The Denair Unified School District board of trustees is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy created when Trustee Crystal Sousa resigned March 14.

Community members who live within the district’s boundaries and are registered to vote are eligible to apply. Applications are available at the district’s office and can also be downloaded from the district’s website. Applications will be accepted until March 28.

At a special meeting Monday morning, the remaining four trustees decided to appoint Sousa’s replacement rather than hold a costly special election. The vacant term ends in November 2026.

There are monthly time commitments for those serving on the board of trustees. The DUSD board meets monthly for regular meetings and have four to five special board meetings per year. Meetings typically last about three hours. Trustees are asked to prepare in advance for meetings, which can be another one to three hours per month. There are also many events and activities throughout the year, which are opportunities for trustees to interact with the students, faculty and staff of Denair schools.

Trustees Ray Prock Jr., Billy Myers, Andrea Bennett and Jason De Muro will hold a special board meeting at 5 p.m. April 3 to interview all the qualified applicants. After discussion, trustees will hear public comment and then vote that night to choose Sousa’s successor. The new trustee will be sworn in at the April 10 board meeting.

Those with questions about the process should contact Jasmin Baltazar, executive assistant to superintendent and board, at (209) 632-7514, ext. 1202, or jbaltazar@dusd.k12.ca.us