Harry Leshner is running for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Board in the Nov. 3 general election. Four seats are on the ballot in the nonpartisan race. The other candidates are Alicia Mignano, Laurie Lieberman, Robbie Staenberg and Stacy Rouse.
Asked why he is seeking the office, Leshner said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm running to bring much needed representation from current district parents to our school board. Out of the seven members today, only one is a current district parent. If elected I'd be the second, but crucially the only member with elementary-aged children."
He has no prior elected or appointed office.
Leshner also said: "Over the past decade, SMMUSD has faced a 25% drop in enrollment. Even more concerning, only 66% of local children attend our public schools, vs 75% ten years ago."
Candidate information
Residence: Leshner said he has "lived in Santa Monica for 18 years, moving there immediately after graduating from Pomona College."
Education: "BA in Economics from Pomona College."
Family: "Married with two daughters, a 6 year old and 2 year old." His oldest is enrolled at Franklin Elementary School in the district, according to Leshner.
Party affiliation: Democratic.
Experience and public service
Leshner listed his work history in our questionnaire as: "Partner Alliance Director, 2025 - Present," "Management and Technology Consulting Partner, 2019-2025" and "Management and Technology Consulting Practitioner, 2008-2019." He also serves as a partnerships and alliances executive at Snowflake, according to his Santa Monica Democratic Club questionnaire.
Leshner said he has served as an advisory board member at America on Tech, a board member at Santa Monica Synagogue and a participant in the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles New Leaders Project.
On the issues
Top three issues facing the district: Asked to name the three most important issues facing SMMUSD over the next four years, Leshner said in our questionnaire:
"1. Lack of Tech Policy: The district's push towards aggressive tech adoption has led to excessive screentime which negatively impacts learning and student well being. I will work with educators to curb screen time while integrating age-appropriate AI and STEM literacy, leveraging my previous board experience to ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, human connection and critical thinking."
"2. District Unification: Separating Santa Monica and Malibu into two independent districts requires expert restructuring to avoid financial instability … safeguarding equitable resource distribution so students in both communities thrive on strong, independent footing."
"3. Construction Oversight and Climate Resilience: Major bond-funded projects disrupt learning and face extreme heat and climate risks. I'll pursue strict fiscal oversight to deliver construction on time and within budget, while establishing a Campus Resilience Policy that prioritizes upgraded HVAC systems, solar energy, and green spaces."
A past board decision he would approach differently: Leshner pointed to "the recent proposed restructuring of our elementary Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) music curriculum, which included delaying instrumental music instruction until 5th grade." He said the changes "were introduced top-down with minimal advance engagement, causing significant parent confusion and public backlash before being reversed."
He said he would "institute a much more collaborative process. Before making structural changes to flagship programs, district leaders should actively partner with arts educators, parent advisory groups, and school site councils from day one."
Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Leshner said: "Over my 20-year career, I have specialized in driving large-scale organizational transformations and stepping in to turn around failing, off-track projects … Coupled with my non-profit board leadership at America on Tech and my daily perspective as a current district parent, I have a proven track record of diagnosing root problems, bringing diverse groups together, and delivering measurable results under pressure."
Leshner also advocates for banning artificial turf on school grounds and creating safe routes to schools in collaboration with the city, according to his Santa Monica Democratic Club questionnaire and Santa Monica Daily Press.
Candidate responses come from a Surround Sound News questionnaire and publicly available candidate questionnaires. The Santa Monica Wave does not endorse candidates.
