Pacifica School Board Election
Four seats. Four candidates.
Grace Sobieski
Christopher Swiedler
Tiffany Button
Kelly Mendoza, PhD
Meet four candidates for Pacifica School Board who are ready to listen, lead, and get to work for our students, teachers, and families.
Four Pacifica School Board candidates.
Four seats.
Kelly Mendoza, Christopher Swiedler, Tiffany Button and Grace Sobieski for Pacifica School Board.
Our district faces real challenges, and the next board will have to address problems that have been allowed to grow. They are solvable with discipline and transparent, accountable leadership. Here is how we will deliver for Pacifica families, teachers, staff and taxpayers:
Our district faces real challenges, and the next board will have to address problems that have been allowed to grow. They are solvable with discipline and transparent, accountable leadership. Here is how we will deliver for Pacifica families, teachers, staff and taxpayers:
Thank you to the AAUW for hosting the Pacifica School Board candidate forum.
You can watch it here.
Thank you for your support!
"Grace, Christopher, Tiffany and Kelly understand that schools are the foundation of a thriving community. They listen thoughtfully, collaborate effectively, and are dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. I am confident they will bring integrity, transparency, and sound judgment to the School Board".
Seema Kantak, Former Paciifca Education Foundation board member, longtime resident.
"After meeting the Let’s Get To Work 26 team,
I am deeply impressed by their vision for our district. These candidates are
passionate, insightful, and fully prepared to lead.
I am convinced Pacifica requires this fresh start, and I wholeheartedly endorse their mission to deliver real results for every student, family, and neighbor throughout our vibrant community."
Lyla Reinero, Parent, Activist
"After several challenging years, I believe our school district needs strong, engaged leadership. These candidates bring the leadership and different strengths that our district needs right now. I’m proud to support them and hopeful about the positive change they can bring".
Jennifer Cleary, Early Childhood Educator
Different PERSPECTIVES. Different priorities. Different platforms.
WHY WE RUN AS A SLATE
We respect each others judgment, strengths
and perspectives.
Our different backgrounds complement each other.
We work through differences respectfully.
HOW WE WILL SERVE
We expect to disagree. We are not a voting bloc.
We will form opinions independently.
We will decide openly as a board AND be transparent after.
We are different, but we share important values
Listen first
Board decisions affect everyone. We will reach out, show up, hear different viewpoints, and establish honest dialogue early, so our entire community has a voice before, during and after big decisions.
Ask hard questions
Ask hard questions
We don’t agree on everything, and that’s a strength. We will ask tough questions of ourselves and of the district, challenge assumptions, and work toward the best solutions for students.
We are different but we share important values
Lead with transparency
We believe in sharing information openly, and being clear about how and why decisions are made.
Be accountable
We will take responsibility for our decisions, follow through on commitments, and always keep students at the center of our work.
We will take responsibility for our decisions, follow through on commitments, and always keep students at the center of our work.
Watch the Pacifica School Board Candidate Forum, hosted by AAUW Pacifica.
Watch the all candidate forum, hosted by the Pacifica Democrats and recorded by Pacifica Coast Television (PCT).
Grace Sobieski
4-year term
Students First
Parent of four · M.Ed., Elementary Education
Early Educator · Passionate Volunteer
"I've been the parent in the classroom, the volunteer at the book fair, and the person in the audience at the board meeting. I know what it looks like when a district shows up for its teachers and its students, and I know what it looks like when it doesn't. I want to help build the kind of district that is future oriented and focused on resourcing our children to be succesful social emotionally, academically, and beyond."
"I've been the parent in the classroom, the volunteer at the book fair, and the person in the audience at the board meeting. I know what it looks like when a district shows up for its teachers and its students, and I know what it looks like when it doesn't. I want to help build the kind of district that is future oriented and focused on resourcing our children to be succesful social emotionally, academically, and beyond."
Tiffany Button
4-year term
Strong Leadership
23 years in Biotech Compliance and Oversight Parent · Strong Leader
"Pacifica schools are currently operating as a 'going concern' under county fiscal oversight.
For 23 years, I have been the person in the room charged with compliance and oversight, asking the hard questions to ensure the right decisions are made. I’m running for the school board because our district needs leaders who will require a clear plan, collaborate with the superintendent to navigate difficult choices, and hold the administration strictly accountable for following through."
"Pacifica schools are currently operating as a 'going concern' under county fiscal oversight.
For 23 years, I have been the person in the room charged with compliance and oversight, asking the hard questions to ensure the right decisions are made. I’m running for the school board because our district needs leaders who will require a clear plan, collaborate with the superintendent to navigate difficult choices, and hold the administration strictly accountable for following through."
Christopher Swiedler
4-year term
Strengthen Community Engagement
Parent of three · Engineering Director
· Large team leader
"I believe our schools are strongest when there is open dialogue, thoughtful discussion, and trust. Important decisions require more than a vote—they require meaningful conversation, careful analysis, empathy for those impacted, and clear communication about the path forward."
Kelly Mendoza, PhD
2-year term
Plan for a Clear Future
Education Programs Leader
Parent · Strategic Thinker.
“We don’t serve students well by simply reacting to what’s in front of us. We need to understand the full picture, listen to perspectives beyond our own, consider the consequences of our choices, and plan for what comes next for our students. That’s how we create schools that are ready for the future, and prepare students for an evolving world.”
Campaign Trail - opportunites to meet us
Saturday, September 26th
11:30a - 1:00pm
Meet and greet after the Fog Fest Parade!
See us in the parade, and afterwords, come talk with us! Light refreshments will be served.
Location 128 Pacific, just south of the library
Wednesday, October 14th
This event has been cancelled by CSEA
All candidate forum hosted by CSEA
Thursday, October 15th
10:30a - 12:00pm
Coffee with Grace Sobieski
Chit Chat Cafe (Manor)
5 West Manor Dr, Pacifica 94044
Saturday, October 17th
10:30a - 12:30pm
AAUW Pacifica All School Board Candidates Debate
AAUW Pacifica Candidate Forum
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
Online via Zoom
The forum is open to the public, but advance registration is required.
Register for the Candidate Forum:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VW9apA97R7K1Nu211Gd0eQ
After registering, you will receive an email from Zoom with information about how to join the webinar.
LET'S GET TO WORK
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