IT WAS ANNOUNCED during the Sierra County Office of Education meeting held August 9th in Downieville that District 4 Trustee Nicole Stannard had resigned her position for both the County and District. Superintendent James Berardi stated they were currently with a four-person board and would not appoint someone, but wait until the November election to fill the position. From the audience, Kelly Champion wanted the Board to put the matter on the next agenda to entertain appointing someone by next meeting. President Christina Potter was attending through zoom and was having a hard time hearing the meeting as was everyone who was attending this way. Potter asked the other Board members what their opinions were on the matter. Board member Tom Mooers stated with so much turnover and turmoil on the Board, he felt not filling the position until the election would be smoother for the District. He added if they appointed someone and they decided not to run in the election it could be tumultuous for the Board. Newly elected Board member Dorie Gaynor said she had not been on the Board long enough to see the past but felt if someone wanted the seat they would go through with the election. Board member Patty Hall was on the fence but acknowledged Champion had been at every meeting and guessed she would run for the seat. She felt it was not a long time until the election. Mooers said they should not surmise about individuals and have a more generic decision.
During Public Comment, Don Russell encouraged the Board to think carefully about naming someone to the Board with the election looming. He stated as soon as they name someone to the Board they become an incumbent and “that is an advantage in any election.”
During staff reports, Mooers announced he would not run for the Board seat for the next term, but will serve fully in the capacity as District 2 Trustee until he can transition back into a parent volunteer.
According to Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Kristie Jacobsen, there will be no appointment next month for District 4 since there are only 4 months left in the term. After doing some research, Jacobsen found Board Bylaw 9223, Filling Vacancies, which states: “When a vacancy occurs within four months of the end of a Board member’s term, the Board shall take no action. (Education Code 5093).” In regards to no one running for an office in the election, the same Bylaw (9223) also states that “the Board shall appoint a qualified person to the office” due to failure to elect (Ed Code 5328). “So, if we receive notice that no one has filed for the election for any of the seats with an expiring term, then we would have to try to make an appointment the same way we did with Dorie last month.”
During Public Comment, Don Russell encouraged the Board to think carefully about naming someone to the Board with the election looming. He stated as soon as they name someone to the Board they become an incumbent and “that is an advantage in any election.”
During staff reports, Mooers announced he would not run for the Board seat for the next term, but will serve fully in the capacity as District 2 Trustee until he can transition back into a parent volunteer.
According to Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Kristie Jacobsen, there will be no appointment next month for District 4 since there are only 4 months left in the term. After doing some research, Jacobsen found Board Bylaw 9223, Filling Vacancies, which states: “When a vacancy occurs within four months of the end of a Board member’s term, the Board shall take no action. (Education Code 5093).” In regards to no one running for an office in the election, the same Bylaw (9223) also states that “the Board shall appoint a qualified person to the office” due to failure to elect (Ed Code 5328). “So, if we receive notice that no one has filed for the election for any of the seats with an expiring term, then we would have to try to make an appointment the same way we did with Dorie last month.”
