New Trustee to Be Selected Tonight

After interviewing nine candidates for the position being vacated by trustee Barbara A. Vogel, the school board Tuesday agreed to delay its selection until tonight’s meeting.

Candidates hoping to fill the seat held by Vogel, who is resigning May 31 to move to Atlanta, were asked 10 questions by Fountain Valley School District trustees.

Questions ranged from the simple--”What would be your goals and objectives if you served on this board?”--to difficult--”If the board were faced with the unfortunate need to reduce costs, what program do you believe could be reduced or eliminated?”

Officials said they were impressed with the candidates’ answers and their ability to undergo an interview in a public meeting.

“It was a very nice group,” said Susan Grantham, executive assistant to the superintendent. “The candidates were nervous, as we would expect, but they answered everything very, very well.”

The candidates are Maureen Ahrens, Bruce Crawford, Judith Edwards, Mark Goldhamer, Susan Henry, Marilyn Jones, Tony McCombs, Ben Miles and Lynn Saracino.

Each is still under consideration and expected to attend tonight, Grantham said.

Vogel was allowed to participate in the interviews. But under school district regulations, she cannot vote for her successor.

The last time a trustee was appointed, rather than elected, was in 1992, when former board member Catherine Hacker was chosen.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7:30 at district headquarters, 17210 Oak St.

Information: (714) 843-3255.