Muir honored for service on EUSD board

After serving on the Encinitas Union School District for six years, Maureen Muir was honored Nov. 18 by fellow trustees and County Supervisor Dave Roberts.

“I have to tell you how proud I am of all that you’ve accomplished,” Roberts said.

Voters recently elected Muir, whose EUSD term ends in 2016, to the San Dieguito Union High School District board. Muir began serving on the EUSD board in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012.

Roberts presented Muir with a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors marking Nov. 18, 2014 as “Maureen ‘Mo’ Muir Day” across the county.

“Thank you very much for your years of service on our board,” said board President Marla Strich, who gave Muir flowers on behalf of the trustees.

Muir, who did not reflect on her time on the board during the agenda item, could not be reached for comment the day after the meeting.

EUSD Superintendent Tim Baird discussed two options for filling the two-year seat: The board could either appoint a replacement or hold a special election.

Upon receiving Muir’s formal resignation, the district has 60 days to settle on an approach.

A special election is estimated to cost the district around $50,000. Given the price tag, Baird said he’d probably recommend appointing a new member when the board chooses an option at a future board meeting.

Should they opt to appoint, the position would be advertised to the public. Later, the board would hold interviews in open session.

Lynn Marr, a frequent speaker at Encinitas council and school board meetings, recommended that the board appoint Jennifer Hamler, the sole challenger who faced three EUSD incumbents in the recent election.

“She didn’t get enough votes to unseat an incumbent, but she did well,” Marr said.

Muir, often in the minority on notable board issues, backed Hamler’s campaign. Marr said because Muir and Hamler share similar views, appointing Hamler would “make the board more balanced.”

Hamler also could not be reached for comment after the meeting.