EUSD incumbents keep seats

Three Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) board members up for reelection retained their seats on Tuesday.

Board president Marla Strich received 27.26 percent of the vote, followed by incumbent Emily Andrade with 26.64 percent and Gregg Sonken with 25.14 percent.

The board terms are for four years.

They faced challenger Jennifer Hamler, who gained 20.96 percent of the vote.

“Congratulations to the incumbents who will keep their seats on the EUSD board,” Hamler wrote on her campaign’s Facebook page. “Although I am disappointed I will not be able to serve the community on the board, it was an amazing experience for me and my family.”

As of Wednesday morning, 28,448 ballots had been counted, with a fraction of provisional and mail ballots waiting to be recorded. The district covers southern Carlsbad and Encinitas.

The incumbents all supported each other, collectively raising $12,863 for the election, according to paperwork. Hamler reported $9,810 in contributions, a total that included a local production company contributing $5,000 worth of services for a campaign video.

Hamler promoted increased transparency, including recording and posting all board meetings online. She also voiced concern with the district’s implementation of Common Core math standards.

Strich, Andrade and Sonken said the board has a strong track record, pointing to instances such as EUSD earning the 2014 Green Ribbon District Sustainability Award, one of nine districts in the nation to do so.

EUSD board member Maureen Muir, whose term ends in 2016, was elected to the San Dieguito Union High School District board. To fill the vacant EUSD seat, the EUSD board could either order a special election or appoint a new board member.