Santa Rosa school board seeks applicants for open seat

Instead of campaigning for an election, residents can apply for one of the three open Santa Rosa school board seats.

After candidate Lyndsey Burcina, 18, this week dropped out of the unopposed race for Area 2 representing northwest Santa Rosa, the board must appoint someone to the seat by Oct. 24, according to bylaws.

'We'd love to have a lot of applicants,' board president Jenni Klose said this week.

The appointee will served a four-year term, starting on Dec. 12.

'There's definitely a time commitment to service, but I think often times the real barrier is the idea of running for office and certainly I understand that,' Klose said. 'It's a tough process running for office, so this is an opportunity to serve without doing that.'

Applications will be accepted until Oct. 8 at the school district office, 211 Ridgway Ave. Applicants will go through an interview process with a committee of three board members, then finalists will be selected by the committee and presented to the full board for a vote.

'It will be an open and transparent procedure,' board member Bill Carle said.

Within Area 2 is Piner High School, James Monroe Elementary School and the Sonoma County Airport. Below is a map of the seven trustee areas.

You can reach Staff Writer Susan Minichiello at 707‑521-5216 or susan.minichiello@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@susanmini.