BY NORAH SHEPPARD-HUTCHINS
Daily Post Staff Writer
Four candidates are running for three seats at the Menlo Park City School District, including two newcomers competing to bring a fresh face to the board: Maya Herstein and Andrew Barnes.
Alongside Herstein and Barnes, two incumbents are running for reelection:
Sherwin Chen and Jed Scolnick. They are running to represent the school district that serves about 2,700 students across five schools in parts of Menlo Park, Atherton and unincorporated San Mateo County.
The newcomers
Herstein, 47, is a parent with a kid currently enrolled at Oak Knoll. Her-stein said she moved to Menlo Park 14 years ago because of the schools, and has been volunteering with the district for many years.
Herstein decided to run after hearing only one other board member, Josh Spira, has a child currently enrolled in the district.
“I want to increase parent repre-sentation. I feel like a school board is more effective when it’s connected to the parents and families that it serves,” Herstein said.
Herstein’s top priorities include strong academics, student safety, supporting teachers and employees and responsible budgeting.
Herstein said that after speaking with many parents, a big issue is how to handle technology in the classroom.
Barnes, 60, works for the Facilities and Fleet Department for Santa Clara County. He is also a member of a committee that oversees how the school district’s bond money is handled. Barnes was on the Menlo Park Planning Commission for eight years.
“The good news is the school district has a tremendous amount going for it,” Barnes said
Barnes’ top priorities are strong ac-ademics, student well-being, future planning and fiscal responsibility.
Barnes wants to continue ensuring accountability for Measure U, a $130 million voter-approved bond to fund facility improvements and construction.
The incumbents
Chen, 54, is running for reelection and has been a board member since December 2018.
Chen said his goals if reelected are to strengthen academic excellence and maintain fiscal discipline.
Scolnick, 50, is also running for re-election, as his term ends in December.
Scolnick has been a board member since December 2022 and currently serves as president.
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