SANTA MONICA/MALIBU—The Santa Monica Malibu Board of Education approved to appoint Ralph Mechur to fill a vacancy on the school board at its January 15 regular meeting.
The vacancy was originally created when board member Ben Allen was elected to the California State Senate in the November 2014 election.
Although Mechur’s position is short-term, the voters of Malibu and Santa Monica have 30 days to file a petition calling for a special election with the Los Angeles County Superintendent.
If 30 days expire without any special election called, then Mechur’s temporary appointment will become an effective appointment up until the next scheduled election, which is November 2016.
Mechur has more than 30 years of service on the City of Santa Monica Boards and Commissions as well as seven years on the School Board to the district. His plans include: building strong relationships with the district, school staff, parents and teachers while helping adapt policies and budgets to better focus on student access and achievement.
“I am excited to have been appointed to the School Board,” said Mechur. “I look forward to working with colleagues and the communities of Santa Monica and Malibu to address critical issues around student achievement, Malibu unification and environmental concerns.”
For more information on the process and timing for filling a vacancy on the Board of Education, visit: http://www.smmusd.org/board/appointment.html.
