Jackie LaBarbera submitted her resignation letter to Shasta County Superintendent of Schools Mike Freeman on September 23, 2026, ending nearly four years of service on the Anderson Union High School District (AUHSD) board. The resignation took effect immediately.
Legal backdrop
The resignation came one day after the California Attorney General’s Office issued a legal opinion supporting a lawsuit filed by West Valley High School teacher Tamara Pellow. The opinion, released on September 22, 2026, found that LaBarbera’s simultaneous service on the AUHSD board and the Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE) board presented a “substantial legal issue” under state law.
Pellow’s complaint argued that holding both positions was illegitimate because the two seats are incompatible, and that LaBarbera’s residence outside the AUHSD district since January 2025 further violated district bylaws and state statutes. LaBarbera publicly acknowledged moving out of the district in January 2025 and informed the AUHSD board of the change in June 2025.
Board response and bylaw change
Following LaBarbera’s admission of out‑of‑district residency, the AUHSD board amended its bylaws to allow members to serve without maintaining district residency. However, the amendment did not retroactively legalize LaBarbera’s prior 18 months of service, which the Attorney General’s opinion deemed a violation.
Shasta County Office of Education spokesperson Kerri Schuette confirmed that SCOE received the resignation and that the agency had been monitoring the situation.
Potential lawsuit
Pellow indicated that her attorneys have drafted a lawsuit seeking LaBarbera’s removal from office, a $5,000 fine, and reimbursement of attorney’s fees. The suit had been slated for filing later in the week, but LaBarbera’s resignation may render the action unnecessary. “Right now I’m just happy she’s stepped down,” Pellow said by phone.
She emphasized that the case matters primarily for district staff and students, stating, “It’s an example that policies and rules are to be followed, and when you choose not to, there are consequences and you have to be accountable for your behavior.”
Community reaction
Community member Jeff Carr, who previously filed a complaint against LaBarbera and secured an agreement requiring her resignation in November 2025, expressed relief at the development. The resignation resolves a lingering dispute that has drawn attention to the importance of adhering to residency requirements and board eligibility rules.
The AUHSD board will now appoint a replacement to fill the vacant seat, ensuring continuity of governance for the district’s 1,800 students across its three high schools.
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
