LOS ALAMITOS : Residents Can Apply to Join School Board

Applications are available for area residents who want to fill a vacancy on the board of the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

Trustee Jeanne Flint, whose family is moving to Irvine, resigned last month from the five-person board. Her term expires in November.

Trustees have decided to fill the position rather than wait for the November election to avoid possible voting deadlocks.

“(The trustees) also want to hear a fifth voice from the community,” Assistant Supt. David Hatton said.

The school district serves Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and Seal Beach. Residents who attended last month’s school board meeting urged the board to select a Seal Beach resident to replace Flint, who lives in Seal Beach. The four other trustees all live in Rossmoor.

Hatton said March 18 is the deadline for applications. The candidates will be presented to the community at a public forum March 24 at McGaugh Elementary School. Trustees will interview the applicants April 4.

“At least three people have called and indicated they are interested,” said Hatton, although he declined to identify them. No one has submitted an application yet, he said.

To be eligible for appointment, Hatton said candidates must live in the school district, be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and able to attend school board meetings and other functions.

Trustees receive $240 a month, are eligible for medical and health insurance for themselves, but not for dependents, and are reimbursed for expenses while on official business.

The other trustees are President Virginia Wilson, Del Clark, Keith Polakoff and Donna Artukovic.