The idea of calling a special election to the tune of at least
$40,000 to fill the vacant seat on the Morgan Hill Unified School
Board of Trustees was shut down at first mention; instead, the
board agreed to hold an open application and interview process.
Morgan Hill – The idea of calling a special election to the tune of at least $40,000 to fill the vacant seat on the Morgan Hill Unified School Board of Trustees was shut down at first mention; instead, the board agreed to hold an open application and interview process.
Interested community members, who must live within the MHUSD boundaries and be at least 18 years old, can begin applying now for the seventh-seat on the board. Brand-new board President Peter Mandel suggested closing the window to apply on Jan. 7, then the current board can review their statements of intent and resumes at the regular board meeting Jan. 11 and convene for a special meeting Jan. 12.
At the special session, the board will interview candidates publicly, deliberate publicly and make the decision publicly. No part of the process may be discussed behind closed doors.
The seventh seat is empty because former Trustee Julia Hover-Smoot won the Nov. 3 election for the Santa Clara County Board of Education race, surprising the community and even herself since she dropped out of the race in September though her name remained on the ballot.
Hover-Smoot accepted the position and resigned Nov. 30.
The board has until Jan. 29 to appoint someone, according to the California Education Code. The position is a two-year term until the next rotation of MHUSD school board elections in 2012.
Read more about who may try for the vacant position in the Dec. 17 edition of the Morgan Hill Times.
