The Claremont Unified School District board unanimously elected Jeff Stark as it new board president during the board’s annual organizational meeting on Thursday night.

Mr. Stark had served as board vice president throughout the 2011 governing board year and now succeeds former board president Beth Bingham, who chose not to run for board member re-election this year. Mary Caenepeel, who served as board clerk in 2011, was unanimously voted in as the board vice president and board member Steven Llanusa was appointed board clerk.

All 3 members of the board were winners in the 2009 board member race and have reached the midway point of their current terms set to expire in 2013.

“I’d like to say that I am truly honored [to be elected board president],” Mr. Stark said.

Board member Hilary LaConte officially began her 2^nd term on Thursday and Claremont resident Sam Mowbray returned to the dais for his 4^th term with the board as they were administered the board member oath of office by Interim Superintendent Gloria Johnston. Mr. Mowbray previously served on the CUSD board from 1993 through 2005.

The board also voted to approve Mr. Stark, Ms. Johnston, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Lisa Shoemaker, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Bonnie Bell, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Kevin Ward, Director of Accounting Karen Waltman and staff accountant Tim Chatkoo as the representatives from CUSD able to sign all warrants, orders for salary payment, notices of employment and contracts for the district for the 2012 governing board year. Ms. Caenepeel was also elected as the board representative to the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association (LACSTA).

See our complete coverage by Landus Rigsby Saturday.