Tam Union High School District board: meet the candidates

Seven candidates are running for three seats on the Tamalpais Union High School District board in the Nov. 3 election. This week, each of them gets a turn here. We asked all seven the same two questions: who they are and why they're running, and what their top two priorities would be. Every answer had a 90-word limit.

We're running them in the order they filed to run, earliest first. At the end of the week, we'll publish all seven candidates' answers on one page of our website so you can read them side by side.

On Monday we gave Brian Sutherland his turn. Today you hear from Cynthia Roenisch, a two-term incumbent who filed July 24; Maria Sandoval, a Spanish teacher who filed July 28; and Leslie Harlander, a retired civil engineer who filed July 30.

Briefing: Tell us about yourself in a sentence or two: your background and why you're running.

Roenisch: I am a former Fortune 100 litigator and a 17-year-and counting high school AP English teacher. I have been an elected trustee for 21 years, 13 in the Kentfield School District and 8 in the Tam Union district. I combine proven experience in high performing districts with a lawyer's mind and an educator's insight. Both of my children graduated from Redwood High School.

Briefing: What are your top two priorities for the district if elected?

Roenisch: I will continue my focus on securing academic rigor for all 4,200 students and making fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of the District. Fiscal responsibility has allowed us to balance our budgets, keep our teachers the best paid in the North Bay with a 35% raise over the last 8 years and maintain a responsible 17% reserve. My platform is built on academic rigor, fiscal responsibility and proven experience.

Briefing: Tell us about yourself in a sentence or two: your background and why you're running.

Sandoval: I am a Spanish teacher with more than twenty years of experience in public, charter, independent, and community education. I have also served as a Marin County Library Commissioner and am the author of bilingual children's books that promote literacy and cultural understanding. I am running because I believe excellent schools are built through strong academics, thoughtful leadership, and meaningful partnerships with families, educators, and the community. I hope to contribute a perspective shaped by living, learning, and working across multiple educational systems, cultures, and languages.

Briefing: What are your top two priorities for the district if elected?

Sandoval: My first priority would be rebuilding trust through listening, respectful dialogue, and transparent decision-making. Strong schools depend on strong relationships among students, families, educators, staff, and district leadership. My second priority would be ensuring that academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand. High expectations, excellent teaching, and meaningful support systems are not competing priorities, they strengthen one another. Every student deserves to graduate prepared for college, careers, and civic life with the knowledge, confidence, empathy, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive.

Briefing: Tell us about yourself in a sentence or two: your background and why you're running.

Harlander: I'm a Bay Area native, and Mill Valley has been home for the past 40 years. I recently retired as a civil engineer/program manager — and before that, I worked as a Registered Nurse. I also served on the TUHSD board, finishing my term in 2024. I'm running again because I want to support our new district leadership team and keep building on the progress our high schools have made to ensure all 4,200+ students have access to a strong and supportive education.

Briefing: What are your top two priorities for the district if elected?

Harlander: Our schools have some challenging decisions ahead, and my first priority is to work with the board to weigh competing priorities while maintaining excellence and staying within our fiscal realities. My second priority is to help the district build a stronger, more inclusive approach to community involvement. We are fortunate to have a supportive community, and we should be engaging with them regularly, not only when a tax measure is on the table. The challenges ahead will require real partnership with our community.

🗳️ The remaining three candidates will appear in Friday’s newsletter.

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