Board of Trustees

In-Person Board Meeting Attendance & Public Comment

• Board Meetings are held at the Union School District Office (5175 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124)

• Public comment may be provided in person during the meeting. Please fill in a "blue card" and provide to the administrative assistant prior to the start of the meeting. Speakers will be called to the podium during the Community Comment period.

• The public may address the Board on any agenda item and any item not on the agenda during regular Board meetings. If you would like to address the Board during Community Comments on any agenda item or any item not on the agenda, individual comment time is customarily 3 minutes per speaker.  However, in accordance with the Brown Act (Section 54954.3(b) of the Government Code), the Board may limit the total amount of time allocated for comment on a particular issue, which means speakers may be allocated 1-2 minutes if the number of comments is large. To ensure that all speakers are provided an equal opportunity to address the Board during Community Comments, individual speakers may not “yield” their allotted time to address the Board to other speakers. The Board of Trustees may choose to reserve their responses for discussion and action when the agenda item appears during the course of the meeting. It should be noted that the Board discourages complaints against individual officers or employees of the District during open session.

• As always, if you would like to send a message to the Board, you can contact all Board Members by emailing board@unionsd.org. 

Vickie Brown

President

Contact

Current Term: 2024-2028

Vickie Brown has been a USD Board Member since 2004. Previously a configuration engineering manager, she is now a full time mom. Her children attended USD schools through elementary and middle school.

Sheila Billings

Vice President

Contact

Current Term: 2022-2026

Sheila Billings has served on the USD Board of Trustees since 2002. She is a public school teacher, currently teaching 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential and her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. Her three children attended USD schools from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Aengus Linehan

Clerk

Contact

Current Term: 2025-2026

Aengus Linehan joined the Board of Trustees in June 2025.  He immigrated with his family to the USA in 1999 and has lived in the community since then. He works in the technology sector, and his three children attended Noddin Elementary and Union Middle School.

Jennifer Petroff

Member

Contact

Current Term: 2024-2028

Jennifer Petroff has served as a Union School District Board Member since 2016. Ms. Petroff works as a medical social worker, holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her three children have attended USD schools.

Thomas E. Rossmeissl

Member

Contact

Current Term: 2022-2026

Thomas E. Rossmeissl has served as a Union School District Board Member since 2017. He has lived in this community since 2011 and raised his children here, both of whom attended USD schools. Mr. Rossmeissl is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in assisting clients address complicated legal issues. He received his law degree with high honors from Georgetown University and his undergraduate degree with highest honors from UC Davis. He is also an active member of the Silicon Valley Bar Association and has served on its Board of Trustees for many years. 

At the June 8, 2026 Board meeting, the Board approved Resolution 25-26-20: A Resolution of the Governing Board of the Union School District Calling a General Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and Requesting Consolidation and Performance of Services from the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters.

Who Can Run?

Any person, regardless of sex, who is 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the state, a resident of Union School District, a registered voter, and who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office, is eligible to be elected or appointed a member of a governing board of a school district without further qualifications. (California Education Code Section 35107)

Role and Responsibilities of the Governing Board of Trustees

Union School District's Board of Trustees is composed of five elected members who serve four-year terms, with elections held in even-numbered years and terms staggered so that only two or three seats are up for election each cycle. In November 2026, USD has three seats up for election.

The Union School District Board of Trustees works with the Superintendent to:

• Provide direction for the District

• Establish District policies and procedures

• Ensures accountability

• Provide community leadership on behalf of the district and public education.

The Board of Trustees prioritizes learning for all students by setting clear goals and defining expectations for positive outcomes. It establishes the structure for effective governance, provides community oversight, and safeguards the public’s interest in maintaining a free and equitable public education system. These responsibilities are essential to ensuring the school system remains accountable to the community.

Authority resides with the Board as a whole rather than with individual members. As such, Board Members carry out their responsibilities collaboratively, working as a unified governance team alongside the Superintendent to make decisions that best serve all students.

In California, there are approximately 1,083 school districts and county offices of education, and they are governed by more than 5,000 school board members. The state’s public education system is the largest in the United States, serving over 6 million students.

Statement of Qualifications & Election Costs

To encourage voter participation and candidacy, the District shall pay half of the costs associated with individual candidate statements, including printing, handling, translation, mailing, and/or electronic distribution, in accordance with Elections Code 13307. (Board Bylaw 9220) 

A total of up to $20,000 shall be paid by USD (in order of candidate filing date) to offset the costs associated with candidate statements. Candidate statements shall be limited to no more than 200 words. (Elections Code 13307)

Interested in Running?

If you are interested in becoming a Union School District Board member, the Santa Clara County School Boards Association will host a FREE Candidate Workshop on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, located at 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose, 95112.

This workshop is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in running for a school board position in the November 2026 General Election. Attendees will hear directly from representatives from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, who will provide an overview of the candidate filing process, election requirements, and other important information prospective candidates need to know.

Attendees will have ample opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion. This event is highly recommended for both first-time candidates and incumbent board members considering reelection.

Please register at this link: SCCSBA Candidate Workshop

If you are interested in running for one of the open Board positions, you may obtain Candidate Nomination Documents at the Office of the Registrar of Voters beginning July 13th. 

• Office of Registrar of Voters Website

• Monday, July 13th - First-day candidates may pick up nomination documents from the Office of Registrar Voters (Opens 8 am)

• Friday, August 7th - Deadline to file all required nomination documents (Closes 5 pm)

Contact the Office of Registrar Voters

1555 Berger Drive

Building 2, 3rd Floor

San Jose, CA 95112

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Toll-Free Phone Number: (408) 299-8639

Email: candidateservices@rov.sccgov.org