ENCINITAS — As expected, the Encinitas Union School District will appoint a person to fill the vacancy left by the departure of former board member Maureen “Mo” Muir rather than host a special election.
And supporters are hoping it will be Jennifer Hamler.
The school board voted at its Dec. 9 meeting to start a month-long appointment process and immediately began soliciting applicants for the position.
Muir was recently elected to the San Dieguito Union High School District’s board of trustees.
Applications, which are available on the school district website at eusd.net, are due by no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 7. The board will interview candidates and make the appointment at a board meeting during the week of Jan. 12.
The only requirements for potential candidates for the seat are that they are 18, live in the Encinitas Union School District and are a registered voter. The school board, however, will be looking for applicants with experience with schools in some capacity, whether as a volunteer, a teacher or otherwise.
Supporters of Hamler, however, said they think the decision should be easy — Hamler had a strong showing in the Nov. 4 election, when she finished fourth place behind the three incumbents who ran as a ticket. While there were only four candidates, Hamler’s supporters said her vote total — 8,355 votes, or 21.23 percent of the votes cast — represented sizeable section of the electorate.
Hamler said she is applying for the vacancy.
