Manghani, Seitz take the lead in Rancho Santa Fe School board election

In early results, a tight race unfolded between the four candidates in the Rancho Santa Fe School District for the two available seats. The top spots shifted as the votes came in throughout election night on Nov. 9 with incumbent Jee Manghani and challenger Paul Seitz taking the top spots and Cristian Zarcu and incumbent Kali Kim trailing.

The race was extremely close with just 16 votes separating Seitz and Zarcu.

Manghani will be re-elected to his second term. Currently serving as board president, Manghani is a parent of two R. Roger Rowe students and runs a software consulting company. Seitz is a Rowe parent and Marine Corps veteran who now trains, boards and shows horses at his ranch in Rancho Santa Fe.

Although the election results are not yet official, at the RSF School board’s Nov. 10 meeting the board shared their gratitude for the departing trustee Kim and her contributions to the district.

“Out of the last four years, you are one of the hardest working board members, you bring things to light and perspectives that I hadn’t even thought about,” Manghani said. “I really respect you for that and you’ve done a lot for the district.”

In San Dieguito Union School District’s Area 3, Trustee Area 3, which includes a portion of Rancho Santa Fe, Jane Lea Smith had a significant lead over Sheila King. The new trustee will fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Melisse Mossy.

Smith, a Del Mar resident, is a former special education teacher and school administrator.

In San Dieguito’s Area 5, a tight race unfolded between Phan Anderson and the incumbent trustee Julie Bronstein. With the early returns, Anderson has the lead to represent Area 5, which includes the communities of Pacific Highlands Ranch and Carmel Valley.

Anderson, a parent and immigrant from Vietnam, worked as a private-sector software engineer for 15 years.

In Area 1, which represents Encinitas, Rimga Viskanta appears to have beaten out challenger David Carattini.

This election was the Solana Beach School District’s first since transitioning to trustee areas from at-large elections. The incumbent Gaylin Allbaugh gained an edge over Chuck Ringer in Area 4, which includes a portion of Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley and Pacific Highlands Ranch.

In Area 1, which represents Solana Beach, the incumbent Debra Schade is poised to win with a sizable lead over challenger Aubrey Huff.

For all results, go to sandiegouniontribune.com, sdvote.com and see below: