School Board Plans to Pick New Leader

The Conejo Valley school board plans to choose its new leader tonight, and a trustee who customarily would be selected does not believe she has the necessary votes.

“I’d be flabbergasted if I was chosen,” said Elaine McKearn, the only board member who has not yet served as president. “But tradition doesn’t mean anything. . . . Certainly, I’d be honored to do it.”

According to Conejo Valley Unified School District officials, there is no set policy for succession to the presidency, but generally the post is rotated annually, with the newest member--in this case, McKearn--taking over as president.

But Vice President Dorothy Beaubien said that the board is not bound by tradition and whether a trustee has served before does not mean automatic appointment to the presidency.

The mostly ceremonial post involves pounding the gavel, helping to set the agenda, overseeing board meetings and representing the district at community functions.

Current President Mildred Lynch declined to comment on the election. Trustees Dolores Didio and Richard Newman could not be reached for comment.

Last year, a bitter election campaign provoked a battle during the selection of the board president.

Lynch did not support the reelection of Beaubien and Didio, who are less conservative politically. In turn, the two trustees did not vote for Lynch as president, although they say their decision had nothing to do with Lynch’s endorsement of another candidate.

The board also will decide tonight whether to keep the time of its open meeting at 6:30 p.m. or set the starting time as late as 7:30 p.m.

Those who want the earlier start argue that people have long days and would like to go home. McKearn advocates the later time slot so that families could enjoy dinner together before coming to a meeting.