Elaine Landro had been hoping she might one day become a member of the Byron Union School Board (BUSD), she just didn’t know it would happen so soon.

But as a result of last month’s surprise resignation of trustee Lisa Hultz – whose term expires in 2010 – Landro pushed up her timetable and threw her hat into the ring. On Nov. 17, the BUSD board unanimously appointed Landro to the vacant board seat.

“I had been thinking about running (in 2010) but when Lisa (Hultz) had to resign, it did open up an opportunity for me,” said Landro. “The (appointment) meeting went very well. They interviewed us (the candidates), voted, swore me in and put me up there to start making decisions. It all happened very quickly.” Landro is already a familiar name to many teachers and parents in the district. The working mom and longtime PTA member’s daughter attends Discovery Bay Elementary and her son Excelsior Middle School.

But taking on the role of board trustee will impose its own learning curve. “I’ve been super involved in the schools for years,” said Landro. “But being on the board will allow me to be more involved in the working end of things. All my former work has had to do with fundraising, so this will give me a little more insight into how things operate from a policy standpoint.”

A total of four candidates – residents Bob Green, Jim Madison, Dave Turner and Landro – applied for the empty board seat. “I just want to say that the other candidates were all very qualified and extremely eloquent,” said Landro. “I was proud to be considered along with them.”

BUSD Board President Ken Silman said that while all the candidates were indeed qualified, Landro was the perfect choice: “All the candidates were very, very good. They were positive and candid and qualified. I had a little score sheet in front of me to help keep track of each candidate, and in the end I had two (applicants) that were tied for first place, and the other two were a half point and one full point behind, so it was very close.

“I am very excited to have Elaine on board. She has a lot to offer in terms of experience and she brings a very positive energy to the board.”

Landro is looking forward to contributing to a school district that she said is already blessed with a dedicated staff and outstanding students. “There are a lot of really great things going on here (in the district), but like all school districts we are facing financial issues, so the coming year will be one of decisions, I’m sure. I believe the district’s priorities will continue to be the completion of the Measure C dollars.

“Also, the advancements we have made in resource, getting to all the children not just academically, but socially as well, have been great and I look forward to continuing that. I’m really looking forward to working with the board. It’s exciting.”

Landro will serve out Hultz’s seat until November of 2010, when four of the board’s five seats expire (Silman’s seat expires in 2012). If all goes well, she hopes to be elected to a seat next year.

“This (appointment) gives me a year to see how it works out, and I’m already enjoying it,” she said. “I’m excited and things are already rolling. They have put me right to work; I’ve already got my hands to the flame. It’s going to be a good year.”