Placer County Office of Education redistricts; seeking appointee for local seat

The Placer County Committee on School District Reorganization approved new trustee areas for the Placer County Board of Education this week. The action creates seven single-member trustee areas in compliance with the California Voter Rights Act, California Education Code and federal law. The trustee areas were also developed and selected considering communities of interest, school district boundaries and current trustee area boundaries. Before this action, the Placer County Board of Education had a seven-member board represent four areas. "This way, folks are electing closer to their community of interest," said Michelle Eklund, chief communications officer for the Placer County Office of Education. "You are more likely to vote for someone who represents your community. The Placer County Board of Education began the process to redistrict in August by hiring a demographer. As a part of the process, five public meetings were held, including three for feedback. After approving the new trustee areas in October, their plan was forwarded to the Placer County Committee on School District Reorganization, which approved the change Monday. New trustee areas are Area 1, which includes Roseville City; Area 2, which includes Dry Creek Joint; Area 3, which includes Rocklin Unified; Area 4, which includes Eureka Union; Area 5, which includes Western Placer and northwest areas of Auburn Union; Area 6, which includes Loomis Union, Newcastle and areas of Auburn Union; and Area 7, which includes Ackerman, Alta-Dutch, Colfax, Foresthill, Placer Hills and Tahoe-Truckee Unified. Each county board member will continue to serve their current term with elections in the new Areas 1, 4 and 6 in November 2022 and new Areas 2, 3, 5 and 7 in November 2024. Auburn-area vacancy The Placer County Office of Education is seeking applications from residents interested in being appointed to a vacancy. Community leader and long-serving board member E. Ken Tokutomi announced his resignation in November, citing ongoing health challenges. Tokutomi's letter of resignation said he would serve until Dec. 31. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a registered voter residing within the boundaries of the new single-member Trustee Area 6, which covers the Loomis Union School District, Newcastle Elementary School District and parts of Auburn Union School District. Interested applicants are encouraged to review and download the Board Vacancy Area 6 Candidate Application, available online at www.placercoe.org. Completed applications and a resume should be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools Office at 360 Nevada Street, Auburn, CA 95603; or via email to sarcuri@placercoe.org no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 10. The county board will then conduct the process to make a provisional appointment at its Feb. 10 board meeting. The provisionally appointed County Board Trustee may run for election for a new four-year term in the next election should they desire to remain on the Placer County Board of Education.