Harter, Malakoff to Resign Seats on Santa Barbara School Board
With two incumbents opting not to seek re-election, there are more open seats than candidates, so far.
It’s early in the election year, but thus far, the Santa Barbara School Board has more open seats than candidates.
Of the three incumbents up for re-election, two — Nancy Harter and Laura Malakoff — will not seek another term this fall. The third, Annette Cordero, has filed papers. A political newcomer, Susan Deacon, president of the nonprofit organization that supports the Elings Aquatics Center, has thrown her hat into the ring, leaving one open seat.
There is still time. The filing period closes Aug. 13 for political newcomers. Incumbents have until Aug. 8.
By way of comparison, two years ago, seven likely contenders attended an informational meeting about what the job entails in the first half of July.
“I’ve worked for eight years on this, between the Hope School Board and Santa Barbara School Board, and it’s enough for me,” she said. “I don’t have any big statement here.”
Malakoff, who turned 53 on Tuesday, said she is proud of the upgrades made to facilities as a result of local bond measures, as well as the hiring of Eric Smith, a business manager who has been widely credited for digging the district out of a financial mess.
One of the more difficult aspects of the job, she said, has been what she views to be the misplaced public perception that local schools aren’t successful.
Harter, before running for school board in 2000, helped lead the successful campaign for Measure V, a facilities bond for the high school district that has brought new swimming pools, theaters and stadiums to local high schools.
Harter said she, too, has been pleased with the district’s facility upgrades and newfound financial footing.
But she was reluctant to wax too reflective, saying her term still has four important months to go, noting, for instance, the parcel tax on the November ballot.
Noozhawk staff writer Rob Kuznia can be reached at .