Three seats on the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education will not appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot after each candidate seeking a seat ran unopposed. Incumbent board members C. Joseph Chang and Shelley Ryan are set to continue their service on the Board of Education, while longtime San Marino parent and community volunteer Marisa Kelly will become the board’s newest member.
Since all three candidates were running unopposed, the Los Angeles County Registrar notified the district that the Board of Education contests would not appear on the November ballot. Chang, Ryan, and Kelly will instead be appointed to the seats later this year in lieu of an election. Marisa Kelly will succeed board member Joanna Lam, who chose not to seek reelection to spend more time with her young family.
=Chang has served on the Board of Education for more than 25 years, dedicating decades of volunteer service to San Marino Unified and the broader community. Ryan has served on the board for more than a decade and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Education. Full biographies for Chang and Ryan are available on the San Marino Unified School District website.
Marisa Kelly is no stranger to San Marino Unified. A district parent and longtime volunteer, she has dedicated her time to supporting SMUSD schools and the greater San Marino community.
“I have been fortunate to work with and learn from those who have served alongside me in many nonprofit organizations in our community,” said Kelly. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to be more directly involved with our school board’s work to support our districts’ long-term goals and continued progress.”
Since 2017, Marisa has been devoted to the Partnership for Awareness and Parent-Teacher Associations in several executive board and chair roles, including serving as President of PfA, Valentine Elementary School PTA, San Marino PTA Council, and San Marino High School PTSA. Marisa has served on the San Marino High School Titan Athletic Boosters board as Parliamentarian, as Titan Softball Treasurer, and as a member of the Grad Night Legacy Committee.She currently serves on the San Marino Public Library Foundation as Treasurer, works as Community Service Chair for her daughters’ San Marino National Charity League classes, and has been the chapter’s Tea and Ball Treasurer for the past few years. Marisa has been honored for her community service with the Founder’s Day Honorary Service Award and the Golden Apple Award.
Board President Francesca Gill said she is pleased to welcome Chang and Ryan back for another term and looks forward to working alongside Kelly.
“Mr. Chang and Ms. Ryan bring decades of experience and a deep commitment to our schools, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” said Gill. “Marisa has already demonstrated her dedication to our students, families, and community through her years of service. I am excited to welcome her to the board and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.”
SMUSD Superintendent Dr. Linda de la Torre looks forward to welcoming Kelly to the Board and thanked all three candidates for their willingness to serve the district.
“Marisa Kelly will be a wonderful addition to our Board of Education,” said de la Torre. “She has already given so much of her time and energy to support San Marino Unified, and we are grateful that she is willing to take on this important role. We are equally grateful to Mr. Chang and Ms. Ryan for continuing their service and sharing their experience, leadership, and commitment to our district.”
Since all three candidates were running unopposed, the Los Angeles County Registrar notified the district that the Board of Education contests would not appear on the November ballot. Chang, Ryan, and Kelly will instead be appointed to the seats later this year in lieu of an election. Marisa Kelly will succeed board member Joanna Lam, who chose not to seek reelection to spend more time with her young family.
=Chang has served on the Board of Education for more than 25 years, dedicating decades of volunteer service to San Marino Unified and the broader community. Ryan has served on the board for more than a decade and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Education. Full biographies for Chang and Ryan are available on the San Marino Unified School District website.
Marisa Kelly is no stranger to San Marino Unified. A district parent and longtime volunteer, she has dedicated her time to supporting SMUSD schools and the greater San Marino community.
“I have been fortunate to work with and learn from those who have served alongside me in many nonprofit organizations in our community,” said Kelly. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to be more directly involved with our school board’s work to support our districts’ long-term goals and continued progress.”
Since 2017, Marisa has been devoted to the Partnership for Awareness and Parent-Teacher Associations in several executive board and chair roles, including serving as President of PfA, Valentine Elementary School PTA, San Marino PTA Council, and San Marino High School PTSA. Marisa has served on the San Marino High School Titan Athletic Boosters board as Parliamentarian, as Titan Softball Treasurer, and as a member of the Grad Night Legacy Committee.She currently serves on the San Marino Public Library Foundation as Treasurer, works as Community Service Chair for her daughters’ San Marino National Charity League classes, and has been the chapter’s Tea and Ball Treasurer for the past few years. Marisa has been honored for her community service with the Founder’s Day Honorary Service Award and the Golden Apple Award.
Board President Francesca Gill said she is pleased to welcome Chang and Ryan back for another term and looks forward to working alongside Kelly.
“Mr. Chang and Ms. Ryan bring decades of experience and a deep commitment to our schools, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” said Gill. “Marisa has already demonstrated her dedication to our students, families, and community through her years of service. I am excited to welcome her to the board and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.”
SMUSD Superintendent Dr. Linda de la Torre looks forward to welcoming Kelly to the Board and thanked all three candidates for their willingness to serve the district.
“Marisa Kelly will be a wonderful addition to our Board of Education,” said de la Torre. “She has already given so much of her time and energy to support San Marino Unified, and we are grateful that she is willing to take on this important role. We are equally grateful to Mr. Chang and Ms. Ryan for continuing their service and sharing their experience, leadership, and commitment to our district.”