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Sequoia Union High School District board President Amy Koo is well on her way to another term.
According to the latest election results posted Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5, Koo received 6,164 votes (64%), while her opponent, Alon Shiran, received 3,464 votes (36%) for the board’s Area A seat, which represents Redwood Shores, Belmont and San Carlos.
“I’m excited to serve a second term on the SUHSD board and deliver on our Strategic Plan promise that all SUHSD students will belong, expand their worldview through diverse connections and graduate ready to pursue their dreams,” Koo said in an email to this news organization.
Among the first tasks she will take on as she begins another four years on the board is “to ensure that our new trustee, Michael Dekshenieks, has a smooth onboarding and we don’t skip a beat as a governance team,” Koo said.
Dekshenieks ran unopposed for the Area D seat after incumbent Sathvik Nori dropped out of the race and endorsed him. Area D encompasses central Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks and Atherton.
Other immediate priorities for Koo “will be reviewing our cell-phone policy to determine if any changes need to be made and then ensuring that we have policies and guidance in place to account for AI,” she said.
She also wants the board to refocus attention on “graduation requirements, academic pathways and understanding the root causes for the 8% of students who don’t graduate from high school,” Koo said. “I’d like to dive deeper into how can we use data to better support students inside and outside of the classroom.”
In addition, Koo wants the district to continue its wellness efforts. “Students and staff have to be physically, mentally and financially well to be able to do their best work,” she said.
As for running for reelection, she said, “I believe that campaigning is a great opportunity to connect with voters, and I treat it as an extended listening session as I attend events, knock on doors and fine-tune my priorities as I go.”
But she expressed disappointment that many local public offices went unopposed or unfilled during the election season.
“It’s a lost opportunity for voters to be able to weigh in on what’s important to them and build a connection with a local elected official,” Koo said. “I encourage more people to get involved in local politics. Campaigning can be time-consuming, but it is not scary if you learn from those who have done it before, have the mindset that you are getting to know the community you will represent and strategically use your limited resources to reach the most voters. Get involved. Our future depends on it.”
Koo is the parent of two students in the district and was first elected to the board in 2022.
Shiran could not immediately be reached for comment.
Shiran previously said he decided to run for the board because he sought to serve the future high school district that his three children would attend.
Among his priorities, if elected to the board, were a focus on honors and advanced courses, fiscal discipline and transparency, and ensuring community engagement, he said.
