By Joani Gillam
Staff Writer
Manhattan Beach Education Foundation board member Karen Komatinsky was elected to fill the vacant seat on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District board at a special meeting on April 13.
The MBUSD board chose Komatinsky to fill the position left by newly-elected Manhattan Beach city council member Amy Howorth until the general election to choose her replacement takes place in November.
“I’m a little overwhelmed, but excited,” Komatinsky said. “I’m so lucky to be a part of this school board. The four other board members are some of the most talented leaders I’ve ever worked with.”
Komatinsky was one of four candidates that took part in the public interviews for the school board member position. The other applicants included MBEF site representative Christine Hurst; former teacher Tim Flake; and Gifted and Talented Education committee member Lisa Bair.
“It was a difficult decision,” MBUSD board member Penny Bordokas said. “I could have been happy with any of the candidates because they all were qualified, but Karen was the one who could get working immediately.”
To decide which candidate would be selected, the MBUSD board questioned the applicants on topics regarding Measure BB, MBEF, Mira Costa’s Athletic Foundation practices and the Manhattan Beach Parent Teacher association. Each candidate was allowed to make a two-minute opening and closing statement, as well as answer questions that the current MBUSD board members asked.
“It’s amazing that all the candidates came up with completely different answers in the limited amount of time,” MBUSD board member Ida Vanderpoorte said. “It proves that we had a tough decision to make. But in the end, we wanted to put the community first when electing someone.”
Komatinsky, a mother of two children who attend Meadows Elementary School, says she hopes to represent a part of Manhattan Beach that hasn’t been represented before. On the MBUSD board, she has said she will be a voice for elementary schools.
“Currently, most board members are Mira Costa parents, and I think that by being a Meadows parent, I can bring a new angle and perspective to the board and make sure that all of our wonderful community is being represented,” Komatinsky said.
Komatinsky also has prior experience as a PTA president for Meadows and as a PTA legislative representative in Sacramento to help with her new position as a school board member.
“I’ve worked with the Manhattan Beach school district for the past six years, and I’ve gained the ability to make tough decisions in tough times,” Komatinsky said. “This and my passion for education are qualities that I hope will make me an effective leader on the school board.”
Komatinsky will take part in her first official board meeting on May 4.
“Karen will be a really great contribution to our school board,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. “She has already been a proven leader, and I believe she will get along with our other board members really well. I anticipate nothing but great things from her in the future.”
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