The time is up for three board of education trustees that have advocated for parental rights and against COVID-19 mandates in schools. While all three are running the race again, they are up against various challengers. Candidates had until March 11 to turn in their paperwork to run for a trustee seat that will be on the June 7 primary election ballot. The current board has been known for pushing back against COVID-19 mandates, critical race theory in school curricula, and California’s ongoing state of emergency. Some opponents of the board have questioned lawsuits filed on behalf of the board challenging Gov. Gavin Newsom and even their county superintendent, Al Mijares. Board President Mari Barke argues that the lawsuits filed against Newsom were free litigation matters that didn’t consume taxpayer funds. Meanwhile, the legal challenges such as the one against Mijares settled in 2021—which the board won—are necessary to ensure …