The Nevada County Board of Education is the elected governing body of the Nevada County Office of Education. It’s five members serve four-year terms; are elected by voters in Nevada County; and represent different regions of the county. The primary responsibilities of the Nevada County Board of Education are to work with the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools to establish the direction and priorities for the Nevada County Office of Education through its budgetary determinations and to provide leadership to support the success of school districts in the county. In addition, supervisory oversight is provided for any charter school whose petition was accepted by the county office of education.
Board Members
Louise Bennicoff Johnson
Board Member, Trustee Area I:
Chicago Park, Nevada City, Twin Ridges, Union Hill, and Camptonville Union School Districts
Term expires 2026
Louise Bennicoff Johnson was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Penn State University, a Master’s degree in School Administration from Fresno Pacific University and a Doctorate in School Leadership from William Taft University.
A lifelong learner, teacher and coach, Louise retired from our local public schools in 2018. She taught high school biology, geology, chemistry and physics. She was an elementary school principal, a District Director of Curriculum and Instruction, an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and a California school district Superintendent for 15 years. Her most recent assignment was that of Superintendent of the Nevada Joint Union High School District where she oversaw 7 high schools in Nevada County, CA. Her personal life mission statement is, “To bring the gift of school to the children who need it most.”
Louise has returned to her love of education with a commitment to serve as a representative of Trustee Area 1 on the Nevada County Board of Education. Louise lives with her husband in Nevada City, CA and is delighted to be able to serve our beautiful community in this role.
Andy Parsons
Board Member, Trustee Area I:
Chicago Park, Nevada City, Twin Ridges, Union Hill, Nevada Joint Union High, and Camptonville Union School Districts
Term expires 2026
Andy Parsons retired from education after 30 years supporting students, staff and parents. Andy received his Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Cal State East Bay. Andy earned his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. After receiving his teaching credential at Saint Mary’s College, he became a high school Social Science teacher in the Liberty Union High School District in the San Francisco East Bay. Andy became an Assistant Principal and then the founding Principal of Heritage High School. Following his 17-year tenure at Liberty, he transitioned to Associate Superintendent of Educational Services on the San Francisco Peninsula and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services in the Sacramento Region. Andy completed his career as Superintendent of Union Hill Elementary School District serving the students, parents and staff in Nevada County.
Andy, and his wife Kathleen, moved to Nevada County in 2017. He has enjoyed retirement by volunteering as an In-Concert Sierra 3rd grade docent as well as participates in our county-wide speech and debate competitions. He has supported John Muir Charter Schools (Earle Jamieson Educational Options) and Penn Valley Elementary School District. Andy and Kathleen have two adult daughters: Kelsey who lives in San Francisco with her spouse Andrew and Marina who lives in Maine with her spouse Robin. Andy and Kathleen have thoroughly enjoyed living in Nevada County and very excited for the arrival of their first grandchild. Andy appreciates the opportunity and trust to continue his service to our educational community as a Trustee for the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
Timothy May
Board Member, Trustee Area II:
Clear Creek, Grass Valley, Penn Valley School Districts
Term expires 2028
Timothy May began his first four years of a lifelong career in education teaching English at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California, followed by a forty-year tenure at Yuba Community College in Marysville, California. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Utah and an M.A. in English from the University of Pacific in Stockton. In addition to teaching full time at Yuba, he also held leadership positions in the Faculty Association and the Faculty Academic Senate.
Timothy is a father to three grown children, all married, all graduates of the Nevada County School System, and all living in California, with two grandchildren and two more on the way. A thirty-year resident of Nevada County, Timothy lives in Grass Valley with his partner, Carolyn.
Heino L. Nicolai
Board President, Trustee Area II:
Clear Creek, Grass Valley, Penn Valley School Districts
Term expires 2026
Heino came to the U.S. in 1958 from Dresden in former East Germany and grew up in upstate New York. He has an AAS in Electronics Technology and a BSIT from San Jose State and worked for IBM Corp. until he moved to Nevada County in 1990. He has been married for 32 years and has two daughters who graduated from Nevada Union. Heino is now 90% retired still doing a bit of work selling training software to the maritime industry. He served on Clear Creek’s school Board for 17 years, was a member of the Nevada County School Boards Association and a Board member of Beyers Lane Community Service District. Heino enjoys working on projects around the house, riding his mountain and road bikes, doing dance aerobics several times per week, and volunteering with various community organizations.
Wendy Baker
Board Member, Trustee Area III:
Pleasant Ridge School District
Term expires 2028
Wendy earned her B.A. and Teaching Credential from U.C. Riverside and taught elementary education there for three years before relocating to Nevada County in 1982. She then continued her teaching career at the Pleasant Ridge Union School District, where she dedicated thirty-five more years to elementary education before retiring. Wendy previously served as a Trustee for the Nevada County Board of Education from 2017 to 2020. She has one daughter, a Bear River High School graduate, who is now an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Georgia State University. Wendy volunteers for numerous community organizations while enjoying an active lifestyle of swimming, tennis, golf, bowling, and traveling.
Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by Carol White