Chino Valley Unified School District

#Key findings

• Two board seats that decide whether the Sonja Shaw majority continues. Board president Shaw is leaving to run for state superintendent. Her husband, Christopher Shaw, is running for her District 3 seat against teacher-backed Frank Gerdine. ^[1]
• In District 4, Shaun Smith, appointed in Sept 2025, faces substitute teacher Meagan Lichthart. Champion reported that Shaw and Smith received large donations from one donor; I couldn't read that story. ^[1]
• Context: in 2023 the board required staff to tell parents within three days if a student asked to change names or pronouns. Attorney General Bonta sued, a judge ruled it unconstitutional in Sept 2024, and a 2025 state law now bans such policies. Test scores rose over the same years: reading 58.9% → 62.1% and math 44.6% → 49.8% (2022–2025). ^[2][3]

#Board District 3

#Christopher Shaw

• Construction manager in Chino. Married to board president Sonja Shaw, who withdrew from this seat to run for state superintendent. ^[1]

#Frank Gerdine

• Educator and coach in Chino Hills. Endorsed by the Associated Chino Teachers. ^[1]

#Board District 4

#Shaun Smith (incumbent, appointed)

• Healthcare technology strategist in Chino Hills. Appointed by the board in Sept 2025 to replace Jon Monroe. ^[1]

#Meagan Lichthart

• Credentialed substitute teacher in Chino Hills with a master's degree in education. ^[1]