Rees named president of

By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com

The Oak Park Unified School Board has appointed Trustee Mary Rees to serve as president of the board.

Following a series of compliments to exiting president Jan Iceland, the board initially chose trustee Jim Kalember for the leading post, but he declined due to time constraints.

Kalember subsequently nominated Rees, who accepted the job.

Rees has board experience, Kalember pointed out. She was appointed to serve on the Ventura County Commission for Human Concerns by Supervisor Linda Parks.

"She is very measured and balanced and is extraordinarily fair, but she is strong enough to bang the gavel if things get out of control," said Kalember, who agreed to be OPUSD vice president.

Rees is a biology professor at Moorpark College and has worked in the biotechnical field for 25 years developing medical diagnostic tests.

She’s been an OPUSD board trustee for two years.

"My number-one goal is to continue the traditions of excellence in the district," Rees said. "But I want to make sure the district responds to new education trends and that it accommodates all the students in the schools."

As president, Rees also aims to serve the entire community. Schools reflect on the community as a whole, and the community benefits from high-performing schools, she said.

She also wants to help the board find creative ways to attract new students in the face of declining enrollment that could result in less money for schools.

As a mother, Rees has been active in the community and has served on various school committees.

Rees was also chosen to represent the district on the municipal advisory council/OPUSD committee. She’ll also act as liaison on several other committees.