The Newhall School District governing board selected new officers, including a new president, clerk and clerk pro tem, as part of its annual organizational meeting Tuesday.
Rachelle Haddoak was elected the board’s new president, Suzan Solomon was elected clerk, and Isaiah Talley was elected clerk pro tem. All officers were selected unanimously.
Haddoak took the reins from trustee Ernesto Smith, who served as the board’s president for the second time throughout 2025.
Several members of the board, including Haddoak, congratulated Smith on a job well done this year.
“We’ve got big shoes to fill for the next person,” Haddoak said. “You really just handled the position with so much grace … you really have such a nice way of balancing a listening heart with a decisive mind.”
The elected officers took their new roles on the dais when the board’s regular meeting began following the organizational meeting Tuesday evening. One of Haddoak’s first suggestions as president was a rejection of an available 5% increase to board member stipends.
The increase would add $19 a month to those stipends, Haddoak said.
“Given the state of finances … (in) the state of California … and many, many of our neighboring districts, I don’t feel particularly comfortable accepting a 5% increase this year,” Haddoak said. “I don’t believe that’s going to make or break anything for my rent, personally.”
Haddoak’s fellow board members agreed, and the board took no action. The board has the option of taking up the 5% increase in a future meeting.
