San Bernardino County (countywide)

#Key findings

• Measure I makes the county's half-cent transportation sales tax permanent, 14 years before it expires. It raises about $250M a year now, and the extension is projected at ~$7.5B over its first 30 years. It needs two-thirds. ^[1][2]
• County Superintendent of Schools is an open seat: Cali Binks (Yucaipa-Calimesa superintendent since 2013) vs. Alex Vara (34 years at Rialto Unified, Redlands school board 2016–2024). ^[3][4]
• Most county offices were settled in June and aren't on this ballot: District Attorney (Jason Anderson), Sheriff (Shannon Dicus), Assessor (Josie Gonzales), Auditor-Controller/Treasurer (Ryan Hutchison), and Supervisors in Districts 2 (Jesse Armendarez) and 4 (Curt Hagman). ^[5]
• Supervisor Curt Hagman's home was searched by the FBI on July 28, in the same investigation that reached Ontario's airport. He hasn't been charged and has stayed in office. He isn't on this ballot. ^[6]

#Measure I: Make the half-cent transportation sales tax permanent

What it does: Continues the 1/2-cent transportation sales tax (first passed in 1989, extended in 2004) past its March 31, 2040 end date, with no new end date. Money is limited to streets, highways, freeways, transit and transportation technology; administration is capped at 1%; the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee continues. Needs two-thirds. ^[1]

Track record

Measure I	Years	Revenue	Notes
Original (1989)	1990–2010	—	First half-cent tax
Renewal (2004)	2010–2040	~$250M a year now	Some cities borrowed against future revenue
2026 extension	2040 → no end date	~$7.5B in the first 30 years	Valley split: 50% regional projects, 25% local streets, 25% operations; 1% admin cap; oversight committee continues
[2][1]

Money and conflicts: The ordinance was adopted by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), "along with a resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors." ^[1] Supporters say the tax has drawn nearly $3B in state and federal matching money. Critics point to $150.9M in bond debt in 2025, interest costs, and the I-10 Express Lanes toll project ($929M of SBCTA money). ^[7][8]

Does it solve a lasting problem? Road and transit funding is a permanent need, and this money stays local and restricted. The cost is giving up the leverage of a renewal vote, which is how voters normally hold the agency accountable. Nothing forces a vote now; the tax runs until 2040 either way.

Both sides: For: SBCTA and most city councils (Redlands voted to back it). Against: no organized campaign found; the SB County Sentinel has criticized SBCTA's spending.

#County Superintendent of Schools

Job: heads the county office of education, whose duties include "teacher certification, school safety inspections." Nonpartisan. ^[3]

#Cali Binks

• Key findings: Superintendent of Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified since 2013; 36 years in education. June primary: 38.8%. ^[3][4]
• Reportedly endorsed by the San Bernardino County Republican Party. ^[4]

#Alejandro "Alex" Vara

• Key findings: 34 years at Rialto Unified (aide, teacher, principal); Redlands Unified board member 2016–2024. June primary: 31.3%. ^[3][4]
• Read: Binks has run two districts as superintendent. Vara has school-site and board experience but hasn't run a district or county office.

#County Board of Education, Area B (west valley only)

Job: approves the county office of education's budget and hears charter-school and student expulsion appeals. It doesn't run local districts. Only voters in Area B see this race: parts of the west valley, including Chino and southwest Rancho Cucamonga. Areas A and D were uncontested, so those elections were canceled. ^[9][5]

#Rita Fernandez-Loof (incumbent)

• Ballot designation "Trustee / Engineer / Parent." ^[9] I found no campaign site or coverage of her board record; the county board's minutes would show it.

#Miki R. Inbody

• Key findings: 30+ years in public education, including as a county education administrator. Superintendent of Fontana Unified since the 2022-23 school year, with retirement announced for December 2026. Endorsed by San Bernardino teachers' groups. ^[9][10][11]

#Kimberly L. Watson

• "Retired educator." ^[9] I found no other reporting.