HUNTINGTON BEACH : Simons Appointed to School Board

Trustees of the Huntington Beach Union High School District have chosen Michael H. Simons, 46, a podiatrist, to serve on the board.

He will be sworn in before the board’s next meeting on Feb. 26.

Board President Charmayne Bohman said she believes that Simons’ appointment was “a very tough decision, because all three (finalists) seemed well-qualified candidates. They were equally strong.”

Bohman added that she welcomed Simons’ experience in dealing with state legislators. As a member of various medical boards, Simons said he frequently has lobbied officials about proposed legislation.

Simons will succeed Linda Moulton-Patterson, who resigned from the board in December after being elected to the Huntington Beach City Council. Because Moulton-Patterson’s term was scheduled to expire this year, Simons must face reelection in November to retain his seat. He said he will serve several months on the board before deciding whether to run.

Simons was chosen for the board from an original field of nine candidates, after two rounds of interviews with trustees. His appointment comes six months after the board chose Bonnie Bruce to become a new member. Last August, Bruce replaced David Warfield, who had resigned his board seat.

In both cases, the board opted to appoint its new member rather than call for a special election, which officials estimate would have cost the district more than $70,000.