School measures pass, incumbents keep spots in San Mateo County

“The early returns are looking positive and I am thrilled that this means that I can get started working right away,” Thompson said. “I’m very humbled by this experience, I’ve learned a lot, and I’m ready to start working for our students, our teachers and the community.”

Thompson beat out Jacob Yuryev — a recent Carlmont High School graduate who was the former student trustee representative on the board — and Daniel Torunian. 

In Trustee Area E, which largely represents East Palo Alto, San Jose State University professor Maria Cruz is projected to win with 53.80% of the vote, according to San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

In Trustee Area C, incumbent Rich Ginn ran unopposed. 

For the San Bruno Park School District Trustee Area 1 seat, Kingsley Ma beat longtime Trustee Jennifer Blanco, receiving 58.04% of the vote, according to San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

“I am super thankful and grateful for the community that comes together to really support students, staff and teachers,” Ma said. “We’re in it to make sure that every student is celebrated and we elevate education as a whole, that’s the most important part. Whether it’s me or another board member, we’re all in it for the community.”

For the Trustee Area 4 seat, Caroline Tambe ran unopposed. 

Voters in this district passed a much-need parcel tax after operating as one of the only districts in the county without one. Measure X — a $68 per parcel tax, for a period of eight years, generating $730,000 annually — received 72.30% of the vote. Measure O, for limits of three trustee terms, also passed with 83.16% of the vote, according to San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

In the South San Francisco Unified School District, Pat Murray defended her seat for Trustee Area A, winning 76.62% of the vote, according to San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. In Trustee Area B, Amy Lam ran unopposed. 

In Redwood City School District, Jennifer Ng Kwing King ran unopposed for the Trustee Area 1 seat, and incumbent Mike Wells ran unopposed for Area 4. The board’s Trustee Area 3 seat did not see a campaign, and the current board appointed David Li to the position. 

San Mateo Union High School District will see the same board, with incumbents Greg Land and Ligia Andrade Zúñiga returning to represent Trustee Area 2 and 4, respectively. 

The Belmont Redwood Shores School District saw an unopposed race for two trustee areas. Anne Dang will represent Area 2 and Shelley Tang will represent Area 4. The district’s voters passed Measure P, a $171 million bond, with 64.77% of the vote according to San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. Nov. 5. 

The Burlingame School District also saw unopposed races. Chaitanya Bhuskute will represent Area 2, Katie Jay will represent Area 3 and Nicole Mustafa will represent Area 5. The district’s voters passed Measure GG, a parcel tax to attract and retain teachers, with 71.43% of the vote according to the San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. Nov. 5.

Millbrae School District’s board will remain the same, with Maggie Musa and Frank Barbaro returning for full terms, and Claire Beltrami returning for a short term. Voters passed Measure J, a $95 million bond measure, with 59.77% of the vote according to the San Mateo County Elections Office semiofficial election results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Incumbents Sarah Johnson Kinahan and Tracy Park ran unopposed to serve in at-large positions on the San Carlos School District Board of Trustees. 

In San Mateo-Foster City School District, incumbents Maggie Trinh and Gene Kim ran unopposed for their respective trustee areas. Christina Rodriguez Laskowski ran unopposed for Area 3 but recently died.

Semiofficial election results will be updated as counting proceeds. All mail ballots postmarked from Nov. 5 and received by Nov. 12 will be accepted, and about 40% are received after Election Day, according to the Elections Office.

Further results will be posted 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7, Nov. 8, Nov. 11, Nov. 13, Nov. 15, Nov. 18, Nov. 20 and Nov. 22. The election is to be certified Dec. 5, according to the Elections Office.