BY CRAIG SHULTZ
The Hemet school board decided Tuesday to fill an opening on the panel through an appointment. The vacancy occurred when trustee Lisa DeForest resigned Feb. 10 because she moved out of the district. DeForest represented Trustee Area 3 on the Hemet Unified School District Board of Trustees. Four other trustees also represent Hemet proper, and two more seats represent the outlying areas of the sprawling district. Applications for the seat are due March 13, and the board intends to interview candidates and make an appointment at its April 7 meeting. The appointee will serve the remainder of DeForest’s term, which expires in December 2016. The new trustee will come in at a time of labor peace, as the district and teachers union recently came to an agreement after almost two years of acrimony and a threatened strike. Most government boards choose to fill unexpected openings through appoint ments, saving the costs of elections. This will be the school board’s second appointment in recent years. Trustee Bill Sanborn, who represented Idyllwild for two decades, resigned in 2013 because he was moving. Vic Scarvarda was appointed to the seat. He ran unopposed in November. Two seats in Area 3 were available in the November election, but no one chal lenged Joe Wojcik and Ross Valenzuela, who were seated for new terms. Megan Haley was elected to replace the retiring Paul Bakkom for the seat representing Anza, Aguanga and Sage. The seat is open to any registered voter living within the trustee area. Hemet Unified board members receive $400 permonth and are eligible for district-paid health and other benefits. Applications are available on the district website,hemetusd.org , or at the district office, 1791 W. Acacia Ave. CONTACT THE WRITER: 951-368-9086 or [email protected] HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OPENING
What:Filling a trustee opening on the Hemet Unified School District Board of Trustees When: Applications due March 13 Appointment: Candidate interviews and appointment expected April 7 Info: hemetusd.org or at the district office, 1791 W. Acacia Ave.