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Pajaro Valley board opts for provisional appointment to fill Area 1 trustee vacancy
Summary
Facing a 60-day timeline and the district's year-end schedule, the board voted to fill the Area 1 vacancy by provisional appointment (application and interview in public session) rather than a special election; trustees said the approach saves costs and allows timely participation in upcoming budget and bond decisions.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board voted Dec. 11 to fill the Area 1 trustee vacancy by provisional appointment rather than by holding a special election.
Superintendent Heather Contreras explained the legal options after Trustee Kim Desirpa's resignation: the board can order a special election or appoint a provisional trustee following a public application and interview process. Because of the 60-day statutory timeline and the district's December closure schedule, board members said an appointment process would meet legal deadlines and allow the new trustee to participate in urgent matters (budget deliberations and bond-related work).
Trustees Flores and Dodge Jr. moved and seconded the motion to appoint. Trustee DeSerpa expressed appreciation to the community for interest in the seat and encouraged applicants; several public commenters urged transparent application criteria and cautioned about perceived conflicts when donors later seek appointment.
Board direction and next steps: The board approved a public application-and-interview appointment process to be held in open session with published criteria and timelines; staff will run the process consistent with Brown Act timelines and legal requirements.
Why it matters: The appointed trustee will join the board in time to participate in early budget decisions and Measure M project planning; trustees said the appointment route balances cost, timeline and the need for representation.
