Chico Voters to Select Trustee Area 5 Representative
Residents of Chico Unified School District Area 5 will head to the polls on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Should local school board members prioritize professional consensus-building experience over representing typical parent viewpoints?
Voters in Chico will decide the future of the Trustee Area 5 seat on the Chico Unified School District Board on November 3, 2026. The election features three candidates vying for the representative role.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine representation for families within the district, with candidates focusing on curriculum standards and staffing policies. The seat is central to the district governance structure established in 2022.
There are three candidates competing for the seat in Trustee Area 5, which was created following the district's structural split in February 2022. Ballots have been distributed to eligible voters residing within the designated area.
The players
Lance Atkins
He is the CEO of Capay Farms and a candidate for the Trustee Area 5 seat who currently has five children enrolled in the district.
Amy Ford
She is one of the three candidates running for the vacant representative seat in Trustee Area 5.
Caitlin Dalby
She is one of the three candidates running for the vacant representative seat in Trustee Area 5.
The details
Candidate Lance Atkins, who serves as the CEO of Capay Farms, is running against fellow candidates Amy Ford and Caitlin Dalby. Atkins is self-financing his campaign and emphasizes addressing classroom technology, special education staffing, and parental representation on the board.
Timeline
The district split into Trustee Areas in February 2022.
Election Day for the Trustee Area 5 seat is November 3, 2026.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Culture Shift
This election follows the administrative transition to a trustee-based representative model finalized in 2022. The shift marks a move toward localized board accountability for specific geographic areas within the school district.
Residents of Trustee Area 5 must cast their ballots by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026, to participate in the selection of their board representative. Voting will be held at the Chico State University Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.
The takeaway
Voters should review candidate platforms regarding district curriculum and special education staffing before heading to the polls. Participation in this election directly impacts the policy direction for schools within the Trustee Area 5 boundaries.
Further reading
Learn more about local community developments in the Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Should local school board members prioritize professional consensus-building experience over representing typical parent viewpoints?
