A Placer school board candidate dropped out. Who is campaigning for him against his will?

Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com .

A Placer Unified High School District school board candidate made the decision in late September that he would drop out of the race , but an effort to elect Jeremy Jeffreys — whose name will still be listed on the November ballot — has reemerged with yard signs and a new Facebook page.

Jeffreys told the Sacramento Bee that he decided to drop out of the race on Sept. 25. The following day, he informed the Placer County Elections Office of his decision as well as his only opponent Gayle Hamm, to whom he promised that he would decline the oath of office if elected.

On Oct. 7, a new campaign Facebook page sprang up, even though Jeffreys had previously deleted all the posts on his original page . Two days later, yard signs campaigning for Jeffreys started popping up around the district, including on Hamm’s front yard. People began questioning if Jeffreys had really dropped out.

Jeffreys said that he dropped out after finding out he did not receive the endorsement of the district’s teachers union. Jeffreys said he had wanted to win the seat to advocate for school employees after a negative experience he had while employed by the district as a teacher. That motivation was defeated, ahead of the election, by the lack of support from their union. He also cited personal health issues as contributing to his decision.

His departure left Hamm as the sole candidate in the running for Trustee Area 1. She was excited by the sudden news that she would be running unopposed but nervous about what the election process might look like as Jeffreys dropped out of the race too late to be removed from the ballot.

If Jeffreys earns more votes than Hamm and declines the seat, the board has the authority to appoint a replacement.

Jeffreys says signs are not his doing

Jeffreys denies all involvement in the revival of his campaign.

“I personally have no involvement in these campaign materials and have no intention of resuming my campaign for school board,” Jeffreys said. “I had no idea anyone was buying or giving out signs. I want nothing to do with any of it.”

Jay Wierenga, spokesperson for the Fair Political Practices Commission, said that there is no requirement that a candidate consent to campaign efforts on their behalf.

“It doesn’t matter … whether a candidate wants the support or not,” Wierenga said. “Obviously, generally speaking, most of the time they do.”

Jeffreys had previously received endorsements from many local conservative figures and organizations, including U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, the Republican Party of Placer County and the Christian-interest group American Council. Jeffreys remains on the Placer Republican’s endorsement list .

Jeffreys also said that he was not behind the new Facebook account and that he has contacted the Placer County Elections Office to inform them of what is going on.

“While I cannot control what others choose to do, I can only reiterate that I have no hand in any of the recent campaign signs that have appeared in our community,” he said.

After the Bee broke the news that Jeffreys chose to drop out, he said he received a lot of pushback from people who disagreed with his decision.

“After ending my campaign, I received several disconcerting calls from individuals that were unhappy that my departure leaves only one candidate — someone they have concerns about,” he said. “It would not be fair of me to guess who is responsible for continuing to promote me as a candidate.”

Who is campaigning for Jeffreys?

Jonathan Zachreson, a conservative board member for Roseville City Elementary School District, said that while he is not involved in the effort to elect Jeffreys, he has been in contact with the group that is behind the signs. He said that the anonymous group asked for his advice on campaign finance, as they are trying to spend under $1,000 to avoid having to disclose the spending to the state.

“There’s still a lot of community support for Jeffreys,” he said.

Zachreson said he had permission to speak on behalf of the group, but that those actually involved did not wish to speak with the Bee. He said the group seeks to elect Jeffreys (whether he accepts or declines the office) to resist appointing a candidate who they assume will be deferential to the district superintendent, Jeffrey Tooker.

The elected official pointed to the superintendent’s involvement in a lawsuit where his ex-wife, also a school district employee, has alleged harassment and discrimination after her application to become an assistant principal last school year was not processed. Tooker’s employment contract was recently renewed for another four years following a positive performance review.

Zachreson said he appreciates what the group is doing.

“They need someone who is going to make sure that administration is transparent and held accountable,” Zachreson said. “It’s very clear that we have to have accountability in that district and get people who are not connected to the current superintendent.”

Hamm responds to concerns about her candidacy

Hamm, a retired occupational therapist who has worked at schools around the county, denies any prior involvement with Tooker or that she would be deferential to him as a board member.

She said that she had only met Tooker in passing before Jeffreys exited the race and later met with him since becoming the sole campaigning candidate to discuss what it would be like should she be seated as a board member.

“I am aware of some of the issues that have surrounded his tenure and as a board member, one of our responsibilities is to evaluate the superintendent’s performance,” she said. She added that she was committed to holding him accountable if needed.

Tooker also denied any previous contact with Hamm.

“I know my role in this election, which is not to have one,” he said. In reference to Zachreson’s claims against him on behalf of the anonymous group, he said that he appreciated that “a Roseville resident is so concerned about the kids of Placer Union High School District.”

Hamm chose to continue campaigning after first hearing word that Jeffreys was withdrawing from the race and says she will continue to move forward despite the campaign for her unwilling opponent.

“I would like the voters of this district to decide without outside interference from groups who appear to have an agenda,” she said. “I’m really just trying to serve the public — I don’t want to get messy or dirty about it.”

She said that she is primarily focused on continuing her candidacy. In recent weeks she has gained endorsements from the district teachers union and Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, the Placer County Superintendent of Schools.

“I want to focus on serving students and families in this community, and I believe that I will be thoughtful and diligent in taking the responsibility of being a board member seriously,” she said. “I welcome the input of community members and families to help me make solid decisions and work with the board to ensure the education of our students.”