San Luis Obispo County Board of Education

The Candidate Packet is listed under the Board of Education Tab, Resources, San Luis Obispo County Board of Education Candidate Information Sheet, and the map is listed under the Board of Education Tab, Resources, County Board of Education Trustee Districts.

Send Correspondence To:

San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
James J. Brescia, Secretary to County Board of Education
3350 Education Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
trustees@slocoe.org

Diane Ward

Ms. Ward was appointed to office in 2000, representing Trustee Area No. 1 (Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, Pleasant Valley Joint Union Elementary School District, San Miguel Joint Union School District and Shandon Joint Unified School District). Ms. Ward is a business owner and long-time north county resident.

Kathryn Madonna

Kathryn Madonna was appointed to office in 2024, representing trustee Area 2 (Coast Unified School District, Cayucos School District and Templeton School District). She is a former school board trustee for both Cayucos and Coast Unified School Districts. She has been a business owner in Cayucos for more than 50 years.

Joel Peterson

Mr. Peterson was appointed to office in 2015, representing Trustee Area No. 3 (San Luis Coastal Unified School District). Mr. Peterson is a retired business executive and is a long-time resident of San Luis Obispo.

Juan Olivarria

Mr. Olivarria was elected to office in 2018, representing Trustee Area No. 4 (Lucia Mar Unified School District)  Mr. Olivarria is a retired educator, serving the Lucia Mar USD for 36 years. 

Scott Knuckles

In 2024, Mr. Knuckles was elected to serve as the trustee for Trustee Area No. 5 (Atascadero Unified School District). A former technology director for Templeton USD, Lucia Mar USD, and Paso Robles JUSD, Mr. Knuckles is now a cybersecurity and education technology consultant for schools.