Experience & Priorities
Serving on the Marin County Board of Education since 2025
When I joined the Marin County Board of Education in February 2025, I brought decades of experience in education. But I also came ready to learn.
County boards of education have a distinct and not widely understood role in California’s public education system. Our responsibilities include oversight of the County Office of Education budget and Marin’s Community School, hearing appeals involving interdistrict transfers and student expulsions, and fulfilling other responsibilities established under California law.
Source: Marin County Office of Education
What I've learned
Serving on the Board has deepened my understanding of Marin’s education system and the distinct roles of the County Board, County Office of Education, and our 17 local school districts.
Hearing appeals involving interdistrict transfers and expulsions has reinforced that Board decisions can have significant consequences for students and families, often at difficult moments in their lives. These decisions require careful preparation, sound judgment, and attention to both the law and individual circumstances.
Learning more about Marin’s Community School and MCOE’s career and technical education programs has reinforced my belief that students need different pathways and supportive environments in which to succeed. I have also seen how MCOE can help districts share expertise, learn from effective programs, and provide opportunities that would be difficult for every district to develop independently.
Learn more about MCOE’s impact across Marin.
A record of service
In my first year and a half on the Board, I have worked to be a prepared, collaborative, and effective trustee. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to contribute in that time.
Bringing a statewide perspective to Marin.
As our Board’s representative to the Association of California County Boards of Education (ACCBE) and the California School Boards Association, I have connected with county board representatives from around California. Those relationships have helped me understand how other county offices operate, what Marin does well, and where we can learn from others.
Encouraging thoughtful policies on cell phones in Marin schools.
Working with fellow Trustee Jill Manning Sartori, I helped initiate a resolution encouraging Marin school districts to establish comprehensive policies addressing student smartphone use. Superintendent John Carroll joined us as a co-author, and the Board unanimously approved the resolution in August 2026.
Strengthening Board governance.
I worked with MCOE and ACCBE to help initiate the Board’s first retreat and self-evaluation process, which has led to the development of strategic goals, governance norms, and an implementation framework. The work is focused on strengthening Board effectiveness, establishing clearer priorities, and building a more effective, collaborative relationship with the superintendent in service to Marin students, families, and school districts.
“Smart, thoughtful, kind, deeply experienced, and genuinely passionate about education. I wish everyone who chose to serve in public office brought this combination of experience and integrity.”
Kristen O’Malley
Former member of Cindy’s team at PBS
What matters to me
Supporting the whole student
I believe students can experience both rigor and joy in learning. Academic achievement matters enormously, but it isn't the whole story. Students also need to feel that they belong and are valued. They need opportunities to develop confidence and empathy, discover their strengths, think critically and creatively, and learn to communicate and work well with others. They also need the agency to pursue ideas, solve problems, and make a difference in the world around them.
Recognizing many paths to success
College is an excellent path for many students, but it isn't the only path to a meaningful future. I support opportunities that help young people discover what interests them, explore different careers, learn from mentors, and gain meaningful real-world experience while maintaining high expectations for every student.
Preparing for a changing world
Technology has transformed education throughout my career, and artificial intelligence will bring changes we are only beginning to understand. Schools need to respond thoughtfully, helping students learn to use new tools while developing the judgment, curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and human skills that technology cannot replace.
AI also has the potential to reduce administrative burdens and help educators and school systems work more effectively. Used responsibly, these tools can free up time and resources for what matters most: supporting students and learning.
Effective, collaborative governance
I believe board members should come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, exercise responsible oversight, and respect the expertise of the professionals responsible for implementation.
Good governance also requires collaboration and a shared commitment to getting the work done. I want to continue exploring how the independently elected County Board and County Superintendent can work constructively together, within their respective responsibilities, to support priorities that benefit Marin’s students and schools.