Fairfax School District is seeking qualified candidates to fill two seats on the Board of Trustees, which will be vacant in December 2024. The application process for these positions opens on Tuesday, September 17th, and will close on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 4:00 pm. 

Two seats are up for election in November 2024. Due to the insufficient number of candidates for the two seats, the Board of Trustees is required to appoint two new trustees before the upcoming election on November 5. This appointment process is essential to ensure that the district can continue to effectively govern and support its schools.

The Fairfax School District Board is committed to a transparent and inclusive selection process and encourages community members who are passionate about education to apply. Applications can be picked up in person at the District office, located on 1500 S. Fairfax Rd. 

Applicant Eligibility

• At least 18-years old

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and registered to vote

• Cannot be an Fairfax School District employee and serve on the Board at the same time

• Resident of Trustee Areas 1 and 4 boundaries (See Interactive Boundary Map below)

• Not legally disqualified from holding civil office
  Any person who has been convicted of a felony involving the giving, accepting, or offering of a bribe, embezzlement or theft of public funds, extortion, perjury, or conspiracy to commit any such crime, under California law or the law of another state, the United States of America, or another country, is not eligible to be a candidate for office or elected as a Board member except when the person has been granted a pardon in accordance with law. (Education Code 35107; Elections Code 20)

Interactive Trustee Boundary Map

Application and Interview Process:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by the deadline. Applicants should be aware that answers to the questions may be made available publicly. After the application period closes, the current FSD Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on October 22nd to interview the candidates. These interviews will be held in the public session.

Appointees will officially take their Trustee seat during a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM.

Need for Appointing a Trustee

According to Education Code 5326 and 5328, if the district does not receive enough candidates to fill all vacant trustee positions by 83 days before the election (August 14), an election for the positions will not be held. In such cases, the Board is responsible for making appointments to fill the anticipated vacancies. These appointments must be made before Election Day to avoid the potential need for a costly special election.

The Role of a School Board Trustee:

The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting policies, overseeing the school district’s budget and ensuring financial accountability, and developing long-term strategic plans (LCAP) to align with community educational goals. Trustees also ensure that the district is effectively governed and operates in accordance with state laws and regulations.

To accomplish their duties, Trustees participate in monthly meetings typically held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. In addition to preparing for and attending Board meetings, some personal time is necessary for individual study and growth, such as attending regional meetings, training, and conferences.