We are pleased to announce that Mark Koerner was appointed to the SRCS Board of Education on Jan. 29. Trustee Koerner fills the open seat for Trustee Area 1 vacated by former Trustee Gina Daly for the remainder of the term, though 2024.

Mark is a passionate advocate for the arts, trades and financial literacy in education. He currently has an eighth grader at Miller Creek Middle School and a tenth grader at Terra Linda High School. Mark serves on the Miller Creek Budget and LCAP Advisory Committee, the Miller Creek School Site Council and the UCLA Venture Fund Investment Committee. Mark brings over 20 years of experience in technology, operations and product management, spanning projects in ed-tech, healthcare and entertainment. He currently leads an innovation and design consulting firm with projects in ed-tech and play-based learning. 

He previously served as VP of Product and Co-CEO of Dictionary.com, where he led the long-term strategic roadmap, including building educational products and tools, and served student communities in Oakland and Detroit with education-based services and events. Mark has also held leadership roles in a health and wellness platform and a youth-based virtual world, managing product strategy, fundraising and financial performance. He started his career as an artist for Disney Feature Animation Films and a production designer for Sony Computer Entertainment.

He is committed to perpetuating education in the arts, communication and business to set the foundation for students to find careers marked by innovation, creativity and joy. He believes that education has the power to build healthy and happy communities and bring all people together.

When he's not working, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons and their adventurous dog Riggs. He also loves traveling, building, exploring and taking things apart. Currently, he's rekindling his artistic passion by attempting to master plein-air watercolor painting.

Provisional Appointment Process to Fill Seat

UPDATE:

As a reminder, San Rafael City Schools has a vacancy on its Board of Education for Trustee Area 1. The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 4 pm. Public interviews of candidates will take place at a Special Board Meeting on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6 pm. See below for more information.

SRCS has launched a provisional appointment process to fill an open seat on its Board of Education. The open seat was created when Gina Daly recently submitted her resignation from the Board effective December 12, 2023. SRCS is grateful for her distinguished service and leadership on the Board.

Ms. Daly was elected to a four-year term in 2020 to represent Trustee Area 1; therefore anyone who applies to fill her vacant seat for the remainder of that term must reside in area 1 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 applications 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 on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 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 1
• 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 Tuesday, January 23, 2024. 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, January 29, 2024 at 6 pm. The four current trustees will interview candidates who submit completed applications by the deadline. At the close of interviews, the trustees will deliberate and select the successful candidate during the Special Meeting. At the end of the January 29 Special Meeting, the successful candidate will immediately 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 on Jan. 18 or Jan. 25.

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.