2 Sonoma Valley school board seats on November ballot

Chavez, Gustafson up for re-election: Will they run?|

Two seats on the Sonoma Valley Unified School District School Board will be up for grabs on the November general election ballot, and it's possible there might be some new contenders for the positions.

The seats are currently held by Flowery Elementary School area trustee Dan Gustafson and El Verano Elementary School area trustee Sal Chavez. Gustafson was elected in 2006 and has subsequently been elected for two more 4-year terms. Chavez was appointed in 2011 and won election in 2014.

'I've heard rumblings and rumors' that there might be some new faces in the race, Board President Britta Johnson said Tuesday. She noted that a handful of people showed up for a June 6 candidate information night designed to assist potential contenders for the School Board seats.

Socorro Shiels, the new district superintendent, said she didn't know who might be running for the board, but 'I do hope engaged and dedicated individuals who want the best for Valley students and the entire community run,' she said in an email.

'I think there are many, many people in our Valley who fit that description, so I am confident that great people will come forward,' Shiels added.

Chavez said he is still deciding whether to run for re-election, as the incumbent said he is facing increased demands on his time.

'I've never been more excited to work closely with our district than today, which is the big conundrum for me,' Chavez said. 'When I was appointed, I was 26 and had no children. Now I'm 32, with two. I have a wonderful support system with my wife and family, but as a growing professional, my life has become busier and busier.'

Incumbent Gustafson did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

SVUSD school board races are held during the general election in even-numbered years. This year, voting will take place Nov. 6.

Anyone who is interested in running for a seat has until Aug. 10 to file the papers to do so; the filing period opened Monday. However if an incumbent fails to file by Aug. 10, any qualified applicant except the incumbent will have until Aug. 15 to file for that seat.

There is no filing fee to run for school board, unless the candidate opts to file a Statement of Qualifications, a little-used and expensive option.

To run for a seat, candidates must show up in person at the Registrar of Voters office at 435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa to file.

The visit generally takes about 20 minutes and involves taking an oath and submitting a declaration of candidacy, a ballot designation worksheet and a statement of economic interests.

The trustee positions are four-year terms, and whoever is elected would be installed in the position at the board's December meeting, Johnson said.

More detailed information about the board and the race is available at the Sonoma County Office of Education website, www.scoe.org.

Email Janis at janis.mara@sonomanews.com.

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