By Brittany Hanson/Garden Grove Journal
The Westminster School District swore in and seated two new board members on Thursday, while simultaneously saying goodbye to two former members.
The board also underwent its annual reorganization.
Mary Mangold is now seated as WSD board president.
Andrew Nguyen is the vice president of the board and Amy Walsh is the clerk.
Outgoing board member Sergio Contreras had eight years on the WSD board. He was elected to the Westminster City Council. He recently started a district conversation about creating “Magnet” schools, a project that may become more of a reality in the future.
Jo-Ann Purcell had 12 years on the board.
Purcell takes credit for overseeing the implementation of all-day kindergarten in the district.
Walsh ran on a platform of belief in high academic standards and a “back-to-basics” curriculum which emphasizes phonics, reading, writing, and math and dedication to providing students with a safe and comfortable learning environment,” according to her www.smartvoter.com profile.
Incoming board members Jamison Power and Dave Bridgewaters, elected in November, were sworn in at the meeting.
According to Smartvoter, power ran on a platform promoting a balanced budget while maintaining afterschool programs and all-day kindergarten, increasing parental involvement through targeted outreach programs and increasing transparency in decision-making.
The specific goal or theme of the educational tenure has yet to be decided.
“It’s usually set up for three years out. But the goals for the next three years are not quite defined for them. They (board members) are going to solidify what it is they want to focus on in the next month. They are already working on it,” said Trish Montgomery, WSD public information officer.
The new board members will be inheriting the Bond Measure O, the improvements bond that is overhauling the intermediate schools and updating the whole district to meet modern demands and requirements.
