There are four seats on the Moraga School Board coming up for election this fall - but there are only three candidates: Incumbent Parker Colvin and newcomers Jonathan Nickens and Heather O'Donnell. What's a school board to do? According to Superintendent Bruce Burns, "It is our understanding at this time that those who have filed will automatically take a seat and be sworn in to the Board at the December meeting."
The incoming new board members, O'Donnell and Nickens, have been parents in the district for many years, volunteering in different functions and passionately supporting the quality of education in the schools. O'Donnell said she is looking forward to continuing the excellent tradition of Moraga schools, and Nickens stated that he would like to see the standard of excellence continue far into the future for all Moraga students.
Burns said that the newly constituted four-member board will have a choice of how it wants to fill the missing seat. "They can decide to hold an election, or appoint a new member at their discretion," he explained.
Burns recalled that two years ago Colvin was appointed under somewhat similar circumstances. He was one of three candidates for two open board seats in 2012 but came in third. When one member resigned abruptly not long after the election, the board decided to appoint Colvin to the seat.
"The Board will probably discuss the procedure later this year," added Burns. "If the members decide to appoint a fifth member themselves they will publicize it, and hold interviews of candidates, making a final decision during that public meeting."
Information about Moraga School District board meetings can be found at www.moraga.k12.ca.us/govbd.
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