San Rafael trustees choose appointment process to fill Area 2 vacancy

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The San Rafael City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Jan. 6 to use a provisional appointment process to fill the trustee seat vacated by Lucia Martel Dowd, rather than ordering a special election.

The board met Jan. 6 after receiving Dowd’s resignation effective Dec. 17, 2024, and considered whether to call a special election or appoint a replacement. Superintendent Geisel told the board that Board Policy 9223, Exhibit A, requires the board to either order an election or make a provisional appointment within 60 days of a vacancy. Geisel presented a proposed timetable for an appointment process that would meet that deadline.

The timetable Geisel outlined would open applications on Jan. 7; close applications at 4 p.m. on Feb. 6; distribute applications to trustees on Feb. 7; hold candidate interviews, deliberations and an appointment at a special board meeting on Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.; and swear in the new appointee during the regular Feb. 10 evening meeting at 6 p.m. Geisel also cited the County of Marin Elections Department’s estimate that a special election limited to Area 2 would cost about $70,000 to $110,000.

Trustee Dunneva Moore said she favored an appointment for fiscal reasons and to ensure the district did not incur the high cost of a special election during a period of budget pressure. “I would lean toward an appointment process,” Moore said. Vice President Kerner made the motion to proceed with an appointment process; Trustee Rodas seconded. The motion passed with an “Aye” from the board.

Board members and staff also noted eligibility rules: the appointee must reside in Trustee Area 2 and would hold the seat only until the next scheduled election for that area, the general election in November 2026, completing the roughly two remaining years of the term. Geisel said staff would promote the vacancy through district and school newsletters, social media, parent and community groups, local media including the Marin Independent Journal and the district website, and would work with neighboring Miller Creek School District partners to notify families.

During public comment, one speaker urged the board to hold an election so the broader community could choose the representative. Faye B. told trustees that an election would allow voters to select board members rather than rely on an interview-and-appointment process.

The board’s action on Jan. 6 was procedural: it directed staff to advertise the vacancy and run an appointment process consistent with the timeline Geisel presented. Applications will be restricted to residents of Trustee Area 2 and, if appointed, the new trustee may choose to run in the November 2026 election to seek a full term.

The board opened the meeting with routine procedural votes and adjourned after the appointment motion passed.