About the Vacancy
The Mendocino County Board of Education seeks to fill a vacancy for Trustee Area 3 which includes (Covelo/Laytonville/Willits). Trustee Area Map.
To address this vacancy, the Board adopted Resolution 25.8.2 on August 11, 2025, approving a provisional appointment process in accordance with Education Code § 5090 et seq.
Board Composition & Term Information
The Mendocino County Board of Education consists of five trustees, each representing a Mendocino County supervisorial district. Trustees serve four-year terms and must reside in their respective trustee areas, which reflect the county supervisorial districts. The appointed Trustee for Area 3 will serve a short term, which ends in December 2026. Learn more about the statutory functions of county boards of education here.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted through September 4, 2025.
How to Apply
Online: Complete the MCOE Board Candidate Application
In Person: Pick up a paper application at the MCOE River Campus office, 2240 Old River Road, Ukiah, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
Board Appointment & Selection
After reviewing applications to confirm eligibility, the Board will fill the vacancy at its regular board meeting on September 8, 2025, at 10 AM. During this open-session public meeting, the Board will review applications, interview candidates, and appoint a Trustee to serve a short term, ending in December 2026.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent’s Liaison Veronica Bazor at vbazor@mcoe.us or 707-467-5060
Timeline
| August 4, 2025 (day 1) | Area 3 trustee seat became vacant. |
| August 11 | The county board adopted a resolution to make a provisional appointment. |
| August 11-September 4 | Notification of vacancy (newspaper/website/social media). |
| September 4 | Application deadline/determine eligibility of candidates. |
| September 8 | Regular board meeting- interview and appoint a candidate will serve a short term, ending in December 2026. |
| September 9-October 3 | Public Notice of Vacancy and Provisional Appointment (within 10 days of making a provisional appointment). |
| October 3, 2025 (day 60) | Candidate appointed deadline. |
Frequently Asked Questions – MCOE Board Vacancy
Why is there a vacancy on the Board?
The Trustee Area 3 (Covelo/Laytonville/Willits) seat on the Mendocino County Board of Education is vacant because the trustee representing this area accepted employment with Willits Unified School District, which makes them ineligible to serve on the county board.
How will the vacancy be filled?
In accordance with Education Code § 5090 et seq., the Mendocino County Board of Education will make a provisional appointment within 60 days of the vacancy. The appointed trustee will serve a short term, which ends in December 2026
Who is eligible to apply?
- To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of California
- Be a resident of Trustee Area 3 (Supervisorial District 3, Covelo/Laytonville/Willits)
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a registered voter
- Not be legally disqualified from holding public office
Note: Current employees of a school within Mendocino County are not eligible.
Is this position compensated?
Board members receive a $316.77 monthly stipend, which is applied toward the cost of an MCOE full-family health plan, if the board member opts to enroll in the MCOE health plan. Board members who opt out of the health plan receive a monthly $316.77 stipend.
How do I apply?
Application Deadline: 4:30 PM on September 4, 2025
Interested candidates must submit their applications by the deadline.
Ways to Apply:
- Online: MCOE Board Candidate Application
- In Person: You can pick up a paper application at MCOE River Campus, 2240 Old River Road, Ukiah, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
What happens after I apply?
The Board will review applications to confirm eligibility. Applicants must be available for an interview during the Regular Board meeting on September 8, 2025, at 10 AM at 2240 Old River Rd., Ukiah CA 95482.
When would I take office if selected?
The Board anticipates making an appointment at the September 8, 2025 regular board meeting. The selected trustee will be sworn in that day and begin serving immediately.
The appointee will serve until December 2026.
What should I consider before applying?
Serving on the County Board is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local education. However, Board Members must follow specific rules, including:
- Filing a Statement of Economic Interest, a public document disclosing financial holdings and interests within the County (excluding a personal residence).
- Avoiding conflicts of interest and actions incompatible with Board duties.
Where can I learn more about the role of a Board Member?
- For more details on the responsibilities of County Board Members, visit the MCOE website: Statutory Functions of County Superintendents of Schools & County Boards of Education here.
- To view recent board agendas, visit the BoardDocs website.
- To view recent livestreams of Board of Education meetings, visit the MCOE YouTube channel.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent’s Liaison Veronica Bazor at vbazor@mcoe.us or 707-467-5060.