Meet the Board

Fred Keplinger, President

Fred Keplinger was appointed to the Ukiah Unified Board of Education in April 2022. He was raised in Ukiah and has lived here for most of his life. He is the father of two Ukiah High School graduates, and teaches Dual enrollment for Mendocino College. Mr. Keplinger is a retired Ukiah Police Officer and previously served as the Ukiah Police Officers Association president. Mr. Keplinger was the cadet coordinator for the Ukiah Police Department while serving there. He has been the Volunteer Liaison for Devil Pups of America, a demanding physical and academic good citizenship program for teenagers. He also taught fifth grade at Eagle Peak Middle School. He may be reached via e-mail at: [email protected]

Trustee Area 2 - Current Term Expires 12/11/2026

trustee carolyn johnson in bright blue in front of fall trees

Carolyn Johnson, Vice President

Carolyn Johnson was elected to the Ukiah Unified Board of Education in 2022. Carolyn began her local career in education in 1973 as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Redwood Valley Elementary School (RVES). Eventually, she became vice principal of RVES and principal of Eagle Peak Middle School, retiring from Ukiah Unified in 2010. Carolyn’s experience in education also includes teaching on the Rosebud Sicangu Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, teaching Government & U.S. History at Ukiah High School, serving as Dean of Students at Ukiah High School, and as the Community Schools representative to the Mendocino County Office of Education. She has been married to her husband, Norm, for 50 years. They have two children and eight grandchildren—all of whom attend or have attended Ukiah Unified schools. Carolyn may be reached via email at: [email protected].

Trustee Area 4 - Current Term Expires 12/13/2028

Zoey Fernandez, Clerk

Zoey Fernandez was elected to the Ukiah Unified Board of Education in 2013. Zoey is a lifelong Mendocino County resident. She is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and earned her teaching credential from Sonoma State University. She taught kindergarten for Willits Unified School District for ten years. Her time is now devoted to her two young children, as well as volunteering at their Ukiah Unified School. Zoey may be reached via email at: [email protected]

Trustee Area 3 - Current Term Expires 12/13/2028

Beatriz "Bea" Arkin

Bea Arkin was first elected to the Ukiah Board of Education in 2001 and is currently serving her 5th term. As a parent of children who attended Ukiah schools, Ms. Arkin volunteered for 30 years in various classrooms and grades. She has been active in school PTA’s and has served on School Site Councils at all levels; elementary, middle school and high school. Ms. Arkin may be reached via e-mail at: [email protected]

Trustee Area 1 - Current Term Expires 12/11/2026

Tyler Nelson

Tyler Nelson was elected to the Ukiah Unified Board of Education in 2013. A graduate of Ukiah High, he earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agriculture Business at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He resides in the Hopland area with his wife and two children. In addition to farming with his father Greg Nelson and brother Chris Nelson, Tyler has been an active volunteer serving as PTA and Site Council member at his children’s Ukiah Unified school. He has previously served as a Director of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau and the Mendocino County Resource Conservation district. Tyler may be reached via email at: [email protected]

Trustee Area 7 - Current Term Expires 12/11/2026

John Bailey

John Bailey was elected to the Ukiah Unified Board of Education in 2024. A graduate of Ukiah High School, where he ran track and served as ASB President, he earned his BS and MBA at University of California at Santa Cruz. John is the Director of the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center, a 5,358 acre center with 15-20 annual research projects and roughly 3000 educational program participants. His board experience includes the River Oak Charter School, Ukiah Natural Foods, The Good Farm Fund, and the Russian River Flood Control District. He has two children, one at UC San Diego and one at Ukiah High School. He enjoys working on his house, gardening, motorcycle riding, backpacking, reading, and spending time with friends outdoors. John may be reached via email at [email protected]

Trustee Area 5 - Current Term Expires 12/13/2028

Trustee Area 6 is Vacant

Ukiah Unified School District is currently accepting applications for a vacancy on its Board of Trustees for Trustee Area 6. The appointed individual will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires in December 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must be registered voters residing in Trustee Area 6. Those interested in applying are encouraged to download the application at www.uusd.net or pick up a paper application at the District Service Center, 511 S. Orchard Avenue in Ukiah.

Completed applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Qualified applicants will be interviewed during an open session at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Trustee Area 6 - Current Term Expires 12/11/2026