Board bids fond goodbye to Hathaway

El Hathaway was praised for his years on the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education at his last meeting Nov. 18.

Hathaway, who served eight years on the board, and was president this year, was praised for “dedicated service” to the district by Supt. Robert Fraisse.

Board members enthused over Hathaway’s leadership on difficult issues, such as the high school baseball field, and praised his financial acumen in helping to keep the district in excellent fiscal shape.

“He served from 2000 to the present, a time of improvements in finance, construction and labor relations,” board member Jan Vickers said.

“I’ve had six mostly happy years on the board thanks to you,” member Betsy Jenkins said. “You have been a mentor, friend and wonderful colleague.”

Board members gave Hathaway a collection of sport shirts and a collection of miniature cars to reflect his own car collection “” including a Woody wagon, a Mustang, a 1965 Corvette and a 1965 Jaguar.

“The Jaguar is classic, sleek and timeless like Ed,” member Theresa O’Hare said.

Top of the World Elementary School Principal Ron LaMotte praised Hathaway for pursuing improvements in the school’s facilities.

“I think of the word ‘vision,’ because he had a vision for the facilities that would match our world-class education,” LaMotte said.

One of those improvements was installing air conditioning in classrooms six years ago, an innovation that greatly assisted learning, LaMotte said.

“The temperature in those classrooms could be 102 degrees. Kids learn better in a comfortable environment.”

Thurston Middle School Principal Joanne Culverhouse said Hathaway “had a way of making things easier” on difficult issues. “He helped me be successful.”

El Morro Elementary Principal Chris Duddy said Hathaway “could make everything work for everybody. He has a special gift.”

Bob Whalen, a longtime SchoolPower member, said Hathaway has a “Ronald Reagan ability to communicate anything to anyone. You were at your finest on the baseball subcommittee.” Whalen gave Hathaway a baseball as a token of his work on the field issue.

“It’s been a great run,” Hathaway said. “The highlight of being on the board is when the elementary kids come in, and sitting on the stage at graduation and looking at the faces of kids.”

Hathaway noted that in 10 years, the district budget had grown from $10 million to $40 million.

Then, donning a Mickey Mouse magician’s hat, Hathaway turned tables on the board, principals and district officials, gifting them with Disney characters and Disney mementos specially chosen for each one.

Hathaway’s seat on the board will be filled by Bill Landsiedel, who ran unopposed. Hathaway chose not to run for reelection in November.

After Hathaway resumed the meeting in his role as president, the board:

?Appointed Jenkins and O’Hare as representatives and recommended Landsiedel as an alternate to the Regional Occupational Program Joint Powers Agreement.

?Approved a $441,700 budget augmentation for one-time expenditures on various maintenance projects at the schools, which the board had been reluctant to approve at the last meeting due to financial concerns.

During public comment, Andrew Montgomery alleged his wife, Donna, had been wrongfully terminated from a position in the business services department after three months.

The board took no action and made no comment on the allegations.

CINDY FRAZIER is city editor of the Coastline Pilot. She can be contacted at (949) 494-2087 or [email protected].