On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Morongo Unified School District Board of Education hosted a special meeting to interview and select candidates for Trustee Areas 2 and 3. Both areas lacked candidates in the November election.
The Board provisionally appointed Pete Wood as trustee for Area 2 and Bianca Stoker for Area 3. Wood initially came to the Morongo Basin while serving in the Marine Corps. After retiring from the Marines, he worked as an elementary school teacher in MUSD. Over the next 30 years, he held various positions, including District Technology Coordinator, Assistant Principal at Twentynine Palms Junior High School and Principal at Twentynine Palms Elementary School. He also served as a substitute administrator across every school in the District for 11 years before retiring in 2022.
"He has a really unique perspective from spending time at all the sites in MUSD," said Board member John Cole.
Stoker was born and raised in the Morongo Basin and currently has a student in the District. She serves on the school site council at Yucca Mesa Elementary School and the Board for the Morongo Basin Youth Soccer Association, and has an extensive arts background, working with local students at Theatre 29 and the Hi-Desert Cultural Center.
"Bianca is a highly involved and passionate member of our school community," said YMES Principal Sally Stevens. "She brings valuable insights and perspectives to our discussions, always advocating for what is best for students and families."
For more information on the Board, visit Morongo Unified School District Board of Education.