Looking Back: 4 trustees, 189 years of service—and counting 

Queen Elizabeth ascended to the British throne in 1952, the same year that Dwight Eisenhower was elected president of the United States—and that Delbert Cederquist was elected to the board of trustees of the University Colony School District in Fresno County.

The queen still reigns, albeit over a diminished empire. Ike is history, but Del is still standing his ground—in fact, he’s unopposed for another term in November.

He’s no longer on the University Colony board, though; it gave way to the Pacific Union School District in 1958, and Del went along, serving on its board until 1991. He’s running now for re-election to the board of the Fresno County Office of Education, where he’s been since 1994. That amounts to more than 50 years of service in local education governance, apparently making him the longest-serving trustee in California today.

Dr. Edward Peterson has only served 47 years—so far—but it’s all been in one place: the Tulare County Office of Education. He retired in 1996, but the board asked him to fill a vacancy in 1999, and the voters have returned him to office ever since.

Then there’s Elaine Garber, on the Hueneme Elementary School District board for 46 years … so far. And Georgie O’Connor down in San Luis Obispo County: She was on the Arroyo Grande Elementary School District from 1961 to 1965, when she helped form a unified Lucia Mar School District. She’s been there ever since—45 years and counting.

As CSBA celebrates its 75th anniversary, we also want to celebrate the longest-serving local board members. If there are any other current or former trustees out there who have served 40 years or more, please let us know—we don’t want to overlook anyone. You can e-mail btaylor@csba.organd we’ll follow up with a phone call. And thank you, all of you in local education, for your service.