Source: http://delmartimes.net/archives/index.php?section=frontpage#perkins
By Karen Billing
Doug Perkins was named interim trustee to the Del Mar Union School District Board last Wednesday.
Last week the Del Mar Union School District Board appointed Doug Perkins as an interim trustee. The unprecedented appointment had to be made as trustee Linda Crawford resigned on March 12 after 11 years on the board.
After a May 7 interview session with prospective board members, trustees said they were looking to fill their vacant seat with someone who is very familiar with the district and has a strong knowledge of fiduciary responsibilities. Perkins, a Del Mar Heights area resident, appeared to fit the bill, with his 20 years of residence within the district and service on the San Diego County Taxpayer's Association. Perkins said he knows the district well and has a "keen eye" for finances and understands important aspects of state and local funding processes.
"No other candidate has his wealth of experience," trustee Katherine White said of Perkins, who will now serve as an interim trustee for six months until the next election.
Perkins is a local businessman with a masters degree in education. He's been involved in a number of leadership positions in public and non-profit sector, including serving on the executive committees of two State of California Education boards for five years. Additionally he's been a local soccer coach, little league coach and has worked as a mentor at Casa de Amistad, assisting limited English speakers to achieve a higher education.
Seven candidates took part in the public interview process, in front of an audience in the Ocean Air School performing arts center. American flag banners hanging behind the board's table lent a sense of official occasion to the proceedings. Candidates Perkins, Stephen Cochrane, Korey Sarokin, Bob Gans, Mary Slattery Johnson, Kris Kissner and Comischell Rodriguez were asked five questions and given two minutes each to respond.
After all of the candidates were interviewed, the board took an awkward pause, seeming to be struggling with the unprecedented process. Minutes passed where nobody spoke a word.
"This is one of the challenges," said board president Annette Easton. "It's hard for us to have discussions of pros and cons of people when everyone's here."
Cochrane and Kissner were the first candidates to be eliminated. Johnson and Rodriguez moved onto the next rounds of deliberation but never gathered a strong nomination. It really came down to Perkins, Gans and Sarokin.
In his interview, Perkins said he would be an effective board member, intending to do his homework.
"You can't be too successful unless you're willing to do the legwork," he said.
Perkins also said he intends to get out into the community and listen to different perspectives of teachers, administrators and parents.
He said he is most proud of the families within the district and the dedication of the district parents to a good education.
"All of us chose to be here and a big part of that is because of the schools," Perkins said.
His major goals for serving on the board include making the transitional period as smooth as possible, selecting a solid superintendent to replace the recently resigned Tom Bishop and helping create a district headquarters that is reflective of the community and technologically advanced.
The board asked Perkins what issues he would consider in identifying a new district office site, necessitated by a sale of the Shores property to the city of Del Mar.
"I'm a process person," said Perkins. "I need to see a needs assessment done."
He said he would encourage going out and looking what other districts are doing but maintained that a high-tech, state of the art facility is needed. Perkins also said he is a strong believer in co-location, combining the district office with other public resources.
Sarokin's background as an attorney, as well as her being someone who is new to the district and thus able to have fresh eyes for the situation, was appealing to White.
Sarokin made a convincing argument for a board that has strong, informed debates, critical analysis and a transparent process.
"The communication of why decisions happen never makes it to the ears of those who need to hear it," Sarokin said.
Sarokin has only been in the district for nine months but it was the schools that brought her here for her three children's education.
Trustee Steven MacDowell could not support Sarokin as he wanted someone on the board who has been very involved with the district.
Trustee Janet Lamborghini agreed with MacDowell.
"I like the idea of demonstrated commitment," said Lamborghini. "Demonstrated commitment to the district is invaluable."
With that in mind, Lamborghini was the first to take a stab at an official nomination of Gans, an attorney who's been in the district for eight years and is the current president of the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation.
In his interview, Gans said he believes the job of a trustee is to create an environment that allows teachers and administration to thrive and allocate resources where they're most needed.
He also spoke of wanting to be a bridge builder.
"All problems can be helped by effective communication and I have the skills to help with that," Gans said.
McDowell seconded the Gans nomination but White and Easton made no move to support him further.
After an extended silence, White "took a stab" and nominated Perkins. Lamborghini seconded the motion and Easton provided the third, which effectively appointed Perkins as the new interim trustee.
