Jerry Matson was chosen last week by the Fort Bragg Unified School District Board from a list of four applicants to fill an open seat.
Matson, 56, owner of Matson Construction and Matson Building Materials, spent nine years as a member of the Fort Bragg Planning Commission. He has also been a Fort Bragg Rotarian for 20 years and on the board for about eight years. He got the idea to join when he heard about the open seat at back to school night. He has an 8-year-old daughter and grandchildren now in the school system.
“I”ve seen what a great job our schools have done with our 8-year-old so far and I want to participate,” he said.
Matson left the planning commission six years ago. When saw his daughter take her first steps and realized family should be his top priority for a while. That was his last meeting as a planner.
After getting the idea to apply for the school board seat, he investigated the district and found prudent and conservative management.
“I was impressed by the financial mentality of the district,” he said.
“While other districts are having to lay off people, when a great hire comes along for our district, we can still hire that person,” Matson said.
Does he have specific goals or changes he wants to make to the school system?
“I have no agenda. I”m hoping to help keep it running as well as it has been,” he said.
The board did some jockeying after current Board President Robert Hotchkiss decided not to run for reelection. Board member Michelle Norvell”s term was to expire in 2013 but she left her seat and applied for the seat held by Hotchkiss, which faced election this month along with the seat held by Ryan Perkins. Because only Perkins and Norvell applied for the two seats, they will be reappointed for four years by the Mendocino Office of Education, facing possible election again in 2015.
The other two seats, held by Jennifer Owen and Wendy Boise, expire in 2013, along with the seat Matson was appointed to fill, according to Mendocino County Elections.
Matson will serve beginning Dec. 8, but the appointment could still be voided and an election held, although district history shows that to be unlikely.
“If a petition with the signatures of 1.5 percent of the voters is received by the county superintendent within 30 days, the appointment is voided and a special election is called. After the 30 days, Mr. Matson is no longer provisional and serves as any other member,” said Superintendent Don Armstrong.
