Sonoma Valley Unified School District

SVUSD Board of Trustees

Welcome!

The SVUSD Board of Trustees is dedicated to providing leadership and oversight to ensure the success and well-being of all students within the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Here, you can find information about board members, meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and key initiatives. Our goal is to foster a collaborative and transparent environment that supports educational excellence and community engagement.

Notice of Board Appointment

Pursuant to Government Code 6061 and Education Code 5092

NOTICE OF PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTTO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE SONOMA VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

On March 13, 2025 a vacancy was created on the Governing Board of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District following the resignation of Board member Celeste Winders representing Trustee Area 2.

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District Governing Board has appointed Gerardo Guzman to assume the vacant seat on the Board.

The date for the appointment of Gerardo Guzman to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Governing Board was April 22, 2025.

Unless a petition calling for a special election pursuant to Education Code 5091 is filed in the Office of the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of this provisional appointment, it shall become an effective appointment.

Meeting Dates & Office Hours

Meeting Dates

SVUSD Board Meetings are generally scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of the month. Study sessions are also scheduled throughout the school year. Study sessions are intended to be deep discussions on a single topic. Study session topics are subject to change.

Closed Session begins at/around 4:30 pm. Open Session begins at/around 6:00 pm. Regular Board meetings will be located at the Sonoma City Chambers (177 First Street West, Sonoma) unless otherwise noted on the Board Meeting Agenda. Study Session Board meetings are located at the SVUSD District Offices (17850 Railroad Avenue, Sonoma). Zoom links to attend the meeting virtually will be posted to the district website on the morning of the meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

January 16, 2025 - Regular (Second Thursday)
January 23, 2025 - Study Session
January 30, 2025 - Study Session
February 13, 2025 - Regular
March 3, 2025 - Study Session
March 13, 2025 - Regular
April 1, 2025 – Study Session
April 10, 2025 - Regular
April 22, 2025 - Study Session & Special Board Meeting
May 3, 2025 - Study Session
May 8, 2025 - Regular
June 5, 2025 - Regular (1st Thursday)
June 17, 2025 - Regular, Budget & LCAP approval (3rd Tuesday)
August 14, 2025
September 11, 2025
October 9, 2025
November 13, 2025
December 11, 2025

Virtual Access to Meetings

Zoom links to attend the meeting virtually will be posted on the morning of the meeting.

Zoom Link:
Webinar ID:
Phone: +1 669 900 9128

Please note changes to our process for taking public comment:

At the beginning of the open agenda, there will be a public comment session for the public to make comments pertaining to items on the agenda. Members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting are asked to take a numbered card (speaker card), if appearing in person, or raise their hand, if appearing virtually, so that the Board can determine the number of speakers to better control the timing of the meeting.
An opportunity for public comment regarding any school-related matter not on this agenda will be given at the end of the regular agenda.

SVUSD Board Meetings are live-streamed via SonomaTV and recordings are posted on YouTube.

Trustee Office Hours 2024-2025:

Trustee Ching:
- First Monday of the month: May 5
- From 8:30 am - 9:30 am
- Prestwood Elementary School - 343 E MacArthur St #707-935-6030
- In the Library
Trustee Landry:
- Last Thursday of the month: May 22
- From 9:00 - 10:00 am
- Altimira Middle School - 17805 Arnold Drive #707-935-6020
- In the Library
Trustee Lehman:
- First Monday of the month: May 5
- From 4 pm - 5 pm
- El Vearno Elementary School - 17600 Sonoma Highway #707-935-6060
- In the wellness room, located near the main office
Trustee Bell:
- First Monday of the month: May 5
- From 8:30 am - 9:30 am
- Sassarini Elementary School - 652 5th Street West #707-935-6040
- In the conference room

Information and Resources

Board Policies & Regulations
The governing board of each school district is required to enforce rules consistent with the law and State Board of Education regulations. The Sonoma Valley Unified School District Policy Manual includes official policies and procedures adopted by the Governing Board, created in collaboration with the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
Trustee Area Map
The Trustee Area Map, approved by the Board of Trustees on January 18, 2022, outlines the specific regions represented by each board member within the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. This map provides detailed boundaries and helps residents identify their respective trustee areas.
Board Agendas and Minutes (Now Online)
Access the latest agendas and minutes for the Board of Trustees of Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Stay informed about current board meetings, decisions, and discussions, now conveniently available online.
Archive of Minutes & Agendas (2014-2020)
This archive contains the minutes and agendas for the Board of Trustees of Sonoma Valley Unified School District from 2014 to 2020. It provides detailed records of board meetings, decisions, and discussions during this period.

About Board Meetings

Under BB9323, the board recognizes the importance of public participation at board meetings, whether in-person or virtually. In accordance with Government Code Section 54953.3, members of the public may attend a board meeting in person or virtually and are not required to register their name or provide other information. Members of the public will be permitted to make public comments both in-person and via videoconference.

The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and provides this time for members of the audience to address the Board. Per Board Bylaw 9323, at the beginning of the open agenda, there will be a public comment session for the public to make comments pertaining to items on the agenda. Members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting are asked to take a numbered card, if appearing in person, or raise their hand, if appearing virtually, so that the Board can determine the number of speakers to better control the timing of the meeting. An opportunity for public comment regarding any school-related matter not on this agenda will be given at the end of the regular agenda.