Board of Trustees

ROLE OF THE BOARD

As the official governing body of the District, the Board:

Is a trustee for students
Hears the views of the public
Sets District policies and goals
Decides how to prioritize and spend District funds
Maintains relationships with other school boards and related organizations
Oversees employee relations and approves contracts
Establishes curriculum and standards
The Superintendent of the District serves as the Chief Executive Officer, manages District staff, and ensures that Board policies are carried out

Updated Trustee Area maps (boundaries) were approved by the Placer County Committee on 6/11/24.

PUHSD Trustee Boundary Map

Mr. Jeremy JeffreysBoard Member - Term Expires 2028Trustee Area #1 - jjeffreys@puhsd.k12.ca.us

Trustee Jeffreys was elected to the Board in November, 2024, for a four-year term. He is a husband, father, teacher, Search & Rescue Volunteer, decorated military veteran, and small business owner in Colfax. He has a master’s degree in education and an undergraduate degree in legal studies. He also helps run two local non-profit organizations. Jeremy's wife is a math teacher at Del Oro High School and their daughter is currently a Sophomore at DO. As a teacher with more than twenty-five years of experience, Trustee Jeffreys understands education and the challenges faced by students and staff. His diverse background, education, and training, allows him to see things from a unique perspective and always strives to make decisions that will have a positive impact for the students in the classrooms.

Mrs. Jessica SpaidBoard President - Term Expires 2026
Trustee Area #2 - jspaid@puhsd.k12.ca.us

Trustee Spaid was elected to the Board in November 2022, for a four-year term, and was also elected to serve on the Delegate Assembly for California School Board Association in May 2023, for a two-year term. She serves on the Strengthening Local Governance Policy Platform Committee and advocates at both local and state levels to better serve the families of Placer Union High School District.
Trustee Spaid is a wife, mother of five sons and lead singer of the band Moonshine Crazy. Two of Jessica's children are current students at Placer High School. Trustee Spaid is a co-founder of Placer County Parents for Choice, a private voice and piano instructor, a business owner, and a former piano accompanist for the kids’ choir at Loomis Union School District. She has extensive experience as a voice for children, as a special education mom, having worked on numerous parent-teacher committees and the school site safety council. Trustee Spaid understands the value of working together with students, parents, teachers, and staff to improve student outcomes. Her background will bring a new fresh approach from a parent's perspective, putting students and families first.

Mr. David UnderwoodBoard Member - Term Expires 2026
Trustee Area #3 - dunderwood@puhsd.k12.ca.us

Trustee Underwood was first elected to the Board in 2014 after dedicating 39 years as a teacher at Placer High School. In 2022, he was ran unopposed and will serve another four-year term. David believes that education of the whole child is imperative with a strong focus on character education. He remains actively involved in the community and regularly travels abroad to visit different cultures.

Dr. Emerson Lake
Board Member - Term Expires 2026
Trustee Area #4 - elake@puhsd.k12.ca.us

Trustee Lake was appointed to serve on the Board on Thursday, January 16, 2025, for a two-year term. He and his wife are raising five children in the local area. His interest in serving on the Board stems from his desire to give back to the community that has served his family so well. Dr. Lake practices dentistry in Roseville.

Mr. Tom DuncanBoard Clerk - Term Expires 2028Trustee Area #5 - tduncan@puhsd.k12.ca.us
Trustee Duncan was elected to the Board in November 2024, for a four-year term. He and his wife have been residents of Placer County for over ten years and are raising their six children in Loomis. Trustee Duncan supports the community as a youth leader for his church, coaches several youth sports teams, and serves as the President of the Junior Lady Eagles Basketball Club. Professionally, he works in the software industry leading sales teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD

As the policy-making body for the Placer Union High School District, the Board of Trustees is charged with providing a quality public education program for the residents of the Placer Union High School District in accordance with the California Constitution, State Education Code, other State and Federal laws, adopted Board policies, and hears the desires expressed by the community. As elected officials, Board members are State officers responsible for the governance of the school district, which is considered a subdivision of the State. Beyond the establishment of school district policies, the Board is responsible for adoption of the annual budget and approval of all expenditures; employment of personnel; approval of curriculum, textbooks and courses of study; and decision-making relative to the purchase, planning and construction of all school district property. Board members have no power to act individually in the name of the entire Board. Action can only be taken when a majority of the Board is in formal session.

ADDRESSING THE BOARD

The PUHSD Board of Trustees encourages your attendance at its Board meetings and has established a process for you to express your views to the Board through Public Comment. In the interest of conducting the public meeting in a timely manner, individual speakers will be allowed three (3) minutes to address the Board with no more than twenty minutes per topic. Completing a blue, "Public Participation" form is preferred but not mandatory. This form can be obtained at the meeting.

Public Comment for Items in Closed Session: Individuals who wish to comment on items being considered during Closed Session, shall be provided the opportunity to comment prior to the Board recessing to closed session.

Public Comment for Items on the Agenda: Individuals who wish to comment on items on the Agenda, shall be provided an opportunity to comment after the staff report and before the Board's consideration of that item.

Public Comment for Items not on the Agenda: Individuals who wish to comment on items not on the agenda, shall be provided the opportunity to speak during Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items on the Agenda. The law (California Education Code Section 35145.5) does not allow the Board of Trustees to take action on any item not explicitly posted on the Agenda in advance.

To view meetings, agendas and minutes please go to agenda page.

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