Gina Jamerson appointed, sworn-in as interim Area 4 Elk Grove Unified School District Board Trustee

The newest member of the EGUSD Board of Trustees Gina Jamerson takes her oath of office.| 

After a nearly four-hour special meeting, the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees selected Ms. Gina Jamerson to fill the Area 4 vacancy on the seven-member board. Jamerson was among four finalists from 11 applicants who sought to fill the position vacated by Bobbie Singh-Allen, who resigned following her election to Elk Grove Mayor.

Along with Jamerson, the board members interviewed Ali Moua, Kishaun Thortona, and Khydeeja "KD" Alam.  Immediately following the 5 - 1 appointment, with newly elected Trustee Sean Yang dissenting. Jamerson was administered her oath of office by Superintendent Christopher Hoffman. 

Although Jamerson won the appointment, it took two rounds of nominations for trustees to agree. In the first round, Jamerson, Moa, and Thortona were nominated, but none won a majority of four votes.

As part of the process, each applicant was allowed an opening and closing statement. Additionally, the applicants answered four questions on a rotating basis.

After the questioning, written public comments were read into the record. Comments submitted on behalf of each applicant was limited to 15 minutes.

Although almost all comments favored a particular applicant, one urged the board not to appoint Moua, claiming he would use it as a political stepping stone. Another comment came from former EGUSD Trustee Chet Madison who recommended the appointment of Alam.

According to her social media page, Jamerson is a graduate of Chico State and is employed by the Foundation for California Community Colleges. During her presentation, Jamerson said she has lived in the school district for a year and a half and belongs to the Laguna Sunrise [Elk Grove] Rotary Club.

Jamerson's appointment is provisional for the first 30 days, during which time it can be challenged. If there are no challenges, the appointment is until November 2022, when the seat will be placed on the general election ballot.

This appointment is the fifth made to the board in a little over 10 years and the second for the Area 4 seat since 2012. That year Singh-Allen received her appointment. 

After her selection, Yang told Jamerson even though he did not vote for her confirmation, he noted her impressive education credentials and that will be a valued board member. 

"Welcome aboard, and I look forward to working with you, congratulations," Yang said. 

After winning the appointment and taking her, Jamerson expressed gratitude to the other candidates saying, "I really want to thank the other candidates, you were all amazing, you are all social justice warriors, and I look forward to collaborating with you."

Self-identified as a Latina, Jamerson also touched on the concerns expressed by Black families in the district and promised she would hear their voices. Jamerson specifically addressed co-finalist Thortona, who has been active with equity issues for Black students in the district. 

"As a mother, I am raising two Black boys, and I definitely felt your passion for the African-American community and hope to be able to collaborate with you to address the needs of the African-American community," Jamerson said. "That is something that I am very passionate about."  
 
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