The Governing Board of the William S. Hart Union High School District voted 3-1 to appoint a new member to fill Robert Hall’s remaining two years rather than initiate a costly election.

The board now has 60 days to appoint the new board member, whose principal residence must be in Trustee Area 3 which encompasses the Golden Valley and Hart High School attendance areas in Santa Clarita.

Hall submitted his resignation, effective February 1, 2017, to the Los Angeles County Board of Education on January 19, 2017. He is stepping down to take a 15-month assignment with Advanced Bionics/Sonova in Singapore.

“An opportunity of a lifetime to take an international assignment to Asia has taken me away from a special role with a truly special district and team,” Hall said. “The Hart District is truly a gem in the community and I will miss working with everyone.”

“We are sorry to see Rob go but what a great opportunity he has in his new position,” said Governing Board President Joe Messina.”

According to California Education Code 35107, an applicant interested in becoming a Governing Board member must be a registered voter, 18 years of age or older, who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office. All interested parties must first go to hartdistrict.org. Under “Board” on the home page, click “Trustee Area Voting Map” and then click the link to an interactive map that shows exactly where Trustee Area 3 is. Once you determine your permanent residence is within that area, please go to www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/governing-board-vacancy for more information and the application.

“Our decision to go to appointment is one to save the community over a quarter million dollars for an election,” Messina said. “The community as a whole will have the ability to validate our choice in the next election in 2018. The process will be held in an open and transparent manner.”

The deadline to apply is March 15, 2017, at 4 pm. The newly appointed Board member will be sworn in on April 19, with the term set to expire in December 2018.