Grossmont Union Board Seats Go to Voters Nov. 3

Three Grossmont Union High School District board seats are on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election, with candidates campaigning on transparency, accountability and student focus.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education

Grossmont Union Board Seats Go to Voters Nov. 3

Live Poll

Do you trust your local school board to put students first?

Three seats on the Grossmont Union High School District Board are up for election on November 3, 2026, affecting a district that serves more than 16,000 students. Challengers and incumbents are campaigning on transparency, accountability and a focus on students.

Why it matters

The outcome could change the board's majority and help determine the direction of the district that serves La Mesa-area families. Candidates have pointed to the board's 2025 decision to cut librarian positions, which was later reinstated after community pushback.

Three seats are contested in the November 3, 2026 election for the Grossmont Union High School District Board, which serves more than 16,000 students. Election results and the incumbents' positions were not available at the time of reporting.

The players

Grossmont Union High School District

The public school district serving more than 16,000 students across the East County region of San Diego County.

Jenee Littrell

A district employee of 15 years running for the Area 3 board seat against incumbent Gary Woods.

Gary Woods

The incumbent Area 3 board member being challenged by Jenee Littrell in the upcoming election.

Steve Mull

A former principal of Lakeside Middle School for 20 years who is seeking the Area 4 board seat.

Jim Kelly

The incumbent Area 5 board member being challenged by Pete Mergens, a longtime West Hills High School teacher.

The details

Jenee Littrell, who has worked 15 years in the district, is challenging incumbent Gary Woods in Area 3 and says she is running partly over the board's 2025 decision to cut librarian positions. In Area 4, Robert Shield has vacated the seat, and Charissa McCullough, Jimmy Merino and Steve Mull are competing for it, while Pete Mergens is challenging incumbent James "Jim" Kelly in Area 5.

2025: Board voted to cut librarian positions, later reinstated after community pushback
November 3, 2026: Election Day for three Grossmont Union board seats

Season Trajectory

The 2025 librarian cuts and their reversal after community pushback are now shaping a board election that could shift the board's majority. Whether voters treat that reversal as a settled matter or a reason for change will set the tone for the district's direction.

Voters in the district's areas can cast ballots for these three seats on November 3, 2026. Candidates' campaign positions on transparency, accountability and student focus will be visible to residents before that date.

The takeaway

Local school board races often turn on budget choices that directly affect classrooms and libraries. Reviewing where each candidate stands on those decisions before November 3 gives voters a clearer basis for their choice.