Board begins provisional-appointment interviews for vacant trustee seat; four candidates interviewed

The board opened the process to fill a trustee vacancy left by a prior resignation and began interviews of four applicants who applied for a provisional appointment.

Superintendent Presta explained the application window and the process: the position was posted, four applications were received, and the board will interview candidates, gather trustee preferences, and, if a majority emerges, make a provisional appointment that will be sworn in and serve until the next election.

Jesse Levin (interviewed remotely) described his background as an education economist with 23 years of research and prior trustee service on the Pacifica School District board. Levin emphasized evidence-based governance and equity; he said he would measure success by narrowing outcome gaps for underserved groups and tracking socioemotional indicators.

Joelle Castorino, a Westmore parent and local mentor, highlighted site-level engagement (service on school site council and bell-schedule work), her mentorship programs, and a plan to be present at schools and events if appointed. She said she would visit schools and events two times per month to stay connected and measure success by continued engagement and observed improvements.

Lasandra Gutter, who retired from juvenile hall and serves on the Commission on the Status of Women, described experience in youth services, de-escalation and working collaboratively to address student needs; she said she would center decisions "back to the kids." Additional applicants also responded to the boards standard questions on equity, community engagement and priorities.

The board will collect members' top choices on written slips and read them aloud; if a candidate receives a majority, the board will move forward to a roll-call vote to appoint a provisional member who, if selected, would be sworn in and begin duties immediately.