Paul H. Chatman Takes Helm as CSBA President

A former Marine, Chatman calls for member’s to become a piece of the puzzle in shaping education in California

San Diego, CA – Ocean View School District Board Member Paul H. Chatman today began his one-year term as the president of the California School Boards Association. Surrounded by more than 3,500 school governance leaders from throughout California at the CSBA Annual Education Conference, Chatman announced his unwavering commitment to provide the leadership necessary to “put the pieces together” in shaping education in California.

“As a former Marine, I understand the value of setting a goal and working with others to achieve that goal,” said Paul H. Chatman, CSBA president. “Our schools are facing serious issues, such as declining enrollment and continued budget woes due to unfunded state and federal mandates. We must stop playing politics and work together to put the pieces together of our complicated school system so all of our students can succeed.”

Chatman has served on the board of trustees for the Ocean View School District since 1989, with nine years as president. He has been a member of the Ventura County Association of School Boards since 1989 and was chairman in 1996, and a member of the executive committee since 1994.

Chatman served on the CSBA Delegate Assembly from 1996 to 2001, when he was elected to the Board of Directors. In both 2004 and 2005, Chatman served on CSBA’s Bylaws Committee. He was also a governmental relations chair for four years. As president-elect, he chaired CSBA’s Legislative Committee and as a member of CSBA’s Executive Committee, he served on the board of the Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership and as a delegate to the National School Boards Association.

In 1994, Chatman received the Senate Resolution for Distinguished Community Service; and in 1996 he received the Summit Award for Outstanding Statesman and the Gold Award, Outstanding Public Official.

Chatman is joined on the CSBA Executive Committee with newly elected CSBA President-elect Paula Campbell, CSBA Vice President Frank Pugh, and Dr. Kathy Kinley, immediate past president. The officers are elected by the delegates at the Delegate Assembly meeting just prior to the CSBA Annual Education Conference and serve for one year in each position.