Murrieta Valley USD Appoints Trustee To Area 3

MURRIETA, CA — A replacement for retiring Murrieta Valley Unified School District Trustee Ken Dickson has been appointed.

Thursday, the district's Governing Board of Education appointed Ellen Larson to serve as Trustee for Area 3, filling the vacancy created when Dickson announced his resignation effective November 21, 2021.

Larson’s term will expire in November 2022. At that time, she can seek election to fill the remainder of Dickson's term through November 2024.

During Thursday's MVUSD special meeting of the board, six candidates were interviewed. Trustees identified their top two candidates and Trustee Kris Thomasian made a motion to appoint Larson. The motion was seconded by Trustee Oscar Rivas.

"The diversity of backgrounds, talent and skill set of the candidates was impressive. Ellen exudes the experience and understanding of public education in Riverside County and its role in ensuring we partner with parents to collectively focus on student learning," said MVUSD Board President Linda Lunn.

"This appointment is a huge honor, and the time is right for me to pursue a greater role in Murrieta," Larson said following her appointment. "This wonderful district has provided my four children and my three grandchildren an exemplary academic journey filled with opportunities to succeed."

Larson has served as a parent advocate and is currently a family engagement consultant for the Riverside County Office of Education. In this role, she works with districts throughout the county implementing, facilitating, and fostering educational strategies that increase family engagement in their children’s education, according to the district.

Larson is also certified by San Diego State University as a parent liaison.

"After serving schools and parents throughout Riverside County for 32 years, I am excited to continue my service as a Trustee of the MVUSD Board of Education," Larson said. "I am passionate about engaging families in the decision-making process in meaningful ways. I look forward to building upon the foundation that makes MVUSD a premier school district in California.”

Unless a petition calling for a special election pursuant to Education Code 5091 is filed in the Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of Larson's appointment, it shall become an effective appointment, the district explained.