Trustees Shun Hughes, Elect Birch President

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Trustee Debbie Hughes wants to serve as president of the school board.

But her colleagues appointed Trustee Marcia L. Birch, elected in 1987, to the post for a third time.

The action prompted sharp words.

“I don’t want someone out representing me in the community who may give out information that is not factual and who does not represent the direction of the school district,” outgoing president Dore J. Gilbert said after the meeting.

Hughes disagreed: “I am probably the one who does the most research.”

Although elected twice to serve on the board, Hughes has never held a position as an officer.

Resident Kathy Dittner said she was upset over the decision: “We are 30,000 people in the community that have elected her, and she represents the people, not the board.”