Calaveras County Schools Superintendent Candidate Withdraws

Bill Redford cites personal commitments as reason for ending campaign to challenge incumbent Jared Hungerford

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A challenger vying for the Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools elected position has withdrawn from the race, citing personal commitments that limit his capacity to serve. Bill Redford informed the local Enterprise newspaper that he was suspending his campaign to replace current Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE) Superintendent Jared Hungerford, who had announced his intention to retain the position.

Why it matters

The Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools position has effectively been appointed for almost three decades due to a lack of challengers during election years. Redford's withdrawal means Hungerford, who was appointed to the role in 2022, is now poised to retain the elected position without opposition.

The details

Redford, who has around two decades of education experience, is currently employed by Mark Twain Union Elementary School District (MTUESD) as an educator, test examiner and the founding teacher of its recently opened Altaville School for Independent Study. He previously worked for six years at CCOE, including as a level-three director of continuous improvement and leadership development and spent three years as the administrator at Mountain Oaks Charter School.

  • In October 2025, Jared Hungerford announced his intention to retain the Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools position.
  • In early April 2022, Hungerford was appointed by the CCOE board trustees to serve out the remaining term of retiring Superintendent Karen Vail.
  • In July 2022, Hungerford fully assumed the Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools position.

The players

Jared Hungerford

The current Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools, who was appointed to the role in 2022 and is now poised to retain the elected position without opposition.

Bill Redford

A challenger who had announced in December 2025 that he was seeking to challenge Hungerford, but has now withdrawn his campaign due to personal commitments.

Karen Vail

The previous Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools, who retired in 2022 and recommended Hungerford to maintain continuity and preserve the existing culture within the organization.

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What they’re saying

“After much reflection, I have realized that this is not the right time for me and my family to pursue this role.”

— Bill Redford, Candidate for Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools (calaverasenterprise.com)

“It has been an honor to engage in this important conversation about our schools.”

— Bill Redford, Candidate for Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools (calaverasenterprise.com)

“I had recommended Jared to maintain continuity in daily operations and preserve the existing culture within the organization.”

— Karen Vail, Former Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools (calaverasenterprise.com)

What’s next

Jared Hungerford is now poised to retain the elected Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools position without opposition.

The takeaway

The withdrawal of Bill Redford's challenge means the Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools position will likely remain effectively appointed, continuing a trend of limited competition for the role over the past three decades.