Desert Sands Bids Farewell To Board President

LA QUINTA, CA- The Desert Sands Unified School District superintendent and board members bid farewell to Board President Amy Ammons Tuesday evening during a special ceremony. Ammons submitted a letter of resignation two months previously. Ammons first served on the board back in 1989, among 21 applicants who were chosen to replace a member who had passed away. Vice President Matt Monica commented, "All the applicants felt that she was a dedicated lady.? Board member Neil Lingle adds, "Amy is the first leader I've ever met. She is persuasive. We developed a friendship that

UPDATE

LA QUINTA, CA- A former teacher turned attorney has been chosen to replace outgoing Amy Ammons as a Board Member of Desert Sands Unified School District. Donald B. Griffith of Bermuda Dunes was chosen to fill the position on a provisional basis, meaning that he will have to run politically for the position in November in order to fill out the remainder of Ammons' term, which expires in 2010. Ammons resigned due to career and personal conflicts. She had served with the DSUSD Board since 1989. will withstand the test of time.? Superintendent Sharon McGehee took to the stands, also speaking the same words of praise, adding, "Amy is a student advocate.? Then, a gift from student Juan Montoya was presented, which was a painting of a lighthouse. Juan received $200 for his efforts and Ammons was presented with something meaningful. Ammons has been working for the Coachella Valley Water District for three years now. She felt the added stress from this position has put limits on her duties as Board President. "It's best to focus on one thing,? she said. "To me, there is no finer calling than to make life Griffith was chosen amongst a pool of seven applicants who were being considered for the position of interim board member. "I feel very happy,? said Griffith. "I feel that I owe something to these kids in the community.? Having grown up in an educational background, Griffith spent his summers helping his mother, a teacher for thirty years, get her class prepared for the upcoming school years. He took teaching courses at Cal State Fullerton after finishing high school. His grandfather was also a teacher, and his two 13 better for children. That has been our motivation.?Assemblyman John Benoit and Chuck Vasquez, a representative from Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia's office presented kind words, proclamations and presents to the outgoing DSUSD board member for her 19 years of service with the district. For a while, Benoit was a member of the board before he ran for the 64th Assembly District in 2002. "The pleasure was mine,? he remarked. As for Ammons, she will continue to attend board meetings and provide a good input as to who will replace her position come July.

New Board Member Selected For Desert Sands

BY LESLIE ANDREWS sisters were teaching as well. Not feeling that teaching was enough to pay the bills, Griffith decided to attend Law School at night, studying to become an attorney. Griffith was a former teacher at Palm Desert Middle School and currently works as an attorney, with his own firm in Palm Desert. He is also president of the Desert Bar Association as well. He will be sworn in as a board member at the next meeting on July 22nd. Matt Monica will assume duties as Board President starting at that point.