School Board Member Reconsiders Departure

Bonita Unified School Board President Robert Olander II said he will honor a mandate from nearly 1,800 voters in San Dimas and La Verne and serve another term on the school board even though he withdrew from the race before election day.

Olander, who quit the race last month, complaining that board members conducted business under a veil of secrecy, won Nov. 4 after his name remained on the ballots. The victory forced Olander to reconsider his departure from the board, which oversees schools in San Dimas and La Verne.

“I never thought this would happened. I am going to follow the will of the voters,” Olander said.

He said the decision was not an easy one given that he had serious differences with some school board members and district officials over the withholding of information from the public. But local leaders convinced him that voters were endorsing his belief in open government and he should return for another four years. Olander said he believes a new, more open school district with decisions made in public view is now possible.