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Residents demand answers over past hit-and-run involving trustee; district says matter is outside its jurisdiction
Summary
Multiple residents publicly accused Trustee Ashley Anderson of a 2022 hit-and-run and called for resignation or censure; Superintendent Smith told the board legal counsel found the matter outside the district—s authority and that trustees are elected officials, not employees.
Several members of the public used the non-agendized comment period to press the Newport-Mesa board for accountability regarding a 2022 car crash involving Trustee Ashley Anderson.
Ruth Kobayashi called for formal censure and mandatory Brown Act training for three trustees she said had left the dais during a prior meeting. Francine Howard and others named a specific incident, saying Anderson had pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run. Will O'Neil, a two-time Newport Beach mayor, cited a police report and an email from the victim describing a crash on Dec. 13, 2022; he asked whether alcohol was involved and urged Anderson—s resignation.
The superintendent, Dr. Smith, responded that district legal counsel reviewed the matter and determined it "does not fall within the district's roles, responsibility, or jurisdiction." Smith reminded the audience that trustees are elected officials, not district employees, and said the district follows public-records procedures and would respond to lawful records requests.
Other public speakers asked for a public report and accused district staff of stonewalling public-records requests. Trustees and the superintendent did not propose disciplinary action at the meeting; several trustees later spoke to the meeting—s tone, and Trustee Anderson gave a brief statement denying the demands and saying she had taken responsibility for the incident privately.
