Of the four candidates who ran for a Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Board position at the High School level, incumbents Rosemary Rossi and Katherine Tseng filled the two available positions, winning 30.4 percent and 30.1 percent of the votes respectively. Saratoga parent Ron Jones got 21.8 percent and Los Gatos parent Kyle Park received 17.6 percent.
Rossi, a retired high school science teacher who has held a board position since 2008, advocated for a positive environment, focusing on student connections, ethical integrity and academic success. Her experience as the current vice president of the high school board helped her promote a campaign that led to her election.
Rossi said she wants to integrate an educational system that blends well with newer and more innovative routine that students can relate to more easily.
“I have consistently pushed for better education through new technology and innovative educational methods,” Rossi said in an interview with The Mercury News. “The Media Arts Program at Saratoga High School and the New Tech Program at Los Gatos High School are cutting edge educational programs that help students succeed in a variety of career paths.”
Like Rossi, Tseng has experience working on the school board. She has served as a volunteer in local schools for the past 18 years, and since 2012 she has been the elected board member for the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School Board, appointed board member for the District Budget Advisory Committee and appointed board member of the District Audit Committee.
Tseng says that she will use her experience to help ensure a fiscal responsibility in the district budget and her leadership roles such as President of Argonaut School PTA and Redwood Middle School PTA make her a strong believer in community engagement.
Tseng’s top three priorities for her campaign were excellence in academics and extracurricular programs for all students, community engagement and students’ social and emotional well-being.
As the elected school board members, both Tseng and Rossi will be required to take part in voting for school measures and they will be presented with updates by different departments from SHS and LGHS, including ongoing projects like the new music building and police affiliation with the schools.
“I believe that education is the best investment for our society, and it is a joint effort of families, schools and community,” Tseng said. “With passion and commitment, I will strive to ensure that our students receive the best education to prepare them for college, careers and fulfilling lives.”