Franco named new board president

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT-MESA -- As expected, trustees on Tuesday unanimously elected

Judy Franco to serve as school board president for the fourth time in her

20 years of service.

Board members ignored trustee Wendy Leece’s public plea to be selected

for the position -- one that has eluded her for all seven years she has

been on the Newport-Mesa Unified School Board.

Of 12 community members who spoke on the issue, eight supported Leece.

Others chided her for politicizing the issue.

“You’ve made this decision into a circus,” parent Cyndie Borcoman

said. “You are putting your personal needs ahead of our children’s

educational needs.”

Leece went public with her campaign for the board presidency on

Thursday in a lengthy letter published in the Daily Pilot.

Those who spoke in Leece’s favor praised her for her service.

“I know Wendy to be a responsible, wise and committed person to

children and adults alike,” parent Kim Riley said. “I would entrust my

children to any decisions she would make.”

Board members Martha Fluor and Dana Black vehemently criticized Leece

for what they referred to as a lack of team spirit.

Fluor emphasized the need for a board member to be trustworthy.

“It does not mean abandoning the team or demanding that a member

resign,” she said. “I will not support you because character counts, and

when I look at it yours just does not add up.”

Black said she has felt let down by Leece in the past and that board

members have been frustrated by Leece’s tendency to walk alone on several

issues.

“When you don’t believe in the team, why do you want to lead the

team?” she asked Leece.

Board members also unanimously elected Fluor as vice president and

Serene Stokes as clerk. Franco previously has served as vice president.

In 1997, Leece served a half-term as clerk, the only ceremonial position

she has held on the board.

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .