Unopposed Candidates To Fill 3 San Marino School Board Seats

SAN MARINO, CA — Three seats on the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education will not appear on the Nov. 3 ballot because each candidate ran unopposed.

Incumbents C. Joseph Chang and Shelley Ryan will continue serving, while longtime district parent and community volunteer Marisa Kelly will join the board. All three will be appointed later this year in lieu of an election, following notification from the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters.

Kelly will succeed Joanna Lam, who said she chose not to seek reelection to spend more time with her young family.

Chang has served on the board for more than 25 years.

Ryan, the board’s current vice president, has served for more than a decade.

Kelly has held numerous school and community volunteer roles since 2017, including president of Partnership for Awareness, Valentine Elementary School PTA, San Marino PTA Council and San Marino High School PTSA. She has also served as parliamentarian for the high school’s Titan Athletic Boosters, treasurer for Titan Softball and a member of the Grad Night Legacy Committee.

Kelly's current roles include treasurer of the San Marino Public Library Foundation and community service chair for her daughters’ San Marino National Charity League classes.

She has received the Founder’s Day Honorary Service Award and Golden Apple Award.

Kelly said her work with local nonprofit organizations has prepared her to take a more direct role in supporting the district’s long-term goals.

Board President Francesca Gill welcomed Chang and Ryan’s continued service and praised Kelly’s commitment to students and families.

“Marisa has already demonstrated her dedication to our students, families, and community through her years of service,” Gill said in a statement. “I am excited to welcome her to the board and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.”

SMUSD Superintendent Linda de la Torre also welcomed Kelly and thanked all three candidates for their willingness to serve, citing the experience and leadership Chang and Ryan bring.

She said Kelly "has already given so much of her time and energy to support San Marino Unified, and we are grateful that she is willing to take on this important role. We are equally grateful to Mr. Chang and Ms. Ryan for continuing their service and sharing their experience, leadership and commitment to our district.”

Full biographies for Chang and Ryan are on the San Marino Unified School District website.