Aliso VIejo Board Trustee Resigns CUSD Searches To Fill Vacancy

ALISO VIEJO, CA — Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Gary Pritchard has resigned, and now the school board has made a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy.

Pritchard was serving as board vice president for 2019/20 representing Area 5. He stepped down due to relocating from the region, a spokesperson from Capistrano Unified School District told the Capistrano Dispatch.

Trustee Area 5 includes the schools of Don Juan Avila Elementary School, Wood Canyon Elementary School, Aliso Viejo Middle School, Don Juan Avila Middle School and Aliso Niguel High School.
"The Board of Trustees goal is to provide each student with the education of the highest quality," a district spokesperson explained.

Residents of Area 5, which includes Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, who are registered to vote and have no disqualifying criminal record, are eligible to apply for the position.

Board members will interview all applicants and make a provisional appointment at the Special Board Meeting scheduled for Sept. 9, 2019. If no suitable candidate is found, a special election will be held in March 2020, and would cost approximately $185,000.

"The board members have chosen to make an appointment and spare the district the cost of a special election," they reported.
Completed applications should be returned to Susie Schmidt, Administrative Assistant, Board Operations, at skschmidt@capousd.org, or dropped off at the Superintendent's office located at 33122 Valle Road, in San Juan Capistrano.