Eileen Policarpio appointed to Jefferson Elementary School Board after candidate interviews

The Jefferson Elementary School Board on Monday appointed Eileen Policarpio to a provisional seat after interviewing four candidates to fill a recent vacancy. The board moved, seconded and carried the appointment by roll call; the chair administered the oath of office immediately and Policarpio took her seat.

Policarpio, a parent active in the district’s PTO and a Girl Scouts co‑leader, told trustees she wants to help make schools “safe, welcoming, [and] engaging” for young children and emphasized early learning and community partnerships. “All of these kids deserve the hope and the opportunity to operate at their fullest potential,” she said during her closing statement.

The board conducted a structured interview process that included one‑minute opening statements, timed answers to trustee questions and a paper ballot to surface top choices. Superintendent Mulik read members’ top-two selections aloud; the superintendent reported a preliminary tally that showed three votes for Dana Johnson, four for Eileen Policarpio and one for James Yen before trustees made a formal motion to appoint.

Multiple community members and local officials urged the board to appoint Dana Johnson during public comment. Redwood City Council Member Chris Sturken spoke in support of Johnson, saying, “I’m here to ask you to appoint Dana Johnson for the vacant position,” and highlighted Johnson’s county LGBTQIA+ commission work and direct service experience with youth and families.

Trustees said the decision was difficult because all four finalists — James Yen, Eileen Policarpio, Ramundo Buriaga and Dana Johnson — brought distinct strengths. Candidates described motivations rooted in parenthood, community service and prior work with at‑risk youth; questions from trustees focused on the board role versus day‑to‑day operations, the district’s LCAP goals, attendance challenges and how candidates would manage the time commitment of trusteeship.

Policarpio’s appointment followed a motion and second by trustees and a roll‑call vote that the chair declared unanimous; she then recited the oath of office before applause from the room. Trustees offered closing remarks welcoming Policarpio and thanking all candidates for their service and willingness to run.

The board had earlier in the meeting approved its consent agenda and opened short public hearings on several 2025–26 and 2025–28 labor bargaining proposals for AFT Local 3267 and CSEA Chapter 233, which the district said would open negotiations on items including wages, hours, health and welfare, class size and safety. Superintendent Mulik also reported on district outreach, upcoming school calendar items and attendance initiatives.

Policarpio will serve as a provisional appointee until the next scheduled election or until the board specifies otherwise; the board did not specify an end date for the appointment during the meeting. The board asked members to remain for a group photo after the meeting.