SANTA ANA : School Board Elects to Fill Opening Itself

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education officially accepted the resignation of Trustee Robert L. Richardson this week and is accepting applications for his position.

Richardson, who has served on the seven-member board since 1987, won a seat on the Santa Ana City Council by defeating incumbent Councilman Ron May on Nov. 6. Richardson will begin his four-year term Nov. 26.

Board members, faced with the prospect of holding a special election at a cost of at least $45,000, opted to fill the vacancy by appointment.

Supt. Rudy M. Castruita said if an election were held, it probably wouldn’t take place until the next general election in June, 1991, leaving the board a member short until then.

“Even though an election is a democratic process, we’re concerned about the cost and about conducting business in Orange County’s largest school district with a full crew of board members,” said Audrey Yamagata-Noji, the board’s president.

Applications are available at district headquarters, 1405 French St. in Santa Ana. They must be returned by 4 p.m. on Nov. 26.

The board will hold a special meeting on Nov. 28 to begin screening and reviewing applications for the $750-per-month position. Richardson’s replacement is scheduled to be sworn in Dec. 11 and will serve until the term expires next November.