Two school board members leave posts

As school board elections approach, two board members secure in their board positions stepped down.

Redwood City Elementary School Board President Chris Bohl and Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School Boardmember Mary "M.J." Crousore both resigned from their positions. Both held seats that do not expire until 2007.

Crousore was in the middle of her first term with the Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School Board.

"It was a really tough decision. But I had a new baby in May and I have a 4-and-a-half-year-old. I don't want to miss my time [with them]. It goes by so fast," Crousore said.

Belmont-Redwood Shores canceled their school board election in August because there were three openings with three candidates running. Without an election, the board will appoint someone to fill Crousore's position. The appointed trustee will finish out Crousore's term.

The new trustee will have to deal with the voters' decision about Measure C. The bond measure is an attempt to relieve overcrowding at Sandpiper Elementary School with $25 million in bonds. It would allow the district to build a new school to prepare for the anticipated need for 400 seats by 2009.

While Crousore's departure opens up a position for an unknown person, Bohl's resignation alleviates the competition for the candidates running for the four-year seats.

Bohl was first elected to the Redwood City Elementary School Board in 1995. His departure leaves an extra four-year opening on the board. Before his resignation, the district had two four-year seats open and one two year seat available. Now there are three four year seats open, with three candidates. Two incumbents, Maria Diaz-Slocum and Patricia Wright, are running for re-election with board newcomer Catherine Fraser rounding out the bunch.

While fundraising has been an issue in this election, concerns for the district should still be focused on the search for a new superintendent. Currently Don Gielow serves as interim superintendent after the departure of former Superintendent Ron Crates in July.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.

info box: Any community member residing within the school district boundaries may apply for the position. An application and a letter of interest must be submitted by Oct. 6 at 4:30 p.m.

Applications can be picked up at the district office, 2960 Hallmark Drive, Belmont. Applicants will be interviewed from Oct. 11 through Oct. 21 in a public meeting style. The final selection will be made by a majority vote of the board members at a regular board meeting on Nov. 3. The appointee can not sit on the board until 30 days after the appointment in which time the public may comment on the board's decision.