Two incumbents ahead, one trailing in Merced Union High District 3, 4, 5 races
In the most recent voting results, released early Wednesday, for Area 3 race of the Merced Union High School District Board of Trustees, Sam S. Spangler led incumbent Julio Valadez with 1,678 votes or 50.56% of the 3,319 votes counted. Valadez who led early as votes came in, now has 1,632 votes or 49.17%.
Valadez was elected in 2020 when remote learning was instituted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed criticism about teachers being asked to provide in-person education at the time.
Spangler is a Merced County Sheriff’s Department deputy and former Union High trustee. He represented Area 3 for nearly six years and resigned in 2014 to focus on family and career.
Neither candidate responded to the Merced Sun-Star’s request for interviews regarding their campaign.
In the most recent voting results for the Area 4 race: incumbent Amalee Jayasinghe led Kanwaldeep Bains with 2,674 votes or 55.07% of the 4,856 votes counted. Bains had 2,119 votes or 43.64%.
Jayasinghe, 50, a manager of a manufacturing facility, was appointed to fill a vacant seat in 2021 and ran unopposed in 2022. Bains, 45, a Public Health Division Manger, previously served seven years on the Livingston Union School District Board.
Jayasinghe said she believes education is transformative and it does so much to change lives.
“I do believe that it’s a partnership between the teachers, schools and the board,” she said. “We partner together to get the best outcome for our students but I really would like to see how better we can get parental involvement as well in student’s education.”
Bains said her experience in public health and community engagement allows her to understand the importance of addressing the diverse needs of students and to help them succeed both academically and personally.
“As a trustee, I aim to advocate for quality education, equity, and support services that will empower students and prepare them for the future,” Bains said. “I’m passionate about fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment, where students can thrive and feel supported.”
In the Area 5 race: incumbent Kurt E. Kollmann led Gameelah Mohamed with 2,035 of the votes or 69.03% of the 2,948 votes counted. Mohamed had 885 votes or 30.02%.
Kollmann, 64, is a retired principal who has represented Area 5 since 2023. He promotes the district’s technical education program for preparing students in careers that don’t require a four-year college education.
“That’s my goal, to make sure we have a really balanced program for Merced Union High School District,” Kollmann said.
Mohamed, 42, is a community advocate who is focused on addressing the multicultural needs of the district. She aims to move forward with cultural competency training among school staff.
“I would love to hear what [board members] have worked on, and work with them from there to try to improve or enhance whatever’s already in place,” Mohamed said. “You can’t do it alone. You definitely always have to have the backing of the community.”
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 9:13 PM.