PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026

Special Election Set for Placer Union High School District Trustee Area 5 

AUBURN, CA – A special election will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2027, to fill the Trustee Area 5 seat on the Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) Board of Trustees, following a determination by the Placer County Superintendent of Schools that a petition calling for the election was legally sufficient.

The Board of Trustees provisionally appointed Carleton Copa to the Trustee Area 5 seat on September 10, 2026, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Duncan, effective July 23, 2026. Under California Education Code Section 5091, registered voters may petition for a special election within 30 days of a provisional appointment. On October 9, the Placer County Superintendent of Schools received a petition, which was reviewed in coordination with the Placer County Elections Office and found to meet the required threshold of 1.5 percent of registered voters in Trustee Area 5.

As a result, the provisional appointment has been vacated, and the seat will remain vacant until the special election. The estimated cost of the election is $96,495 to $165,420, which will be paid by PUHSD.

“The board chose a provisional appointment to restore representation for Trustee Area 5 promptly,” said Jessica Spaid, board president. “Our intent was to fill the vacancy in a fiscally responsible way that preserves district resources for students.

“We respect the right of Area 5 voters to petition for a special election and choose their representative. Now that the petition has met the legal requirements, the district will work with county officials to support the Feb. 2, 2027, election and provide timely, accurate information to the community.

“I thank Carleton Copa for stepping forward and serving our district. Throughout this transition, our focus remains on supporting students, teachers and staff, maintaining strong schools and serving every family in Placer Union High School District.”

Only registered voters residing in Trustee Area 5 will be eligible to vote in the special election. Information on candidate filing, voter registration, and trustee area boundaries will be available from the Placer County Elections Office as it is released.

PUHSD will continue to work with the Placer County Office of Education and the Placer County Elections Office throughout the election process.

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About Placer Union High School District 
Placer Union High School District serves students across Placer County through its comprehensive and alternative high schools, including Del Oro, Placer, Colfax, Foresthill, Confluence and Confluence West, Maidu Virtual Charter Academy, and Placer School for Adults.

Contact: Bri Lynaugh
PUHSD Communications Specialist
blynaugh@puhsd.k12.ca.us