New Trustee Julián Muñoz is administered the oath of office by County Superintendent Garth Lewis at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting in Woodland. Photo courtesy of Julián Muñoz

YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - During its regular Nov. 18 meeting, the Yolo County Board of Education filled a vacancy on its five-member board by appointing Julián Muñoz to the open seat for Trustee Area 5. Once the appointment becomes final, Muñoz will serve until the term expires in December 2026.

Muñoz replaces former trustee Armando Salud-Ambriz, who resigned in October after being appointed Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters for Nevada County. Salud-Ambriz was in a first term on the board of education after being elected in November 2022.

Trustee Area 5 includes north Woodland, Knights Landing, Yolo, Madison, Esparto and the Capay Valley.

Muñoz is a longtime Woodland resident and small-business owner specializing in business development, compliance review and marketing. Muñoz said that his professional experience has prepared him with strong planning and problem-solving skills that will support the board’s governance responsibilities.

He has also built strong community connections in Woodland. From 2008 to 2010, Muñoz served as an assistant football coach at Woodland High School and he later co-founded the Concha Run Club, which has since grown into a well-attended community organization.

Although he relocated to Woodland in 2007, Muñoz emphasized that his family has long-standing, multigenerational ties to Yolo County. His maternal great-grandparents came to the United States through the Bracero Program.

Muñoz is also a first-generation college student and student-athlete, having attended the University of Houston on an athletic scholarship.

After being sworn into office, Muñoz said, “Serving this community has been important to me for many years and I am grateful for the opportunity to extend that service to the entire county, not just the city of Woodland. This opportunity means a great deal to me and I thank you so much for the opportunity.”

During the board meeting, two candidates were interviewed for the open seat. Following the interviews, Trustee Maria Olmedo moved to appoint Muñoz. Trustees Elizabeth Esquivel, Olmedo and Shelton Yip voted in favor, with Vice President Melissa Moreno abstaining.

Muñoz was administered the oath of office by county Superintendent Garth Lewis.

Following a provisional appointment, the board must notify the community within 10 days. The appointment becomes final after 30 days unless a petition is filed with the Yolo County Superintendent of Schools requesting a special election.

The Yolo County Board of Education governs the Yolo County Office of Education, approves the county office’s annual budget, and serves as the appeals board for student expulsions, interdistrict transfers and charter school petitions. The board also promotes community engagement and serves as a public link to Yolo County Office of Education programs and services.

Board members include President Esquivel representing Area 1; Vice President Moreno representing Area 2; Olmedo representing Area 3; and Yip representing Area 4.

For more information about the trustee vacancy and application process, visit www.ycoe.org.