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The Almanac will host a crucial candidate forum for the Sequoia Union High School District election for Areas B and E on Oct. 10. The forum will run from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Menlo Park City Council Chambers, 751 Laurel St.
Editor Angela Swartz and Reporter Jennifer Yoshikoshi will moderate the event.
The election comes after a tumultuous four years at the district. Parents have criticized the district’s detracking policy, removing some honors classes for freshmen and sophomores, and the district’s handling of an ethnic studies presentation on the Israel-Hamas war.
All six candidates for Area B and E have told this news organization they will attend.
Those who wish to attend can RSVP on the event’s page.
The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
Area B covers parts of Belmont, San Carlos and Redwood City. It has been represented by Carrie Du Bois since its inception. She decided not to run for re-election in August. She endorsed Mary Beth Thompson to be her replacement.
Area E includes East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks and parts of East Menlo Park. Shawneece Stevenson, who has held this seat for the past four years, also opted not to run for re-election.
During the part of the forum, moderators will ask the candidates predetermined questions, which will not be shared with the candidates beforehand.
Afterward, candidates will be asked questions that were collected from the in-person audience. Questions may be edited as needed.
Have questions for the candidates you want to send in advance of the forum? Submit them here.
The candidates are:
Area B:
Daniel Torunian (Profile)
Torunian was an executive at PayPal before retiring in 2022. He hopes to use his experience in business to help prepare students for the future. The Almanac profiled him in August.
Mary Beth Thompson (Profile, Campaign site)
Thompson is the executive director of Summit Prep Charter School in Redwood City. She wants to bring an educator’s perspective to the board. The Almanac profiled her in August.
Jacob Yuryev (Profile, Campaign site)
Yuryev spent last year as a student trustee on the board before graduating from Carlmont High School in June. He wants to focus on bringing back detracked classes and student mental health. The Almanac profiled him in September.
Area E:
Jon Bryant
Bryant is an entrepreneur and tech educator. He wants to address test score disparities between East Palo Alto and other areas.
Maria Cruz (Campaign site)
Cruz is a professor at San Jose State University. She is also the parent of an incoming freshman at Menlo-Atherton and wants to improve support for bilingual families.
Tonga Victoria (Profile, Campaign site)
Victoria is a community organizer and author. She wants to unite the community around supporting students. The Almanac profiled her in August.
Editor’s note: This version updates to indicate Area B candidate Jacob Yuryev plans to attend the forum.