Herstein, Chen, Scolnick Lead Menlo Park School Race

Early returns show three candidates ahead in the race for three open seats on the Menlo Park City School District board.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Primary Education

Herstein, Chen, Scolnick Lead Menlo Park School Race

Live Poll

Do you trust your local school board to run the district well?

As of 11 p.m. on election night, Maya Herstein led with 3,244 votes (29.8%), followed by Sherwin Chen with 2,942 (27.1%) and Jed Scolnick with 2,709 (24.9%). Andrew Barnes trailed with 1,977 votes (18.2%).

Why it matters

Three open seats on the Menlo Park City School District board are being filled, and the early returns indicate which candidates currently hold the lead. The race will be decided by votes cast on election night and in subsequent counting.

Early returns as of 11 p.m. on November 3, 2026 show Maya Herstein with 3,244 votes (29.8%), Sherwin Chen with 2,942 (27.1%), Jed Scolnick with 2,709 (24.9%), and Andrew Barnes with 1,977 (18.2%). Final certified totals and the ultimate order of finish have not yet been reported.

The players

Sherwin Chen

Sherwin Chen is a candidate seeking a third term on the Menlo Park City School District board after first being elected in 2018.

Jed Scolnick

Jed Scolnick is a Menlo Park City School District board candidate who pioneered San Mateo County's first districtwide e-bike safety policy during his first term.

Andrew Barnes

Andrew Barnes is a candidate in the Menlo Park City School District race who chairs the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee for Measure U.

The details

Maya Herstein is the parent of three students in the district, and Sherwin Chen, who was first elected in 2018, is seeking a third term. Jed Scolnick pioneered San Mateo County's first districtwide e-bike safety policy during his first term on the board.

2018: Sherwin Chen first elected to the Menlo Park City School District board.
November 3, 2026: Election night, with early returns reported as of 11 p.m.

Season Trajectory

The early returns place three candidates with prior school-board or policy experience at the front of the field, shaping who will set district priorities for the next term. Jed Scolnick's earlier work on San Mateo County's first districtwide e-bike safety policy is part of the record voters are weighing.

Residents of Menlo Park will see three new or returning members on the school board, which sets district policy affecting their children's schools. Parents and voters can track the final certified results to learn who will serve.

The takeaway

Election-night totals are early and can shift, so voters should follow certified results before drawing conclusions about who will serve on the Menlo Park City School District board.