HomeCommunity NewsIncumbents, Barberie Get Three Open Seats At Board Election

Incumbents, Barberie Get Three Open Seats At Board Election

It might be a stretch to say that a 17-year, four-term incumbent’s re-election could be considered an upset victory, but given the enthusiastic climate surrounding the recent race for three seats on the San Marino School Board, the fact that C. Joseph Chang garnered the most votes might just be considered so.

Chang garnered 2,026 votes, or 22.4%, in winning his board seat for the fifth time. Fellow incumbent Shelley Ryan earned 1,548 votes (17.12%) in defending her seat and Corey Barberie outdistanced four other first-time candidates to claim the third post, which belonged to two-term Boardmember Nam Jack, who chose at the outset of the campaign not to run. Barberie gathered 1,378 votes (15.24%) to hold off Michael Killackey.

Possibly due to his extensive experience with the situation, Chang was humble in victory.

“This time, I was not running for myself, I was running for San Marino’s great tradition,” Chang said. “I was running for Andy Barth.”

Barth and Chang were both first elected in 2001 and served two terms together before Barth stepped down. Barth became the target of derision at a town hall meeting earlier this year when  a community member criticized the new recreation facility currently under construction at Huntington Middle School which Barth has helped to fund.

Chang also said he refused to run on his reputation and “worked harder than ever.”

“I think some people would have liked to see me retire, but I felt the need to stabilize the school district,” Chang told The Tribune early Wednesday morning with a laugh. “And there is much more work to do. It is my hope we can bring the community together.”

Chang reverted to his original campaign style of knocking on doors.

“Every day, I did my homework,” he said of the daily routine. “It was a tough journey, but I felt it was the right thing to do.” After significant prodding, Chang admitted he was “very happy” with the mandate.

Ryan, who was first elected to the school board in November 2013, dedicated her victory “to the children of our district.”

“It is my hope that we can move the community forward,” Ryan said early Wednesday morning as she arrived at Ynez Elementary School in Monterey Park, a K-8th grade school with 900 students, where she serves as principal. “I am hoping we can find the common good of San Marino.”

Ryan also said she will continue to build relationships with institutions such as The Huntington and Caltech, both of which host educational co-ops with students from San Marino High School.

“I think that opportunities such as these provide very valuable learning experiences for our young people,” she said.

Barberie emerged from a field of first time candidates that included, in order of finish, Mike Killackey (1,279 votes, 14.14%), Jane Chon (1,184, 13.09%), Dr. Steve Sommers (1,139, 12.59%) and John Gabriel (490, 5.42%).

“I would like to first thank all those who supported my campaign,” Barberie told The Tribune. “Having never run for office, there is no way I would have made it to this point without their support and guidance, especially my wife Jennifer, who was by my side every step of the way. It has been a great experience being able to speak to so many passionate members of our community during this campaign.”

Since the voters apparently listened to him, Barberie said he will return the favor.

“I will continue to listen and hope to represent the community well,” Barberie added. “One of our first tasks will be finding a new superintendent. I hope adding my perspective to the board will help move this and other critical tasks forward with the input and inclusion of the community.”

The recently elected board members will be sworn in at the meeting on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.

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