This November’s local election will provide some fresh blood to the school district board. With one board member stepping down, numerous new candidates, including a Skyline alumnus, have entered the race in an effort to fill her seat.

The current incumbents are David Mandelkern, Karen Schwartz and Patricia Miljanich. Mandelkern and Schwartz are both seeking re-election and Miljanich will be stepping down, leaving a seat on the board up for grabs. It will be a contested election, with a total of seven candidates competing for three seats. Below is an introduction to the race’s five challengers.

Ramiro Maldonado is currently director of development at Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. The organization was formed in 1986 with the purpose of offering mediation services to community members and has launched several initiatives and campaigns centered on conflict resolution in a wide range of areas. They currently offer an Emerging Leaders Program at three local high schools designed to teach young people and their families strategies for managing conflict.

Mark J. De Paula is a retired businessman who has previously run for director of the Sequoia Healthcare District in last year’s election.

Anthony Amistad is a professor of business administration at International Technological University. He has worked as a business educator at several other institutions as well as an insurance and real estate broker.

Alan Talansky currently serves as vice president of EBL&S, a development firm in San Mateo. He is also a council member on Urban Land Institute’s Responsible Property Investment Council, a group of real estate professionals who focus on the links between environmental and social issues and real estate development.

Maurice D. Goodman graduated with degrees in administration of justice and paralegal studies from Skyline and served as student body president. He’s been a community activist focused on helping youth and families, and is a founding member of Bayview Magic, an organization created with the intent of fostering community resources and education in the Bayview Hunters’ Point neighborhood.