Rob Collins Incumbents Rob Collins, Debbie Sandland and Janice DiFatta all won reelection to the Simi Valley Unified School District board of education on Tuesday.

Collins, who first ran for the board in 2004, had the highest tally again this year, collecting 18,874 votes, or 24 percent.

Sandland, who has served for 12 years, was close behind with 18,064 votes, or 22.9 percent. DiFatta (14,349, 18.2 percent) comfortably edged out challenger Ray Cruz (12,263, 15.6 percent) for the third and final seat on the board.

"People are looking for change on a national level, but it was a real compliment to this entire district, staff, teachers and workers that we were retained," Collins said. "Morale is high and everyone I've talked to thinks we're heading in the right direction."

Collins was also pleased that two college students and recent high school graduates, Eric Smith and Brad Jashinsky, started their political careers in this race.

Smith, who graduated from high school this spring, collected 8,227 votes. Jashinsky, a 2007 Santa Susana High School graduate, finished with 6,791 votes in the race for a Simi Valley Unified board seat.

Debbie Sandland "Two young students getting involved is a great thing," said Collins, a political science professor at College of the Canyons. "They got some experience and I hope they stay active in politics."

Sandland, a registered nurse who began her service to the board in 1992, expressed her appreciation at being reelected. On Wednesday morning, she was picking up the last of her signs throughout the community.

"I'm more than delighted, I'm honored," Sandland said. "Twelve years on the board, people must think I'm doing a good job. I will continue to work and represent our community on the school board."

DiFatta, who has also served for 12 years, said that having two of her fellow board members reelected was "icing on the cake."

"I'm absolutely thrilled all three of us were retained," said DiFatta, a communications teacher at College of the Canyons and Moorpark College. "We have an outstanding team working together for at least the next two years—and with Rob and Debbie for the next four. We're going to see some good things happen." Vote count breakdown Janice DiFatta Votes Rob Collins 18,874 Debbie Sandland 18,064 Janice DiFatta 14,349 Ray Cruz 12,263 Eric Smith 8,227 Brad Jashinsky 6,791 Total votes cast: 78,798 bold=elected