2026.10.13_FINAL_BOEVacancyPolicy_SDUnified.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net
Miguel Covarrubias, 619-316-4625, mcovarrubias@sandi.net
SD Unified Board of Education Approved New Process to Fill Future Vacancies
Favorable vote includes timeline for implementation should Board President Richard Barrera
Become California Superintendent of Public Instruction
SAN DIEGO (October 13, 2026) – It has been a decade since the San Diego Unified Board of Education has needed to fill a mid-term vacancy, but with the possibility its current President could become the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, San Diego Unified is preparing for the appointment of a replacement.
On Tuesday, October 13, the Board of Education voted on an appointment process to fill a school board member vacancy. The appointment process will include:
- Adoption of a Resolution declaring the vacancy.
- Public Notice of the vacancy, including instructions for interested parties to file an application.
- A community meeting in the SubDistrict in which the vacancy will occur, to solicit feedback on the qualifications desired in the replacement.
- A formal application process.
- An open public meeting(s) to review applications, interview candidates and select the replacement.
With the affirmative vote, the new process will be added to the next revision of Board Bylaws.
“In alignment with past district practice, and to minimize expense to the district, it is recommended that the Board fill Board Member vacancies through appointment rather than special election,” San Diego Director of Board Services Marty Stultz wrote in the process voted on Tuesday.
According to the San Diego City Charter Section VI, section 66, “a vacancy on the Board of Education is to be filled by appointment, from the election district in which the vacancy occurs, by the remaining members of the Board no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. In the event the remaining Board members fail to fill the vacancy within 30 days, the district is required to immediately cause a primary election and a general election to be held.”
Stultz said if a special election is necessary, it could cost the school district $250,000.
Anticipating the possibility its current board president might be headed to Sacramento for the state’s top education post, Tuesday’s vote also included a timeline for implementing the new process in Richard Barrera's SubDistrict D.
"Representation matters, particularly in public education," said Sabrina Bazzo, Vice President, San Diego Unified Board of Education. "The timeline is designed to ensure community voices help inform the selection of a trustee who reflects the values, priorities, and lived experiences of the people of SubDistrict D. We believe residents should have an opportunity to share what qualities and perspectives they want to see in their representative before a decision is made."
The following timeline will be enacted upon the official results of the November 3, 2026 election:
- November 4-16, 2026: Press release and public announcement of the district’s plan to fill the SubDistrict D vacancy, including SubDistrict D Town Hall.
- November 17, 2026: Board adoption of Resolution declaring a vacancy in SubDistrict D at open Board Meeting.
- November 18, 2026: SubDistrict D Town Hall at Hoover High School to solicit constituent feedback which will be utilized to inform the selection of the replacement.
- November 18-December 11, 2026: Application period; application process will be made available and communicated to the public.
- November 18-December 18, 2026: Collection and compilation of feedback from SubDistrict D constituents which will be utilized to inform the selection of the replacement.
- December 21, 2026-January 1, 2027: Winter Break
- January 6 and/or 7, 2027: Special Board Meeting(s) to review applications, feedback gathered from constituents, interview candidates and make a selection.
- January 12, 2027: Swearing in of replacement at public Board Meeting.
Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne was the appointed trustee to fill the vacancy left in SubDistrict E by Marne Foster back in 2016. The appointment process described above was successfully used to fill the vacancy at no additional cost to the district.
“Should a vacancy occur, the Board would seek to appoint an individual from SubDistrict D who understands the unique needs, strengths, and diversity of the community and is prepared to serve as an effective advocate for students and families,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. San Diego Unified School District. “The process is designed to ensure that residents, families, students, educators, and stakeholders have meaningful opportunities to provide input before any appointment is made.”
“A key component of the proposal is a community town hall that would provide residents with a dedicated opportunity to share their perspectives on the leadership qualities they believe are most important in the next representative,” Superintendent Bagula said.
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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Mobile: 313-580-2845 4100 Normal Street
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