How did it happen that a brand new trustee now is the president of the board? How did it happen that a brand new trustee was asked to swear in another trustee? 

The first answer goes back to the divided nature of the previous board. There had been so much argument and wrangling among the board members, it was felt someone new was needed as president to bring peace. That meant either Block or Schwandt, a retired teacher in the San Diego Community College system. Block previously had served for eight years as a trustee of the San Diego County Board of Education, including two years as its president, so he had experience in chairing such meetings.

And why did Block, rather than a veteran truste, administer the ceremonial oath of office? Trustees Jim Mack and Brian Olson (the former board president) reportedly were miffed at Schwandt, who had been sworn in privately by another official the day before. As Schwandt already was a trustee on the day scheduled for the changeover, the incumbent whom he defeated in a bitter campaign -- Ken Moser -- decided against coming to the meeting and therefore made no farewell speech. 

By ceremonially administering the oath to Schwandt, Block saved Moser's former colleagues on the board the embarassment of seeming to acquiesce to Schwandt's slap at Moser. As Schwandt already had taken the oath privately, the ceremony administered by Block essentially was for the purpose of photographs only.

Before Block was sworn in, a hybrid board including Schulze and Schwandt had divided on the question of giving Chancellor Augustine Gallego a $10,000 bonus. Schulze and Olson voted in favor of the measure, while Schwandt and Mack abstained. Three positive votes were necessary for approval, but Senour was absent. Block said he anticipated that Gallego would receive his bonus when a full board next meets. -- Donald H. HarrisoSan Diego (special) -- It was definitely Marty Block's day at the San Diego Community College Board on Thursday, Dec. 7. Consider that within a matter of minutes, Block:--
was sworn in as a trustee by his predecessor, Evonne Schulze.--
himself administered the oath of office to fellow trustee William Schwandt, who like Block had won a seat on the five-member board in the Nov. 7 election.
--was elected president of the board on a 4-0 vote, with Maria Senour absent.

How did it happen that a brand new trustee now is the president of the board? How did it happen that a brand new trustee was asked to swear in another trustee? 

The first answer goes back to the divided nature of the previous board. There had been so much argument and wrangling among the board members, it was felt someone new was needed as president to bring peace. That meant either Block or Schwandt, a retired teacher in the San Diego Community College system. Block previously had served for eight years as a trustee of the San Diego County Board of Education, including two years as its president, so he had experience in chairing such meetings.

And why did Block, rather than a veteran truste, administer the ceremonial oath of office? Trustees Jim Mack and Brian Olson (the former board president) reportedly were miffed at Schwandt, who had been sworn in privately by another official the day before. As Schwandt already was a trustee on the day scheduled for the changeover, the incumbent whom he defeated in a bitter campaign -- Ken Moser -- decided against coming to the meeting and therefore made no farewell speech. 

By ceremonially administering the oath to Schwandt, Block saved Moser's former colleagues on the board the embarassment of seeming to acquiesce to Schwandt's slap at Moser. As Schwandt already had taken the oath privately, the ceremony administered by Block essentially was for the purpose of photographs only.

Before Block was sworn in, a hybrid board including Schulze and Schwandt had divided on the question of giving Chancellor Augustine Gallego a $10,000 bonus. Schulze and Olson voted in favor of the measure, while Schwandt and Mack abstained. Three positive votes were necessary for approval, but Senour was absent. Block said he anticipated that Gallego would receive his bonus when a full board next meets. -- Donald H. Harrison