LVUSD Board Race: Vadehra, Menges Hold Onto Slim Lead

CALABASAS, CA — Just a few votes separate the three candidates vying for two spots on the Las Virgenes Unified School Board. See the results below from LA County, and add in the latest totals from Ventura County, which votes in the election because Bell Canyon is part of Las Virgenes Unified School District.

A winner cannot technically be declared until both counties certify the totals. LA County anticipates providing ten updates to results through Nov. 30, according to Agoura Hills City Clerk Kimberly Rodrigues. Updates are scheduled Thursday, Friday, and then next Tuesday and Friday.

"I think that the close margins seen in the voting results reflect the similarities in the candidates," said frontrunner Linda Menges, citing safe reopening strategies, racial equity, and addressing budget cuts and declining enrollment as common causes. "Looking forward, I have been honored to serve on the School Board for the past five years and I would be honored to represent our community on the board for four more years."

"There are still many votes to come in, but I am cautiously hopeful. I am very grateful to our incredible community for all their support. It will be an honor and privilege to serve, if given the opportunity," said Kate Vadehra, a pediatrician and active LVUSD volunteer.
The district is widely considered to be one of the best in the state, and is a major draw for families considering settling in the area. Still, it has not been immune to the challenges arising from distance learning, and education during a pandemic was a major topic during the race.
The three women debated how to bring back students as safely as possible. Recently, Las Virgenes was the first public school district in Los Angeles County to be granted a waiver to bring back students in TK-12 to campus, and earlier in October students were special needs were permitted to return.
Vadhera, a pediatrician, said that her medical expertise would help children return safely. Menges, the race's only incumbent who has put six children through district schools, advocated for special needs students struggling with distance learning.
Candidates also discussed how to combat enrollment that's declining two percent each year, budgetary concerns, and how to improve diversity and inclusiveness in a mostly white school district.
"I hear equity and I hear inclusion and I'm hearing diversity but I'm hearing words and I'm not seeing actions or deeds," Kowalski, a Black candidate active in social justice education, said during an October candidates forum. Kowalski did not respond to Patch for comment on the race's results.

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