Three trustees sworn in; board elects Parue president after split votes

The Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board of Education swore in three newly elected trustees and completed its annual reorganization at a December meeting.

Elanor Briggs, Ivon Munoz and Christine Schmidt each recited the oath of office, pledging to support the constitutions of the United States and the State of California and to "well and faithfully discharge the duties" of their positions. The ceremony opened the board's annual organizational meeting, led by outgoing president Nancy Young.

Nominations for board president proved contested. Board members made two separate motions: the first nomination for Nancy Young failed on a roll-call vote; a subsequent motion to elect Mr Parue carried and the board switched seats with Mr Parue assuming the presidency. The board then considered clerk nominations and elected Mrs Briggs to serve as clerk after roll-call voting.

Board members spoke about experience, collaboration and civility during the officer elections, urging a focus on student-centered governance and working together despite differing views. The meeting followed the board's reorganization bylaw, which limits the board president to two consecutive one-year terms.

The board also elected its representative to the County Committee on School District Organization and appointed Dr Ward Andrews to serve as secretary to the board. Those procedural appointments were approved unanimously.

The organizational changes took place before reports from student representatives and the night's consent and action items. The meeting adjourned later in the evening after additional business and a closed-session announcement.