Sequoia Union Voters Face Two Contested School‑Board Races Over Honors Classes and TIDE Closure

Overview

• Two Sequoia Union High School District board seats for Areas A and D are on the Nov. 3 ballot, with Area A a direct contest between incumbent Amy Koo and challenger Alon Shiran and Area D complicated by Sathvik Nori’s August withdrawal with his name still on the ballot.
• Recent reporting published Tuesday clarified sharp contrasts in Area A: Koo defends the board’s decision to close TIDE Academy and opposes restoring all ninth‑grade honors, while Shiran pledges to restore honors courses and hold regular office hours to boost transparency.
• In Area D, Michael Dekshenieks is actively asking voters to redirect support to him after Nori withdrew and endorsed Dekshenieks, a factor that could split or redirect votes because Nori’s name remains on the ballot.
• All candidates told reporters the district is spending too much on legal fees and settlements as SUHSD faces multiple lawsuits alleging discrimination, sexual assault and wrongful termination, and they say cutting those costs should free funds for classrooms.
• The contests center on rebuilding community trust after the TIDE closure and recent governance disputes, and the outcome could change course offerings, board communication practices, and fiscal oversight that affect students’ academic options and district budgets.