Reed Union School District Board Holds Special Meeting to Fill Trustee Vacancy

The Reed Union School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting on February 6, 2026, to interview five candidates for a vacant trustee position and make a provisional appointment. The meeting, held at 4:45 PM, was dedicated entirely to the selection process, with candidates interviewed individually before the board deliberated and made its appointment decision.

Meeting Purpose and Process

This special meeting was convened specifically to address a trustee vacancy on the school board. The board began with an overview of the interview process before proceeding to meet with each candidate individually. The meeting format allowed board members to evaluate candidates' qualifications and perspectives on district matters before making their selection.

Candidate Interviews

The board interviewed five candidates for the trustee position:

• Emily Chiswick-Patterson
• Mike Ghaffary
• Josh Grossman
• Faris Jafar
• Trevor Wilson

Each candidate was given time to present their background and answer questions from current board members. The agenda did not include detailed information about candidates' qualifications or backgrounds, which may have been provided separately to board members or made available through the district's website.

Board Deliberation and Appointment

Following the interviews, the board held deliberations regarding the trustee appointment. This was structured as a consideration item, allowing trustees to discuss the candidates and their fit for the position. The board then proceeded to make the actual appointment to fill the vacancy.

The agenda classified the appointment as an action item, meaning the board was expected to make a formal decision and vote during this meeting rather than simply discussing options for a future vote.

Significance for the Community

This provisional appointment is particularly significant for Reed Union School District community members because school board trustees make critical decisions affecting local schools, including budget allocations, policy changes, curriculum matters, and facilities issues. The appointed trustee will serve alongside elected board members and have equal voting authority on all district matters until the next regular board election, when the seat would be filled through the normal electoral process.

The vacancy filling process demonstrates the district's adherence to state education code requirements and the Brown Act, which governs public meetings in California. By conducting interviews in open session and allowing for public comment, the board provided transparency in the selection process.

Public Participation

The agenda included time for public comment, giving community members the opportunity to share their perspectives on the candidates or the appointment process. This is a standard feature of school board meetings designed to ensure community input on district decisions.

Compliance and Accessibility

The meeting notice emphasized the district's commitment to accessibility, offering translation services and auxiliary aids for those with disabilities upon advance request. The district also noted compliance with privacy provisions allowing parents to exclude certain student and family information from meeting minutes.

Next Steps

The agenda included a section for "Future Items for Trustee Consideration," though specific items were not detailed in the published agenda. The newly appointed trustee would presumably be seated immediately and participate in upcoming regular board meetings.

All meeting materials were made available electronically through the district's eBoardSolutions platform and in person at the Superintendent's Office at 277 A Karen Way in Tiburon during normal business hours, ensuring public access to the full agenda packet and supporting documents.