Ocean View board reports unanimous hire of Harborview Elementary principal after closed session

Ocean View School District trustees reported that, following a closed session on Sept. 16, they approved the employment of Jennifer De La Chica as principal of Harborview Elementary School.

Clerk Clayton Tarpon reported the closed-session action under Government Code section 54957, saying the motion to approve the appointment was made by trustee Clayton Tarvin and seconded by Trustee Westmoreland; the clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor (Clayton Tarvin: aye; Gersaj: aye; Singer: aye; Souters: aye; Westmoreland: aye).

After the vote, the board invited the new principal to the podium. The person introduced to the board as "Marcela Chica" addressed trustees and the community: “I am honored to be recognized tonight as the new principal of Harborview Elementary School,” she said, adding that she has worked in the Ocean View School District for 30 years in a variety of roles, most recently as an administrative assistant at Harborview. She said she looked forward to strengthening partnerships with staff, families and school organizations.

The board president and trustees thanked the appointee and invited family members forward for photographs. The clerk congratulated the new principal and noted the board’s appreciation for the appointee’s long service to the district.

Clarifying note: the clerk’s closed-session announcement identifies the hire as "Jennifer De La Chica," while the person who spoke at the podium was introduced in the meeting transcript as "Marcela Chica." The transcript contains both forms; the board’s public materials should be consulted for the authoritative spelling of the appointee’s name.

The board took no further action on the appointment during open session; no additional documents or start date were provided during the meeting.