Trustees of the Anaheim Union High School District unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Paulo McCallis to the provisional vacancy in Trustee Area 3 during the Nov. 18 board meeting.

The vacancy opened when Trustee Catherine Smith resigned effective Sept. 29, 2025. The board held a public hearing that allowed community members to comment on three candidates who met residency and submission requirements. Dozens of speakers — including former board colleagues, teachers and students — urged the board to select McCallis, citing his eight years on an elementary school board, classroom teaching experience and long-standing community ties.

"He showed up regularly to district events supporting our kids," Jackie Philbeck said in public comment, describing McCallis as "committed, engaged, prepared, and passionate about our students and their families." Student speaker Nicholas Avalos Lopez, a fifth grader, described McCallis as a teacher who helped students feel seen and asked the board to appoint him.

During discussion, trustees highlighted McCallis' knowledge of district priorities, including ethnic studies and the district's five 'drivers.' Trustee Hoshi praised McCallis for answering that "we need to act with civility when there are opposing views," and said that quality of leadership is precisely what the board needs.

A motion to appoint McCallis passed on a roll-call vote recorded as 5-0. After the vote, McCallis took the oath of office and said, "I will fight every single day for this community that I love," and thanked former Trustee Catherine Smith for her decades of service.

What happens next: As a provisional appointee, McCallis will serve until the next election or until the board fills the seat by prescribed election procedures. The board will continue to carry out district business, with McCallis assuming voting duties immediately.

Speakers quoted in this article appear in the meeting transcript and were recorded during the public hearing and ensuing board discussion.