We are pleased to announce that Dr. Wing Keung Jason Lau was appointed to the SRCS Board of Education on Feb. 14, filling the vacant seat for Trustee Area 2. 

Dr. Lau has over 20 years of extensive teaching and administrative experience in higher education. He currently serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Life at Santa Clara University and an associate faculty member at Santa Rosa Junior College. He also has worked in administrative capacities at College of Marin, Sonoma State University and University of Northern Iowa.

Dr. Lau traveled from Hong Kong to the United States to further his education, and became the first member of his family to receive a college degree. He received a B.A. in Leisure Services (summa cum laude) and M.A. in Leisure, Youth and Human Services Administration from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). As the recipient of the prestigious Heritage Honours Young Alumnus Award, Dr. Lau was inducted into the UNI's Elinor A. Crawford and William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence Class of 2016. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from The University of Iowa, and is one of only 39 Certified Park & Recreation Executives (CPREs) in California!

Prior to moving to the US, he received his diploma in social work, with a focus on family and youth, from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Upon graduation, he served as a registered social worker and project manager for TREATS, a charitable organization in Hong Kong specializing in social integration and inclusion for children and youth of all abilities and backgrounds.

In the community, Dr. Lau volunteers his time on numerous local, national and international organizations, such as the Marin YMCA of the Greater San Francisco, NAFSA Association of International Educators, Friends of China Camp, Marin Chinese Cultural Association, Marin Center for Independent Living as well as on the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee for College of Marin, providing oversight for a $265 million general obligation bond program. He has been an active Rotarian since 2018, currently serving as club treasurer for the Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise, and is a graduate of Leadership Novato and San Rafael Leadership Institute. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Marin County Child Care Commission.

Dr. Lau lives in San Rafael with his wife, a finance administrator at UC Berkeley, and two children. He and his son enjoy volunteering at the campground kiosk in China Camp State Park every weekend. He is fluent in Cantonese. As a first-generation college graduate, new immigrant and English learner, Dr. Lau is committed to closing the achievement gap, promoting student success and fostering an empowering learning environment that enriches the lives of our students and our communities.

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Feb. 13, 2025 Update

On Dec. 16, Lucia Martel-Dow announced her resignation from her position as a member of the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education, effective Dec. 17.

At the Jan. 6 Special Meeting, the Board approved a provisional appointment process to fill the open Board seat. Ms. Martel-Dow was elected to a four-year term in 2022 to represent Trustee Area 2; therefore, anyone who applied to fill her vacant seat for the remainder of that term must reside in Area 2. Based on California Education Code, the Board is required to make a provisional appointment within 60 days of the vacancy or an election would be ordered to fill the vacancy. In the case of the current vacant seat, the Board has until ­­­­­­­­­Feb. 14 to make a provisional appointment or an election would be called.

On Feb. 10, the Board convened a Special Meeting (open to the public) to make a provisional appointment for the vacant Board seat. Two candidates, Mr. Mehrdad Moaveni and Dr. Jason Lau, had submitted their completed applications and they were both interviewed by the Board. After much deliberation, the Board was unable to come to a decision to move forward with appointing a candidate, and the meeting was adjourned.

Superintendent Carmen Diaz Ghysels has since learned that one of the applicants, Mr. Moaveni, withdrew his candidacy.

Given the developments, the Board will reconvene for a Special Meeting on Feb. 14 at 4 pm (open to the public) to consider appointing the sole remaining applicant, Dr. Lau, to fill the vacant seat. If the Board moves to appoint Dr. Lau, he will be sworn into office.

Jan. 7, 2025 

San Rafael City Schools has launched a provisional appointment process to fill an open seat on its Board of Education. The open seat was created when Lucia Martel-Dow submitted her resignation from the Board effective Dec. 17, 2024. SRCS is grateful for her distinguished service and leadership during her four-year tenure on the Board.

Ms. Martel-Dow was elected to a four-year term in 2022 to represent Trustee Area 2; therefore anyone who applies to fill her vacant seat for the remainder of that term must reside in area 2 in addition to the qualifications outlined below. Learn more about trustee-area elections and view a map of the areas. 

SRCS is now seeking qualified applicants to fill the open Board seat. Click here to view the application or call 415-492-3233 to arrange to pick-up an application. Applications are due by Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at 4 pm.

The qualifications for the open seat include:

• 18 years of age or older
• A citizen of the state of California
• A resident of the SRCS Trustee Area 2
• A registered voter
• Not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state to hold a civil office

Additionally, please find some important details below:

• Applications [linked here] with an attached resume must be received by the Office of the Superintendent no later than 4 pm on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Applications may be submitted electronically to superintendent@srcs.org or mailed or hand delivered to the Superintendent’s Office at 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903. 
   
• Public interviews of candidates will take place at a Special Board Meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 at 4 pm. The four current Board members will interview candidates who submit completed applications by the deadline. At the close of interviews, the Board members will deliberate and select the successful candidate during the Special Meeting. During the Feb. 10, 2025 Regular Meeting that immediately follows, the successful candidate will be sworn into office. 
   
• Note that candidates will have the opportunity to schedule an informational meeting with Superintendent Diaz Ghysels to discuss roles and responsibilities prior to the interviews.
   
• The appointee will hold office until the next Board of Education election for Trustee Area 2, which occurs at the next General Election in November 2026.

School Board members are local public officials governing the community’s public schools. They set the direction for the schools and establish the structure to support district operations. Board meetings for San Rafael City Schools are typically held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month; Closed Session usually begins at 5 pm and Open Session begins at 6 pm. Learn more about Board meetings. 

Candidates are encouraged to contact 415-492-3233 or superintendent@srcs.org if they have any questions.