Everyone living in Santa Clara should have an interest in the school board race irrespective of whether one has a child in a city school. Nothing effects the desirability of a community more than the perceived quality of the schools. I’m voting for Christine Koltermann to remain in her post as board president because she is willing to resist pressure from special interests, and she fairly represents all stakeholders in the system. Christine understands better than anyone that a dollar in the school budget can only be spent once and as a board member she is independent and not beholden to anyone when it is time to make difficult spending decisions. This doesn’t always make her popular with certain groups but I feel confident that she is realistic in viewing budgets and making outlays and in doing this reflects the interests of the broader community.