There will be no November election for the Calistoga Unified Joint School District board.

The only two candidates who filed for one of the board's three open spots will be appointed by school officials, who'd rather make that move than wait for the inevitable outcome of the election. District officials are searching for someone to fill the final vacancy on the five-member board.

Calistoga schools Superintendent Jeff Johnson said the two new members will be sworn in Dec. 2 to begin four-year terms. They are Susan Hoffman, 60, a retired marketing executive, and Dana Cole, 56, a retired California Department of Forestry division fire chief.

Current trustees Peggy Berlin and Susanna Villasenor decided not to run for re-election this year.

The spot the district is still looking to fill was formerly occupied by Carrie Domogalla. Domogalla resigned in February, and two years remain on her four-year term. Hoffman was appointed in April to fill Domogalla's seat, but she will now have a full term of her own.

Johnson said the board must appoint the third trustee before the Nov. 7 election. The deadline to apply is Oct. 11.

"On Oct. 16, the board will hold a special meeting, where they will interview candidates interested for the remaining two-year position," Johnson said.

Members of the board of trustees do not receive pay or benefits.

Issues that Johnson expects the board to confront include developing instructional programs to meet state and federal academic standards, closing the gap between native English speaking students and English learners -- who made up about 45 percent of the student body last year -- and deciding if and when to build a new middle school, playing fields and gymnasium.

Last school year, the district had a total of 815 students in its three schools.

Johnson noted that this is the first time the district has had to appoint the new crop of trustees, and said he believes the lack of candidates this year was just an aberration.

"In the last election we had more candidates than openings," he said. "It has not been a problem."

The new trustees

Hoffman, who has lived in Calistoga for 10 years and became a volunteer tutor five years ago, said she is excited to be on the board.

"I really love working with kids and meeting their parents, and I've formed a huge appreciation for both the challenges and dedication of the teachers," she said.

Cole, a Calistoga resident of 19 years, said he wants to increase parental involvement and help deal with the challenges brought on by state and federal education mandates.

"I'm committed to the success of the public schools ... and I'd like to do what I can to get more parental involvement from the Latino community," Cole said. "Parental involvement is a key target for improving education."

Those interested in applying for the remaining term can contact district secretary Grace Carcerano at 942-4703.