In other local election news, Monte Sereno Mayor Erin Garner also indicated that he is planning to run for re-election in November. He was elected to office in November of 2000, along with his running mate this year, Councilman David Baxter.

Granas said he filed his paperwork for the position on July 19. After serving for the past four years, he will be the most senior on the board should he win the race. Granas said he has enjoyed contributing and learning about how the board and district function. While he no longer has children in the district, Granas said he's looking forward to serving another four years. He said what he appreciates about the board is that the trustees don't try to push forth their personal agendas, but keep the best interests of the students in mind.

Board President Dorothy "Dot" Rouse, a retired teacher and longtime Los Gatos resident, is also up for re-election but said she won't be running.

"She's very beloved, and we're going to miss her," said Suzanne Boxer-Gassman, district assistant superintendent of instruction and personnel.

Rouse said she originally only intended to serve on the board for four years, but that was eight years ago. Rouse said she's ready to get on with her retirement and enjoy the benefits of traveling. She has no children or grandchildren in the district.

Formerly a teacher in the district for almost 25 years, Rouse said she volunteered as a trustee as a way to give back to the district.

"I'm pushing 70 real hard, and it's time [to step down]," she said, adding that serving on subcommittees and listening to community concerns is a time-consuming job. "It takes more time than you might think with two meetings a month."

Rouse said she'll especially miss the people she's had the opportunity of working with, as well as the great community—but she won't miss the meetings. Her advice to those running to fill her seat is to really listen, stay open-minded and "do your homework" on issues that come before the board.

"Being on a school board often requires that you compromise," Rouse said. "I've had to be involved in making cuts that were just painful."

Rouse said she and Granas face the end of their terms in December, with the new trustees sworn into office mostly likely in November.

"It has just been wonderful. I'm so glad I did it," Rouse said. "We've been through some hard times, but this community is just amazing."

According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters as of press time, Christopher Miller, a 23-year-old Los Gatos native, had filed his paperwork for one of the two open seats, as had Kathleen Zdanky, a member of the district's Bond Oversight Committee. Zdanky could not be reached for comment.

Miller grew up attending Daves Avenue Elementary School, Raymond J. Fisher Middle School and is a 1999 graduate of Los Gatos High School. He regularly attends school district board meetings, and has been an employee of the district for the past five years. He has also served in the neighboring Union School District as a student teacher. Miller is a 2003 graduate of Santa Clara University, where he majored in history and worked to receive his teaching credential.

"I want to give back to a school district that treated me well," he said, adding that his platform and ballot statement have yet to be finalized.