San Marino Unified School District Announces Second SMUSD Board Vacancy

Dear San Marino Community,

For the second time in two weeks, a San Marino Unified School District Board member resigned from the SMUSD Board of Education. Mrs. Julie Chan Lin surprised everyone attending the Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 with her announcement to resign her position during the Communications from the Board of Education agenda item.

Following her announcement, Mrs. Chan Lin recused herself from voting on any Action Item on the agenda. Mrs. Chan Lin’s resignation became official on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, when she submitted her signed resignation letter to the San Marino Unified School District’s office and the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Debra Duardo. No explanation was provided regarding her resignation after serving on the Board for 6 months. Board members and staff wish Mrs. Chan Lin well as she moves forward.

As previously reported to the community on May 18, the Board of Education had opened a 17-day application period to fill the vacancy created when Mr. Corey Barberie resigned his position in the wake of selling his San Marino home in anticipation of a family move to another state. The application period for Mr. Barberie’s vacated seat remains open until Friday, June 4, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

After again consulting with Dr. Allison Deegan, Business Advisory Services Coordinator with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Board President Shelley Ryan and Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson have determined that SMUSD will open a second parallel process for appointing a provisional Board member to serve the term vacated by Mrs. Chan Lin. An appointed candidate serving this vacated term may only serve “… until the next regularly scheduled election (November 1, 2022) for district governing board members, whereupon an election shall be held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term” EC 5091(2)(E).

Here are some facts to be aware of:

• The provisional appointee for the position previously held by Mr. Barberie will be for the remainder of his term, ending in December of 2022. This position will then be subject to a normal election cycle (November 1, 2022) with a 4-year term through December 2026.
• The remaining three BOE members will screen applicants for the Barberie position on June 7, and will interview eligible candidates in a Special Meeting on June 10 at 5:00 p.m. It is the intention of the Board to announce the first provisional candidate on June 10, 2021, and to swear that candidate into office to serve the remaining term vacated by Mr. Barberie.
• The provisional appointee for the Chan Lin position will also terminate in December of 2022 where a November election will be held to fill-out the remainder of the original 4-year term through December 2024 [EC 5091(2)(E)].
• On Thursday, May 27, 2021, notification (http://smusd.info/52721notice) of the second board vacancy and provisional board member appointee process is being provided to media outlets, the San Marino community including the City of San Marino, community organizations and the parents and followers of SMUSD;
• The provisional board member application period for the second (Chan Lin) position will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2021, and will close precisely at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021;
• The application for serving out Mrs. Chan Lin’s term will be made available both electronically and on paper. Information regarding the application process will be posted on the District website at www.smusd.us;
• Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Chon and Mr. Chang, joined by the newly appointed BOE member will screen applicants for the Chan Lin position on Monday, June 21, at 5:00 p.m. and will interview eligible candidates in the Regular Board Meeting on June 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. It is the intention of the Board to announce the second provisional appointee on June 22, 2021, and to swear that candidate into office to serve the remaining term vacated by Mrs. Chan Lin.

If the SMUSD Board of Education is unable to appoint a provisional candidate or if the provisional appointment is challenged in a legally defensible manner, a costly special election will be called for by the County Superintendent of Schools to be held on November 2, 2021. The seat(s) would remain vacant until that time.

San Marino Unified School District (SMUSD), 1665 West Dr., San Marino, (626) 299-7000 or visit smusd.org.