Trustee Area 5
Area 5 includes Diamond Technology Institute, H.A. Hyde, Starlight, Cesar Chavez, Landmark and New School. Three names are on the ballot: Jennifer Schacher, Curt S. Wilcox and Alicia G. Jiménez.
- Alicia Jiménez, 56, is a retired PVUSD administrator running for the first time. She plans to meet with teachers at each school to hear what isn't working, keep mental health partnerships with nonprofits and push the state for more funding.
- Jennifer Schacher withdrew in August and endorsed Jiménez, according to Santa Cruz Local.
- Curt S. Wilcox was arrested in September and faces felony charges related to his campaign filings, Santa Cruz Local reports. He has not responded to the outlet's interview requests. The charges are allegations and haven't been proven in court.
Trustee Area 7
Area 7 includes Rio del Mar, Renaissance High and Pajaro Valley High.
- Misty Navarro (incumbent) is listed on the ballot as an emergency physician and mother. Santa Cruz Local reports she recently took an academic position at Kaiser Santa Clara, affiliated with the Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine residency program. She declined Santa Cruz Local's interview request.
- Mads Stockwell Realmuto, 41, is listed on the ballot as a parent and education advocate. He is a first-time candidate who has served on the district's Sustainable Schools Advisory committee. He wants clearer goals and guardrails for the superintendent, a way to measure employee satisfaction, and more school-based clinicians to address teen mental health.
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. For more local races and measures, see our 2026 Bay Area election hub.