By Joani Gillam
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District board will start interviews for a replacement board member on April 13 due to former board member Amy Howorth being elected to the Manhattan Beach City Council.
Until the public can vote for a new board member in the November elections, the MBUSD board plans to appoint a temporary member to fill her vacant seat.
“We have really been through something, the board and I,” Howorth said. “It’s amazing to see all that we’ve accomplished, and I will miss being a part of the school board. However, I’m sure whoever the board appoints to replace me will be wonderful.”
The MBUSD board will hold a special meeting to interview the candidates, which will be open to the public on April 13.
“It will be very interesting,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. “The last time this happened was in 1994, and we’ve had to make changes to the application since then.”
According to Matthews, the public interviews will include issues such as the state and district budget crises, competencies of the applicant, and how the applicant will represent the MBUSD board as a whole.
The board has advertised the application for school board member in a press release and in local newspapers but is not releasing the names of the candidates.
“We want to give all of the applicants a fair chance, so we aren’t releasing the names of the candidates until the interviews close,” Matthews said. “At that point, the public can access the necessary information about the candidates.”
The board plans on dividing Howorth’s former responsibilities when the new board member is appointed. As part of the board, Howorth sat on the Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Task Force and the Technology Committee. The board plans to divide these duties up among their members in order to assure a smooth transition.
“Amy did some amazing things as part of the MBUSD board,” MBUSD board President Bill Fournell said. “She was the heart and soul of the board for the four years I have been here. She’s passionate about our schools, the community, and is always willing to look at all sides of the issues. She will be sincerely missed.”
The district held a reception for Howorth at the March 16 board meeting to celebrate her election to City Council and for her achievements on the MBUSD board.
“The cream always does rise to the top—that was Amy,” MBUSD board member Ida Vanderpoorte said. “It was not a pleasant situation; budget cuts and layoffs haven’t been fun, but Amy stepped in with her positive attitude. She always listens. She’s always there for the kids. She’s been our mentor, and her absence on the school board will be a great loss.”
As Howorth leaves her place on the MBUSD school board, she looks forward to working as part of the City Council.
“This is the finest board in the state and the finest community,” Howorth said. “The students’ pride and optimism is contagious. It’s been a true privilege to serve and the most fulfilling thing I’ve done. I will sincerely miss the board. It means so much to me to be acknowledged, and I want to continue to be a part of this wonderful community by serving on City Council.”
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