8-23-06 The question is, will it be another secret session interviewing of the candidates or will it be in public? Will the public will be allowed to ask questions of the candidates?
A good example is the College of the Canyons where applicant interviews for the vacant fifth seat on the College of the Canyons board of trustees will be held today in public, with the board scheduled to make its selection immediately following the interview process.
As of August 11 she failed to submit a letter of resignation of her position as a school board trustee to either the school or the county as required by law.
There has been considerable debate whether or not she has been a resident and qualified as a school board trustee after she sold her house and the rest of her family, except her son, moved to Texas. She originally stated she intend to serve on the school board until her son graduated in June.
She then surprised most people my staying on the school board and claiming that she intended to remain an Acton resident.
The best guess is that the board has 60 days from August 10 to appoint a new board member. If sufficient numbers of the community feel that in new appointed member is unsatisfactory than about 125 signatures on a petition can force an election. This would cost the district about $40,000 for special election. See California Codes Education Code Section 5090-5095
The board needs to recognize that the appointed member must have broad appeal to both political sides in the community. Any attempt to appoint Kathy Howald's hand chosen candidate will guarantee a special election. Just as appointing Charles Brink would guarantee an election.
An application form should be available with the same requirements as a person running for office. Let's hope that a person who has significant knowledge of the school and most importantly the communities applies and that both sides and the school board will approve.