Merced City School District race taking shape after late resignation leaves vacancy. See results

In the most recent voting results, released Wednesday morning, for the race for Area 2 on the Merced City School District board of representatives, Tsia Xiong’s lead remained consistent with 1,230 votes or 55.48% of the 2,217 votes counted. Trailing was Audrea Tuhn with 961 votes or 43.35%.

The seat is vacant after Jessee Espinosa resigned in September to relocate to the Bay Area for another job.

Xiong, 54, has four children who have attended MCSD schools. He said he would focus on transparency regarding budget expenditures, and ensuring funds support first-generation students and those whose English is their second language.

“I’ve seen a lot of our refugee students over the years who have not been given the best education possible,” Xiong said. He is the program director at the Hlub Hmong Center, a resource center advocating for the needs of Hmong residents.

Tuhn, 30, has two children attending MCSD schools, and said she is running because she sees a need for more parent representation on the school board.

In the Area 4 race: Annie Delgado continues to lead with 1,521 votes or 64.12% of the 2,372 votes counted.

Incumbent Birdi Olivarez-Kidwell had 832 votes or 35.08%. She ran her campaign in 2020 advocating for the needs of all students during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her current priorities are investing in classroom safety and technology.

Delgado said she is interested in procuring funding for classroom resources that engage student learning, and believes her experience negotiating as chair of her union gives her an advantage.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:42 PM.