qualify for the ballot, the governing board of the school district must appoint a qualified person at a meeting prior to Election Day. He added that appointee will be seated at the board’s organizational meeting as if he or she was elected at a district election.

In the Burlingame Elementary School District, incumbent Florence Wong and Kate Reed, a community volunteer, will pursue two open seats on the district’s board of trustees. Board President Mark Intrieri confirmed he will not seek re-election for a fourth term.

In the San Mateo-Foster City School District board race, appointed incumbent Ken Chin will join Annie Tsai, businesswoman and parent, and Alison Proctor, a certified public accountant and parent, to vie for two open board seats. Incumbent Audrey Ng said she will not seek re-election for a third term.

The slate of candidates and measures San Mateo County voters will have an opportunity to cast ballots for in November also includes city council races in Burlingame and San Bruno as well as a half-cent sales tax hike in San Bruno and a parcel tax for the Redwood City Elementary School District.

In the race for two open seats on the Burlingame City Council are incumbents Mayor Donna Colson and Vice Mayor Emily Beach, both of whom are running to reclaim their spots on the council along with education consultant Mike Dunham.

Among those vying for two seats on the San Bruno City Council are incumbents Vice Mayor Irene O’Connell and Councilman Marty Medina, who will be joined by Realtor Stephan Marshall and attorney Linda Mason.

In the Redwood City Elementary School District, residents will vote on a $149 parcel tax standing to generate about $3.45 million annually over the next 12 years. Expected to help close an expanding budget gap generated by a loss of students to local charter schools and families departing from Redwood City in favor of more affordable destinations, officials look to the additional revenue to help attract and retain qualified teachers, maintain reading and science, technology, engineering and math programs and reduce class sizes in kindergarten and first-grade. The Redwood City Elementary School District parcel tax measure will require two-thirds approval to pass.

San Bruno residents will weigh in on a half-cent sales tax hike expected to generate some $4 million annually. City officials have said previously that if passed, the funds will allow for expanded street and pothole repairs in residential streets while maintaining city services. The sales tax will require majority voter approval to pass.