Placer Union welcomes newcomers to board of trustees

Newly elected and re-elected trustees were sworn in at the Placer Union High School District Board meeting this week. New to the board are Casey Jeffreys representing Area 1 (Colfax/Foresthill high schools, two-year term) and Jessica Spaid representing Area 2 (Placer High School, four-year term). Returning to their seats are Trustee David Underwood, who represents Area 3 (Placer High School, four-year term), and Ron Oates who represents Area 4 (Del Oro High School, four-year term). Underwood and Oates ran uncontested, which automatically re-elects them to their seats. Spaid received more votes than longtime Trustee Maureen "Mo" Ward, and Jeffreys received more votes than appointed Trustee Rob Hitchcock, who was serving in longtime Trustee Lynn MacDonald's seat after she passed away in 2021. The district is known for having long-standing board members. MacDonald served for more than 40 years, and Ward was on the board for more than 24 years before this election. "They both played a significant role in improving our facilities, creating more learning opportunities for our students and helping maintain a fiscally sound district," a district news release stated. Spaid and Jeffreys said they would like to bring a parent perspective to the board. "I hope to bring to the board a new outlook from a parent's perspective with a child currently in the system," Jeffreys said in an email to the Auburn Journal. "I would really like to target the needs of children who need a more hands-on approach." "I ran on the platform of 'bringing parents back into the equation,' " Spaid said in an email to the Auburn Journal. "An informed and involved parental base is the only way to keep this ship on course." The PUHSD release stated Spaid and Jeffreys would be "instrumental in helping create communications through their parent lens." There are 39 years of service on the board between Trustees Underwood, Oates and Debbie Brannam, who represents Area 5 (Del Oro High School). The PUHSD release stated these board members are looking forward to working with Jeffreys and Spaid. "PUHSD is known for our many traditions but also for pioneering the way on many fronts," the district release stated. "We are proud of our past and always preparing for the future."