SBCSS News and Press Releases

County Board of Education Appoints Abernathy Mancha to Fill Vacancy

2011-01-21

SAN BERNARDINO - The San Bernardino County Board of Education appointed Laura Abernathy Mancha as its newest member at a special meeting on Jan. 21. Mancha previously served as a trustee on the Fontana Unified School District Board of Education for 17 years.

"I am honored to have been selected from such an esteemed field of candidates," said Mancha. "I look forward to the opportunity to be of service to all students and schools in San Bernardino County as a member of the county board."

Board President Mark Sumpter noted Abernathy Mancha's years of experience as an elected official and school district board member prior to the board's unanimous vote. "Laura's been elected to the Fontana Board of Education four times. She offers a wealth of experience and will be able to hit the bricks running," Sumpter said.

Abernathy Mancha is a resident of Fontana and will represent Trustee Area C, which includes the districts of Chino Valley Unified, Cucamonga, Fontana Unified, Mountain View and a portion of Chaffey Joint Union High (within the Cucamonga and Mountain View school district boundaries). The board seat was vacated by former board member S. Michael Tahan, who became a city councilman in Fontana.

The board received applications from 12 candidates. Following interviews of the candidates in open session, the board made the provisional appointment to the vacant position. To be eligible for appointment, applicants were required to be voters residing within Trustee Area C.

The other candidates were: Glenn Alsdorf; Roberto Casas; Robert Deao Sr.; Stephen DeMarco; Irene Hernandez-Blair; John Johnson Jr.; Lisa Keltner; Keith McCarter; John Pruitt Jr.; Jesus Sandoval Sr.; and Linda Sargent.