COM, MCOE, and School Board Endorsements
November 5, 2024
College of Marin
Crystal Martinez - College of Marin **
Crystal Martinez, a dedicated public servant, is running for Marin Community College District Trustee in District 2. For over two decades, she has called San Rafael home, while actively engaging in the community. As an experienced County of Marin employee and College of Marin Trustee, Crystal is committed to fostering transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving. With a B.A. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Business Analytics, her work focuses on making a meaningful impact on local education. Her top priorities include expanding flexible class options, promoting community college as a first choice, re-engaging former students, and addressing workforce housing challenges for staff and faculty. Crystal's leadership is driven by a deep passion for creating an inclusive and thriving educational environment in Marin County.
Stephanie O'Brien - College of Marin **
Stephanie has served Marin County in both elected and appointed roles since 2001. A public education champion, she was first appointed to the Lagunitas School Board in 2001, and then elected to the College of Marin Board in 2011. Her county-wide work includes serving as an At-Large member of the School District Organization Committee for MCOE. Recognized for her proven track record of effective leadership and strategic visioning for institutions, she is endorsed in her re-election campaign by both area Supervisors Rodoni and Lucan, as well as the current and former Superintendent of Marin Schools, amongst others. Stephanie leads two professional services consultancies focused on taxpayer’s investments in educational facilities. A California native, she has resided in Woodacre since 1997.
Marin County BOE
Li Delpan - Marin County BOE - Area 1
As current member of Marin County Board of Education, I have experienced first-hand our important work for all of Marin’s children and youth.
As a Parent, I want for all parents what I wanted for my child including high quality infants/toddlers’ childcare and Early-Education programs; best teachers and staff; and education that provides skills to maximize children’s potential in all life stages.
As a Community member, ensure Safe and Healthy schools and students access to outstanding education including all subjects of learning and programs addressing global warming, democracy, diversity, and equality.
As a Businessperson, use my MBA, finance and banking acumen to support schools’ effective operations and strategic use of resources.
As a Board Member, I have supported high quality childcare and early-education; Oak Hills Apartments Project providing 135 affordable housing units for public school staff; and creation of the Marin Career Technical Education Center to provide youths with workplace skills that align personal values with career goals.
For more information: https://www.lidelpan.com/
Victoria Canby - Marin County BOE - Area 4
Victoria “Tory” Canby is running for Marin County Board of Education Trustee Area 4. She’s deeply dedicated to educational systems that best serve student’s needs. As a former student of Marin’s public schools and middle school parent, she’s personally motivated to improve educational spaces throughout the County.
Victoria worked in education for over 25 years in a variety of settings, including after-schools, preschools, extracurricular classes and leading Indigenous Studies workshops. Recently, as the Executive Director of the Museum of the American Indian, she collaborated with educational partners to develop curriculum and programming. She’s been an active volunteer in parent DEI groups in her child’s schools. As a member of the MCOE Board, Victoria is deeply committed to safe, encouraging learning environments for all students.
For more information see: Victoria Canby for Marin County Board of Education
XXXX - Marin County BOE - Area 7
Tam Union High School
Ida Times-Green - Tam Union High School **
Ida Times-Green is a California native and a life-long resident of Marin City. In 2010, after eighteen years of active membership and employment within the faith-based community, Ida was conferred a bachelor’s degree from Dominican University California, San Rafael in Humanities and Cultural Studies. Subsequently, she was accepted into a graduate program at California East Bay, Hayward and was conferred a master’s degree in Social Work.
Currently, Ida works for the County of Marin Health & Human Services as a Sr. Program Coordinator in the Social Services Department. She is coordinating efforts to establish a Southern Marin Multi-Service Hub.
Ida has a big heart for all communities and has a strong desire to serve its residents for many years to come.
Larkspur-Corte Madera
Beth Blair - Larkspur-Corte Madera **
Beth Blair’s deep commitment to ensuring all students have access to a high-quality public education has been the focus of her entire career and what brought her to serve her local community as a trustee in her children’s district. Beth has been a trustee on the Larkspur Corte Madera School District Board of Trustees since November 2022. She grew up in Evanston, IL and attended public schools from K-12. She graduated from Pitzer College with a degree in Psychology, and later received a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University in Chicago. Beth worked in the Chicago Public Schools for 14 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She currently works as an educational consultant for TNTP, a national education non-profit, supporting public school district leaders and teachers in California.
Ross Valley
Rachel Litwack - Ross Valley **
Rachel was raised in a multicultural family of educators and has been volunteering in the RVSD for over a decade. Elected RVSD Trustee in 2020, Rachel is currently Board President and has extensive experience serving on numerous RVSD committees and the YES Foundation Board. She’s actively involved in education-related fundraising efforts and has a deep connection to the schools and community. Rachel has comprehensive knowledge of an effective trustee's role and responsibilities, a thorough understanding of school financing, and the necessary experience to help all students and teachers thrive.
Rachel believes every child deserves access to high-quality public education and teachers need higher pay in a sustainable manner.
Professionally, Rachel is an Administrative Director at a CPA firm focusing on governmental and nonprofit auditing.
Phillip Feffer - Ross Valley
Philip J Feffer is an attorney and a dad in RVSD. With a daughter at Manor and a son who will attend in two years, he will be a parent in the District for the next twelve years. Feffer joined the RVSD Budget Advisory Committee last year in hopes of using his career-honed budget analysis skills to help the District find creative ways to increase teacher salaries, but the Board was unresponsive. If elected PJ plans to advocate for teacher salary increases that the District can already afford, as well as encourage unexplored pathways to better support its staff, students, and wider community. Feffer is Vice Chair of the Fairfax Planning Commission and a member of Marin’s Community Development Agency Countywide Priority Setting Committee.
Daniel Cassidy - Ross Valley **
Education is Daniel’s ‘true north.’ He earned a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Health Education and Master’s degree in College Administration. He continues to teach locally at Dominican University in San Rafael and leads an educational consulting business helping high school students navigate the college application and selection process. For the past year and a half, Daniel has served as an appointed Trustee for the Ross Valley School District. Knowing the district is facing declining enrollments and increased costs, the next four years will require the board to listen to the community and act decisively when needed. When facing challenging discussions and decisions, Daniel will continue to put current and future students, as well as current and future teachers, at the forefront of his decision-making process.
Sausalito - Marin City
Lester Parham - Sausalito - Marin City
Lester has a natural ability to connect to the Sausalito Marin community. He works tirelessly for the betterment of the students of the 94965.
When asked, why did he start working with the kids? He answered, “I’m just doing what someone did for me when I was their age.” Lester is selfless and will do everything in his power for the success of the youth. He is ready to roll his sleeves up and do the work that needs to be done. He has worked in the Marin city school community for the last 10 years, he knows majority of the students and you can tell, when he walks Into a classroom the students are so excited. Lester is a mold of his own and we are grateful to have him as a candidate and possibly a member for the Sausalito Marin City School Board