SCHOOL BOARD SHUFFLE

Four-year veteran of the Santa Barbara School Board Lynn
Rodriguez announced this week that she will not seek reelection
this November. Citing personal reasons – specifically, her two
children – the former president of the board officially removed
herself from the race for two seats on the five-member board. The
other seat up for grabs belongs to eight-year boardmember Dr. Bob
Noel, who also recently declared himself ready to fight for a third
term, despite indicating last month that he was inclined not to
run. Noel said his change of mind resulted from hard lobbying from
constituents who feel the ever-watchful boardmember’s “straight
talk about schools” is a unique and valued addition to the
district’s governing body. In her announcement, Rodriguez expressed
support for Adams Elementary parent Kate Parker, who filed her
candidacy papers earlier this month. With a filing deadline of
August 11, Parker and San Marcos High School parent Suzanne Cawthon
are the sole non-incumbents to have officially thrown their hats in
the ring.