SOMIS : School District Hires New Superintendent

The board of the Somis Union Elementary School District has hired a new superintendent to head the embattled one-school district.

The board formally introduced Thelma Edmundson at its meeting Wednesday night. Edmundson, 50, has served as superintendent of the Mount Baldy Joint School District in San Bernardino County for the past three years.

Although Edmundson started her new job Thursday, she will continue to work for the Mount Baldy district until Oct. 1, when her contract with the Somis district is expected to be finalized, officials said. Edmundson will spend part of the week in Somis and the remainder in Mount Baldy.

Until her contract is completed, she will be paid by the day, board Chairwoman Alda Perry said.

Edmundson replaces Dale Forgey, who was ousted in May after serving 12 years as superintendent of the 325-student Somis district. His termination, which, according to the board, came after three years of poor performance evaluations, sparked outrage in the community and caused some parents to join forces in a drive to remove the three members who voted not to renew Forgey’s contract.

The recall group has accused Perry, Miguel Mejia and Debbie Carpenter of acting in a fiscally irresponsible manner and of improperly conducting much of the board’s business in closed session. The three have denied the accusations.

Forgey believes that he still has another year left on his contract. He has said that if he does not find another job by the start of the fall semester, he will return as a teacher at Somis School in September.

Edmundson’s salary is still being negotiated, Perry said. Forgey’s annual salary was $70,364.

Edmundson was chosen from 49 applicants, six of whom were interviewed Aug. 12 by board members and a 10-member community panel.

“She’s very enthusiastic, she’s very intelligent, she’s a good communicator, she’s a leader, and she likes challenges,” Perry said.

Also at the meeting, the board voted to call for a recall election on Dec. 15. Perry, Carpenter and Mejia were elected to the board three years ago.

The special election will cost the district $2,300.