New temporary school board seated

The Sweetwater Union High School’s May 28 school board meeting featured four new faces and one old one.

Four new trustees from the San Diego County Office of Education who were temporarily appointed to the Sweetwater school board on May 19 were sworn in as board members, marking their commitment to serve the district.

With two of the five original trustees suspended from the board — Jim Cartmill and Bertha Lopez for pleading guilty to receiving gifts above state limits and two other elected trustees, Pearl Quiñones and Arlie Ricasa, no longer serving the district after pleading guilty to corruption charges — the dais had a new look.

Trustees Sharon C. Jones, Mark C. Anderson and Sue Hartley participated in their first meeting as Sweetwater overseers Wednesday night. Trustee Lyn Neylon did not attend because of a previous engagement.

Among the board’s firsts tasks was appointing a new board president. Their choice: board member John McCann, who is running for Chula Vista City Council.

Anderson said his first day on the job showed him what the South Bay community wants.

“I think the people are ready for a change,” Anderson said.