Newport beach, costa mesa : board of education elects new president

The Newport-Mesa school district has shuffled its Board of Education by choosing a new president, vice president and clerk. In the annual ritual, Edward H. Decker, a member of the board for

two years, was elected president Tuesday night by a 7-0 vote of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education. Judith A. Franco was elected vice president and Jim de Boom will

be the clerk. The president’s job is a ceremonial one that lasts for one year. As president, Decker’s main responsibility will be to conduct the board’s regular meetings. In stepping down as

president, Roderick H. MacMillian was given a painting of the Balboa Pavilion by the other board members and district staff as a gift for having served as president during a year when the

district was going through some of its worst times. Last year, the district’s budget chief, Stephen Wagner, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $4 million from the district. The

embezzlement scandal prompted longtime superintendent John W. Nicoll to resign last December, citing health reasons. “It was quite an experience,” MacMillian said. “That gives me all the

pride to get the district moving in the right direction again.” MORE TO READ