SIMI VALLEY : Barry Wins Vote as School Board Chief

After a brief bickering match, the Simi Valley Unified School Board on Tuesday night elected Judy Barry as its new board president on a 3-2 vote.

The majority of the board members rejected the nomination of Debbie Sandland, who had previously served as the board’s clerk.

Historically, the clerk takes over the position of president the following year. Sandland has been the lone protester of the district’s restructuring plan, which includes moving to four-year high schools and opening a new magnet school.

Sandland was asked by board member Diane Collins, who had the swing vote, if she would put her criticism aside and support the views of the majority of the board.

“If you would ask me not to voice my personal opinion, it would be a violation of my constitutional rights,” Sandland answered. Collins then cast her vote for Barry.

Carla Kurachi, who voted in favor of Sandland, said the board’s action concerned her.

“I hope the board is not saying that unless the board president is going to be our puppet, we’re not going to elect that person,” Kurachi said.

Barry, along with trustees Norman Walker and Collins, have been vocal supporters of the restructuring plan.

“I think that once a decision has been made by the majority of the board members, it is our responsibility as board members to support that position and to move on,” Barry said.