LAKEPORT— After losing its member for Trustee Area 5, the Lake County Board of Education appointed Itzia Rico to fill the vacancy at the Wednesday, June 14, 2023, board meeting.
The vacancy occurred on April 27, 2023, due to the death of Board Member Anna Rose Ravenwoode.
The Lake County Office of Education held a public recruitment for board candidates and received three applications. Applicants include Itzia Rico, Shauna Petker and Gary Olson.
During a regular board meeting, Board Members Denise Loustalot, Melissa Kinsel, Mark Cooper and Nancy Hudson interviewed the three applicants during open session.
Following the board’s deliberation, the trustees voted to appoint Rico who was then sworn in. The term of her appointment will be until December 2024.
Rico is a long-time Lake County resident and the owner of Studebakers coffee shop located in downtown Kelseyville. She is part of the Kelseyville Business Association and has served as their secretary.
“I realize how important it is for our youth to succeed. They are the future of our communities,” Rico said. “Through my own children, I see how much teachers influence our kids, I hope to learn how I can help too, as a Board Member.”
Rico is a mother of five children, four of whom are enrolled at Kelseyville Unified School District. She has volunteered in classrooms, coached youth basketball and held free volleyball camp for middle school players that did not make the school team.
LCOE officials noted that she is always looking for ways on how she can support schools and Lake County students.
“Her ties to the community, perspective as a parent and her focus on putting students first is a welcome addition to the dynamic of the Board of Education,” said Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools.
The Board of Education thanks all applicants for putting themselves up for consideration.
Pursuant to California Ed Code section 5091, the Lake County Board of Education Trustees provisionally appointed Itzia Rico to fill the vacancy on June 14, 2023. Unless a petition calling for a special election containing a sufficient number of signatures is filed with the Lake County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of the provisional appointment, the appointment shall become an effective appointment.
