Three Stafford trustees sworn in after running unopposed

Three trustees for the Stafford Municipal School District were sworn in Friday during a ceremony at the Carcelo Administration Building after running unopposed in the district’s recent election.

The event formally recognized Ash Hamarani, Susette Thompson and Patricia Sosa Montelongo. Organizers and community speakers praised the trustees’ volunteer service and said they are driven by a commitment to students across Stafford.

At the ceremony, Patricia Sosa Montelongo, introduced herself as a returning trustee and thanked the community for support. “I want to thank the community of Stafford for giving me this opportunity to serve my second term as your school board trustee,” she said. Montelongo said she is focused on “the safety and the success of our future leaders, our students,” and thanked teachers, staff and administration for their support.

Speakers at the event emphasized that trustees serve without pay and highlighted continuity on the board as the three begin their new terms. Organizers noted that the trustees will continue to work on district priorities such as budget, policy and the bond process.

Ceremonial events and remarks at the swearing-in underscored local support for the board’s work; trustees’ next scheduled public meetings and specific agenda items were not part of the remarks recorded in the event coverage.