"I concur with the editorial board’s assessment that Espiritu’s academic and professional background in behavioral health makes her a standout candidate for the school board."

So why is a background in behavioral health so key for a board member?  How does that qualify her for the board over someone with a background in finance.  The board is an oversight committee that also provided fiscal oversight as well as decisions such as boundary decisions.  They don't directly make education decisions, that is left to the people who are qualified to make those decisions, the superintendent, but more likely the principals and the curriculum folks. Given the decisions that a board makes, a person with a finance degree would have better background than one in behavioral health.  The behavioral health person would be a better candidate for working in the district helping make decisions on educational matters. Unsurprising the DP doesn't get this.