Yolo County Board of Education Appoints New Trustee

Woodland, CA - During its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 8, the Yolo County Board of Education filled a vacancy on its five-member board by appointing Elizabeth Esquivel to the open seat for Trustee Area 1. After the appointment becomes final, Esquivel will serve until her term expires in December 2022.

Esquivel replaces former trustee Matt Taylor, who resigned in December 2021 after serving on the Board for the past seven years. Taylor was in his second term on the Board after being re-elected in November 2018.

Area 1 covers the majority of West Sacramento, excluding portions of the Broderick and Bryte neighborhoods.

Esquivel is a West Sacramento resident with a decade of legislative, public policy, and education field experience. She is currently the Senior Director of Policy and Governance with the California Association of School Business Officials. In this role, Esquivel provides technical assistance and guidance to school districts on school financing.

Esquivel previously served as a legislative aide for then-State Senator and now U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. She also served as a legislative consultant for then Assemblymember Bill Dodd. She is an active member of the West Sacramento Rotary Club and regularly volunteers with the Yolo County Children’s Alliance and West Sac Kids Give Back.

On her selection, Esquivel said, “I hope to use the opportunity to help advance the work of the Yolo County Office of Education and will strive to provide the best space in education for all children throughout our county.”

During the Board meeting, four candidates were interviewed for the open seat. Upon completion of in-person interviews, Trustee Shelton Yip moved to appoint Esquivel for the open seat. She was unanimously appointed to the vacant position and administered the oath of office by Superintendent Garth Lewis.

During the initial 10 days after the appointment, the Board must notify the community of the provisional appointment. The appointment will become final in 30 days unless a petition is filed with the Yolo County Superintendent of Schools requesting an election, in which case a special election will be called to fill the vacancy.

The Yolo County Board of Education makes decisions regarding the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE), including approving the annual county office budget and acting as the appeals board for student expulsions, inter-district transfers, and charter school petitions. The Board also encourages the involvement of families and communities and is a vehicle for citizen access to communication about YCOE programs and services.

Other members on the Board are President Melissa Moreno, representing Area 2; Vice President Tico Zendejas, representing Area 3; Shelton Yip, representing Trustee Area 4; and Carol Souza Cole, representing Area 5.

Information about the vacancy on the Board of Education can be located on the Yolo County Office of Education webpage at www.ycoe.org.