PRESS RELEASE - July 6, 2022

PRESS RELEASE - BY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE BOARD ROOM AT EUREKA CITY SCHOOLS NAMED IN HONOR OF RETIRED BOARD MEMBER FRANCES H. TAPLIN, WHO SERVED AS AN EDUCATOR AND TRUSTEE FOR OVER 57 YEARS
Posted on 07/06/2022

EUREKA, CA – July 6, 2022 –  Eureka City Schools is pleased to announce the official naming of the Board Room at the District Office the Frances H. Taplin Board Room.  On June 23, 2022, the Board of Education adopted a resolution formally dedicating the Board Room to Mrs. Frances H. Taplin, who served within Eureka City Schools as an educator and trustee for over 57 years.  When discussing the recognition, Mrs. Taplin conveyed, “Working for the schools is something that is a part of me.  I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t a part of Eureka City Schools.  During my time as a teacher, followed by my time as a Board member, the District became a part of my family.  It always has been.”  

The anticipated dedication and naming of the Board Room, which was first announced at the Eureka High School graduation ceremony on June 17, 2022, came as a sweet surprise to Mrs. Taplin.  During the graduation, after enjoying a special dedication of the “School Song” by Limited Edition, Superintendent Van Vleck read the proposed resolution.  At that time he noted the resolution, if approved by the Board on June 23, 2022, would name the Board Room the Frances H. Taplin Board Room. After the resolution was passed by the Board on June 23, 2022, Superintendent Van Vleck said, “I cannot think of a more deserving person to name the Board Room after.  It is very fitting that all the direction from the Board from here on out will happen in a room named in Mrs. Taplin’s honor.” 

While Mrs. Taplin’s resignation was effective on June 18, 2022, she still plans to be actively involved in the schools and her community.  She is also looking forward to spending more time with her family members who live locally and out of the area.  When asked for her thoughts on retiring from the Board of Education after 26 years, Mrs. Taplin notes, “I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful people.  The experiences I have had as the Eureka Teachers Association President broadened my horizons.  I have made some wonderful friends on the local, state, and national levels.  My friends have come from my experiences in education, whether it be a student or family member.”


A recap of the information contained in Board Resolution No. 21-22-035 is listed below.

  • Mrs. Frances Hunt Taplin graduated from Eureka High School, Class of 1951;
  • Mrs. Taplin came to work for Eureka City Schools in 1964 after working as a teacher at Woods Elementary Schools in Carmel, CA for six years;
  • Mrs. Taplin worked at Franklin School from 1964 to 1977, teaching grades 4, 5, and 6, and at Lafayette Elementary School from 1977 through 1995, teaching grades 5 and 6; 
  • Mrs. Taplin served as the Eureka Teachers Association President for a total of seven years (non-consecutive terms); 
  • Mrs. Taplin retired from Eureka City Schools in 1995 after teaching for a total 37 years, 31 of which were with Eureka City Schools; 
  • Mrs. Taplin served as a Trustee on the Eureka City Schools Governing Board from 1996 to 2022, for a total of 26 years, including service as the Board President; 
  • Mrs. Taplin has served the students, families, and staff, of the State of California for over 63 years, and Eureka City Schools as an educator and as a Board Member for over 57 years;  
  • Mrs. Taplin has worked tirelessly within the public school system to educate our children to become responsible and productive citizens, well-equipped with the qualities needed of our future leaders; and
  • With the above contributions clearly establishing Mrs. Taplin’s dedication to Eureka City Schools, and as an acknowledgment of Mrs. Taplin’s service and generosity, the Governing Board wishes to name the Eureka City Schools Board Room the Frances H. Taplin Board Room. 

A full copy of Resolution 21-22-023 is located on the Eureka City Schools website under Board Documents. 

Press Contact:
Micalyn Harris, Executive Assistant
Superintendent’s Office
[email protected]
Tel: 707-441-2414

Fran Taplin

Fran Taplin

Fran Taplin

Fran Taplin