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Carlsbad Unified trustees elect Michelle Ward president in 3–2 vote at organizational meeting
Summary
At its Dec. 10 organizational meeting the Carlsbad Unified School District Board elected Trustee Michelle Ward president and Allison Emery vice president, approved clerk Laura Ciosi and adopted organizational items including a revised 2026 meeting schedule.
At its Dec. 10 organizational meeting the Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees elected Trustee Michelle Ward as board president in a 3–2 roll‑call vote and chose Trustee Allison Emery as vice president by the same margin.
The board opened nominations for president and first considered a motion to appoint Gretchen Verbeck; that proposal failed 2–3. The board then voted to appoint Ward, and took a brief recess so the newly elected president could assume the dais and begin remarks about focusing the board’s work on students, staff and community partnerships.
Trustees next considered nominations for vice president. Trustee Emery was nominated and, after discussion about maintaining balance and training future presidents, won a 3–2 vote. The board also approved Trustee Laura Ciosi as clerk in a unanimous vote.
During the organizational portion of the meeting the board approved a set of housekeeping items: authorized signatures for district accounts, committee representative assignments (with one last‑minute substitution), and a 2026 meeting calendar that moves special meetings from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; each passed on separate roll calls.
The superintendent described the process used for the reorganization—verbal nominations, motions and roll‑call votes—and noted that officers will assume newly elected roles immediately. Board members who spoke during the organization portion emphasized the majority role in governance and the role of president and vice president in agenda planning.
The board recessed briefly after the president election. The organizational actions concluded before the meeting moved into recognitions and the evening’s substantive agenda items.
Votes at a glance - President (Item 5.2): Michelle Ward — Passed 3–2 - Vice president (Item 5.3): Allison Emery — Passed 3–2 - Clerk (Item 5.4): Laura Ciosi — Passed 5–0 - Authorized signatures (Item 5.6): Approved 5–0 - 2026 meeting schedule (Item 5.7) with special meeting time change: Approved 5–0
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026.
