The Placer Union High School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday provisionally appointed Roy Emerson Lake to fill a board vacancy created by a recent resignation, after interviewing six applicants and advancing four finalists to a second round of questions.

The board moved by motion to appoint Roy Emerson Lake and approved the appointment in a recorded tally the district described during the meeting as "a vote of 3-1." Acting Superintendent Caminiti administered the oath of office immediately after the vote, and Lake took his seat on the dais.

The vacancy followed the resignation of a trustee, and the board opened an application window from Dec. 18 to Jan. 7; staff said the district received six applications that a board subcommittee deemed eligible. Trustees described a multi-step selection process: a randomized drawing set the interview order, each applicant answered four prepared questions with two minutes per answer in the first round, trustees then ranked up to three candidates, and four finalists were invited back for a second round of three additional questions.

Trustees said the board required at least three affirmative votes to appoint a candidate. Trustee Underwood, Trustee Duncan and Trustee Jeffreys led the interview and deliberation portions of the meeting; Acting Superintendent Caminiti ran procedural elements and confirmed which applicants had been named by at least two trustees.

Applicants who advanced to the final round were Roy Emerson Lake; Taffy Mauer; John Burdett; and Sean Smith. Finalists were asked about student achievement priorities, fiscal challenges, how they would become effective board members, and any additional comments. Interview topics raised repeatedly included competency-based education (CBE), inclusion of transgender athletes in girls' sports, the board's recent pandemic-era decisions (masking and school closures), facilities maintenance and the superintendent search.

Public commenters urged the board to focus on student achievement and the superintendent search rather than political or cultural questions. Barbara Smith said she was "extraordinarily concerned about the tenor of the questions" and asked, "why are you asking about transgender students?" Jill Gallardo, a longtime district volunteer who identified herself as the mayor of Rockland, told trustees the board must follow the law and asked them to prioritize hiring a superintendent. Several speakers urged the board to prioritize student-focused experience; one student board member told trustees to "really focus on the students." Other members of the public praised Tracy Tweed's community service and experience.

After the vote, Roy Emerson Lake thanked the board and said, "I'm willing to serve. I am grateful for the opportunity," and told the room he believed Tracy Tweed was "the most qualified" among the pool. Trustees then swore him in; the board moved to adjourn.

The appointment is provisional as described by board procedure and will be reflected in future agendas and minutes. Trustees repeatedly reminded applicants and the public that the appointment process was intended to be fair: all applicants answered the same prepared questions and finalists were asked to wait outside during others' interviews to avoid advance knowledge of second-round prompts.

Details provided during the meeting: the application period was Dec. 18–Jan. 7; six total applications were received and posted with the board agenda; interviews were structured with two-minute answers for the first round and two minutes per question in the finalist round; the board requires three affirmative votes for provisional appointment. The board also noted the district will continue the superintendent search and other district business after filling the vacancy.