NORWALK, LA MIRADA : School Board Seat to Be Filled by Appointment

Norwalk-La Mirada school board members have decided to fill a vacant seat by appointment rather than by a special election.

The board voted unanimously this week to appoint a trustee on June 13 to succeed Jesse M. Luera, who was elected to the Norwalk City Council last month.

Luera’s school board term would have expired in 1997, but the seat will be placed on the ballot for the next school board election in November, 1995, officials said. By appointing a member to fill the position until then, the district will avoid the cost of a special election, which county officials said would range from $55,000 to $137,000.

Some parents had urged the board to appoint Sandra J. Thorne, who narrowly lost in November’s school board election. But the board decided to accept applications from anyone interested in the position.

Applicants will be interviewed by a committee of teachers, non-teaching employees and administrators, and a committee of parents, business owners and students. The committees will make its recommendations to the school board.

The deadline to apply is June 1. Interested residents can contact school Supt. Robert Aguilar’s office at (310) 868-0431, Ext. 2200, or pick up an application at school district headquarters, 12820 Pioneer Blvd., Norwalk.