The Menlo Park City School District serves about 2,700 students at five schools in parts of Menlo Park, Atherton and unincorporated San Mateo County, according to the Palo Alto Daily Post. Voters elect three trustees at large; four candidates are on the ballot, so one will lose.
The candidates
- Jed Scolnick (Incumbent) has been on the board since December 2022 and is its current president.
- Sherwin Chen (Incumbent) has served since December 2018. He says his goals are strengthening academics and maintaining fiscal discipline.
- Maya Herstein (Parent) has a child at Oak Knoll and moved to Menlo Park 14 years ago. She said she decided to run after learning only one current board member has a child in the district, and lists academics, student safety, supporting staff and responsible budgeting as priorities. She said technology in the classroom is a top concern among parents.
- Andrew Barnes (County of Santa Clara Facilities Professional) served eight years on the Menlo Park Planning Commission and sits on the committee overseeing the district's bond spending. He wants continued accountability for Measure U, the $130 million facilities bond, according to the Daily Post.
Also in the area: Sequoia Union High School District races.
More races and measures: our 2026 election hub.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.