Boxer resigns from school board

NEW POSITION: Former MBUSD board member Jason Boxer (second from left) participates in his final MBUSD board meeting on Dec. 15 with board clerk Kristen Weinstein (left), board President Cathey Graves, board Vice President Jen Fenton, and board member Tina Shivpuri before his resignation on Jan. 12. Boxer has been on the school board for two years and resigned to pursue studies in higher education. Photo by Sofia Williams/La Vista

By McLean Grimes

Executive News Editor

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) held a board meeting on Jan. 18 to decide how to fill the vacancy created by board member Jason Boxer’s resignation.

The only discussion item on the agenda was the resignation of Box- er. Boxer was elected in November 2020 and ended Boxer’s term early, leaving a vacancy in Boxer’s position. The board voted to make an appointment to fill the spot over a holding a special election.

“The Board will finalize the ap- plication process at the Feb. 1 board meeting,” said District Superinten- dent Dr. John Bowes. “MBUSD chose to pick this process to be fiscally responsible due to the cost of holding a special election.”

Boxer served on the MBUSD school board for two years after the election in 2020. According to Box- er, Boxer resigned to pursue studies in higher education.

“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have served on the MBUSD Board of Education,” said Boxer in a statement. “I will miss my fellow Board colleagues and the important discussions and decisions that have paved the way to support our students and staff.”

Throughout Boxer’s time as an MBUSD board member, Boxer, a Costa alum, advocated for LG- BTQ+ students and education. Ad- ditionally, Boxer aimed to stabilize the district’s budget and expand the Equity, Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion (EDSJI) initiative.

“I think [education] is the most impactful and important way to im- prove the world,” said Boxer in a statement. “I think it’s the way we should measure ourselves as a so- ciety: how well do we educate the most vulnerable among us?”

Following presentations of science projects from Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) stu- dents, the board approved and welcomed the appointments of the new Director of Early Learning Shan- non Houston and the Benefits Risk Manager Carol Gerken.

“We are excited to have Ms. Houston join our MBUSD community,” said Bowes. “Her enthusiasm and passion will be an asset to our preschool and community.”

In addition, Mike Welsh and Fred Taylor made public comments to encourage the board to keep an open mind regarding the board member election. MBMS student representative Emma Rawitz and senior Costa student representative and ASB Vice President Dylan Okomoto updated the board on events at their schools.

“It’s important for student representatives to be at the meetings because it is important to create a bridge between the students and the board,” said Okomoto. “This allows students to voice their concerns while also promoting events for the community as a whole.”

The board approved the addition of four new classes to Costa. These classes are Conceptual Physics, Graphic Design 1, Play Production and Peer Counseling.

“To market our new Conceptual Physics course, we talk to students in our current science classes about their options for the following year,” said Costa science teacher Teresa Nielsen. “We are proud of our diverse elective options within the Science Department.”