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Special Election Set for Newport-Mesa School Board Seat

Discussion at the Newport-Mesa School Board meeting highlighting community concerns.

News Summary

Mail-in ballots have been sent out for a special election on June 10 to fill a vacant trustee seat on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board. The vacancy arose following the election of former trustee Michelle Barto to the Newport Beach City Council. Controversy ensued after Kirstin Walsh’s appointment to the seat, prompting a petition and subsequent election. Candidates include Walsh and Andrea McElroy, the latter facing scrutiny over past legal challenges. The election highlights broader debates over educational governance in the district.

Newport Beach – Mail-in ballots have been dispatched to voters for the upcoming special election scheduled on June 10, aimed at filling a vacant seat on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees. This seat became available when trustee Michelle Barto, who previously held the position, was elected to the Newport Beach City Council in November. The school board’s appointment of Kirstin Walsh to fill the seat was met with controversy, prompting a petition and the unfolding of a special election.

In January, the Newport-Mesa school board appointed Walsh, a PTA president, to the board position with a vote of 4-2. This appointment sparked discontent among some community members and fellow trustees, leading to a petition that successfully gathered 391 signatures. This grassroots effort challenged Walsh’s appointment and ultimately resulted in the necessity of a special election.

The window for potential candidates to file for the election was notably limited, lasting just three days. The election announcement was made on March 11, with the filing period concluding on March 14. Among the candidates, Andrea McElroy, a businesswoman affiliated with the Republican Party, is contesting against Walsh for the board seat.

Recent public interest in the election took a dramatic turn when a retired judge exposed McElroy’s past legal challenges. Reports indicated a history of multiple lawsuits connected to unpaid financial obligations, including bills and rent. Following this development, Will O’Neill, the head of the Orange County Republican Party, advised media to refrain from delving into McElroy’s legal history. McElroy, however, characterized the scrutiny surrounding her past as unfounded and a product of misinformation propagated by political adversaries.

The cost of the special election is projected to range between $444,695 and $493,802, which will be covered using public funds. This financial aspect is part of broader discussions concerning educational governance and ideological values within California schools. The election comes alongside growing debates over cultural issues, particularly surrounding LGBTQ policy and the teaching of ethnic studies in local educational institutions.

Both candidates have articulated a commitment to advancing career education opportunities within the Newport-Mesa school district. Walsh has pledged to focus on enhancing safety and modernizing school facilities, whereas McElroy has emphasized the need for a return to fundamental educational values, expressing opposition to what she perceives as political indoctrination in the classroom.

The victor of the upcoming special election will assume responsibility for the remainder of Barto’s term, which is set to continue until December 2026. This election not only holds significance for the candidates involved but also reflects ongoing tensions around educational policy and administrative accountability in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.