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Berryessa board opts for provisional appointment to fill vacant trustee seat
Summary
The board voted to fill a vacant trustee seat by provisional appointment rather than a special election, and named a two‑member subcommittee to run the application and interview process ahead of the October deadline.
The Berryessa Union School District Board of Trustees voted to fill the remainder of Trustee Hugo Jimenez’s term by provisional appointment rather than calling a special election.
Legal counsel William Tunick outlined the two statutory options under the Education Code: a district‑costly special election (next feasible established date would be April 2026) or a provisional appointment that the board completes within 60 days of the resignation filing. The board agreed that the short remaining term and election expense weighed in favor of an appointment. “This is usually what most districts choose,” Tunick said while describing the procedural steps for applications and interviews.
Trustees asked procedural questions about screening, tie‑breaking and timeline. The board directed staff to open an application window and established a two‑member subcommittee—Trustees Srinivasan and Howe—to work with staff on eligibility verification, interview questions and scheduling. The board’s motion to use the provisional appointment process passed on a voice vote with all trustees saying “aye.”
Next steps: staff will publish the vacancy and application instructions, the subcommittee will review eligibility in coordination with the county registrar, and interviews and appointment are planned for the October board meeting in advance of the statutory deadline.
