Board members sworn in

Two trustees representing areas 5 and 2 were sworn in at a recent meeting of the Richland School Board.

Melissa Dewitt replaced Area 2 Trustee Steve Mann, who had retired. Tony Aguirre, who has been sitting on the board for years, was up for re-election and ran unopposed, was also sworn in.

DeWitt is a Shafter native, with her roots in the community and the district. She is a Richland graduate and had two sons go through local schools. "I have the desire to serve and represent the students, teachers, and administrators of this community," DeWitt said.

DeWitt believes that the board needs to move forward and partner with the superintendent, administrators, teachers, parents, students and the city government. Dewitt served four years as chairperson for the Special Education Local Area Plan Community Advisory Committee and served 13 years in the Richland School District.

Dewitt led opposition to changes in district leadership earlier this year. But, Dewitt said that she is focused on what can be done to help students.

DeWitt said that she is looking forward to the chance of serving the community and its students. "It has been a joy and awesome experience meeting so many people in our community," she said.

She recently met with Superintendent Dago Garcia, saying "it was a very productive meeting. I let him know that I am looking forward to putting everything in the past and start with a clean slate and move forward to keep our focus on the children."

The Richland School Board now consists of President Deanna Rodriguez-Root in Area 3, Tammy Rubio-Criswell, the clerk representing Area 1, Tony Aguirre in Area 5, Cain Maldonado in Area 4 and Dewitt in Area 2.