New trustees sworn in; Elizabeth O'Hara to remain board president, Erica Mulkey Colton elected vice president

Three trustees elected in the November contest were sworn into office at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Hawthorne Board of Education. The clerk announced vote totals for the three open seats: Lisa Spohn (3,962 votes), Alex Clavijo (4,116) and Marco Totaro (4,137). The newly elected trustees came forward and recited the oath of office.

During the swearing-in the trustees repeated the statutory oath, including ‘‘I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States’’ and that they ‘‘possess the qualifications prescribed by law’’ for board membership.

The board then took nominations and elected officers for the coming year. The president, identified in remarks delivered later in the meeting as Elizabeth O'Hara, thanked the board and community: "I am deeply honored and grateful to have been nominated and approved to once again serve as president of Hawthorne Board of Education," she said, and outlined priorities including "supporting academic excellence, ensuring safe and welcoming schools, maintaining strong fiscal responsibility, and continuing to build trust through transparency, collaboration, and thoughtful decision making." She also thanked outgoing members Michael Doyle and Alex Lehi for their service.

Trustees congratulated Lisa Spohn on joining the board and noted that, for the first time in a trustee’s service, a majority of the board members are female. The meeting proceeded to adopt organizational resolutions after officer elections were completed.

The board took a motion to adjourn later in the meeting and voted by roll call to close the session.