As of 6 p.m. on Saturday night, Renee Cavanaugh, a retired educator who is the only incumbent seeking reelection, was leading the four Unified School District candidates at 31.34%, with Fitzhugh Lee, a retired naval aviator, trailing closely behind at 29.45%.
Bill Sandke, a former Coronado council member, was in third with 22.2% of the votes counted so far, followed by Shawnee Barton Merriman, a mom of four Coronado Unified students, at 17.01%. Barton Merriman told The Coronado News that she concedes.
Barton Merriman, who noted she ran against an incumbent, a candidate who was endorsed by the mayor and a former city council member, said she is grateful for the support of her family and friends throughout her campaign.
“Even though we were hoping for a different outcome, I am proud of the effort we put in and the votes we earned,” wrote Barton Merriman in a statement. “Caregivers in our district want communicative, child-focused leaders who are invested in supporting our schools and educators.”
Barton Merriman also congratulated the two candidates that continue leading the race for the open seats following election day.
“I wish them the best of luck,” added Barton Merriman. “I’m grateful for the friendliness they’ve each shown me. We are lucky that people with so much experience in their respective fields are willing to step up and serve our students.”
Three candidates are now vying for two open seats on the school’s governing board.
Updates will continue in the following days, with the next release set for 6 p.m. on Saturday. In a nailbiter race, it is unclear how long it may take to determine which trustee candidates have won.
Cavanaugh is the current member of a board whose biggest issue is addressing the district’s declining reserve balance amid a shift to a new funding system. She said the district is on path to maintain fiscal solvency.
Lee has previously collaborated with CUSD leaders in a program designed to inform parents about the books their students check out from the schools. Lee has said this program is a process he calls critically examining instructional material.
Sandke, a Coronado High School grad himself, said he considers the district’s budget shortfalls to be an issue that is “several years down the line.”
He said the partnership between the school system and the city is tremendously important and looks forward to making that even better. To Sandke, it is important to be a part of the Basic Aid funding improvements in the 2027-28 school year.
