After more than an hour of discussion about whether a board president must publicly back prior board decisions, the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees elected Trustee Shali as board president at its Dec. 15 meeting.

The vote followed two nominations. A self‑nomination from a sitting trustee was voted down after several members raised concerns about that trustee’s public opposition to a previous bond measure. Trustee Brian questioned whether a president who had publicly opposed the bond after it was placed on the ballot would be willing “to support [board] decisions once they’ve been made,” citing a governance norm of presenting a united public front.

Trustees then nominated and elected Shali to a second term. The roll‑call vote recorded four yes votes and one abstention; the board recessed to complete the remaining officer elections. The board also elected Jim as vice president and Stella as clerk by roll call.

Board members who opposed the self‑nomination said their concern was not about experience but about the role’s public responsibilities. ‘‘Part of our practice is for the board president in conjunction with the superintendent to be the primary point of contact for the public,’’ one trustee said during the discussion, urging that the president be prepared to ‘‘articulate what the board has voted on and how we’re moving forward.’’

Shali, speaking after the vote, thanked colleagues for their confidence and said she would work to ensure continuity through upcoming projects. Board members who supported her cited continuity as a reason to keep the leadership stable while multi‑year decisions — including campus planning and bond implementation — proceed.

The board completed the remainder of routine business that evening, including budget and operational items.

The board is next scheduled to reconvene Jan. 12, when committee appointments and other calendar items are expected to return for approval.