Folsom Cordova Unified school board election results: Lofthouse and Laret lead

Kara Lofthouse, a teacher, and newcomer Jennifer Laret are leading in early returns for Folsom Cordova Unified School District board.

This election pits teacher versus parent and incumbent versus newcomer.

Election Area 1

Jennifer Tarbox previously told The Bee she was running for Folsom Cordova school board for Election Area 1 in part because of her children’s experiences during the COVID-19 when they lost out on sports, activities and in person classes at Folsom High School.

She faces Lofthouse, who is backed by the Folsom Cordova Education Association. Lofthouse told The Bee in October that if elected, she would focus more on rebuilding trust she felt diminished after COVID-19.

With roughly 3,600 votes counted at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, Lofthouse leads with 53% to Tarbox’s 47%.

Tarbox is backed by the Sacramento County Republican Party, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, and Josh Hoover, who vacated the spot to run for California’s 7th Assembly District against Ken Cooley.

Election Area 5

The race for Folsom Cordova school board Election Area 5 pits incumbent Ed Short against Laret.

In returns from Sacramento County — approximately 1,400 votes — Laret leads with 59% to Short’s 41%.

Laret said that, if elected, she looks to replicate the success of Riverview Stem Academy at other sites with innovative programs. She also said she would promote smaller class sizes from Kindergarten through third grade to get students “the support that they need.”

Short did not respond to the request for comment for The Sacramento Bee voter guide.

This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:38 PM.