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Serena Totoello appointed provisional trustee after board interviews
Summary
After public interviews of four candidates, the Lemon Grove board provisionally appointed Serena Totoello to fill a trustee vacancy until the November election. The board voted in favor after deliberation and administered the oath of office.
The Lemon Grove School District board conducted public interviews Feb. 10 to fill a vacant trustee seat and provisionally appointed Serena Totoello following deliberation and a roll‑call vote.
Four finalists—Crystal Hall, Angelus Nelson, Lashana Rimes and Serena Totoello—gave opening statements, answered trustee questions about the role of public schools and balancing community concerns with law and student needs, and offered closing remarks. Questions asked by trustees covered the basic purpose of public education, how to weigh state and federal law against community values and student needs, and what strengths each candidate would bring.
After the interviews, trustees shared brief appreciations for each candidate's experience and community ties. The board then considered nominations; after an initial motion failed for an alternate candidate, a motion to appoint Serena Totoello was seconded and passed with four "I" votes. The superintendent administered the oath of office and Totoello took her seat as provisional appointee through the November election.
Board members thanked all applicants for their time and contributions. The district noted candidates will remain engaged with the community and encouraged public involvement in future board processes.
Sources: Candidate interviews and roll call during Feb. 10 meeting.
