Board of Trustees Chair Robert Huber will be required to step down from his position if elected mayor of Simi Valley.

The 65-year-old Huber announced his intention to run for mayor in early February. As a former city council member, Huber has said his decision stems from the economic downturn affecting the local economy.

“[Simi Valley] is at a crossroads,” Huber said. “I realized I could no longer sit on the sidelines and quietly advise city and community leaders. It is time to step up.”

Huber originally said he would not campaign for the office unless current mayor Paul Miller decided to retire. Huber was in attendance at the State of the City address where Miller announced he would not return for a fourth term.

According to Samantha Alzibright, Simi Valley election coordinator, Huber has already filed for mayoral candidacy and will not be able to hold two public office positions.

“In accordance to the policies and laws of the city of Simi Valley, Mr. Huber would have to resign from his position as chair of [the Board of Trustees,]” said Alzibright.

According to Patricia Parham, vice chancellor of human resources, if Huber is elected and steps down from his position as chair, the district will still be able to manage board procedures. Also, the district and the board will do whatever it can to make sure that such a transition would not affect students.

“All trustee members are voted for with the students in mind,” said Parham. “Anytime we have a reorganization, we make the students our first priority. We try to keep as far away from negatively impacting our students.”

Huber has served on the Board since 2004 and represents the areas of East Las Posas Valley, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Santa Susana. Huber was a member of the Simi Valley City Council from 1980 to 1984 and chaired the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Chamber of Commerce for his work in community service and was honored recently with the Nordman Public Service Award by the Ventura County Bar Association for outstanding charitable activities throughout Ventura County.

If elected, Huber will end his current term on the board before December, which is when the next reorganization will be. A new chair will be nominated and voted on and a new trustee will be added to the board by community election.

Regardless of potential transitioning trustee members, Huber is confident that the board will maintain its responsibilities.

“It has been my experience on the board as Chair, Vice Chair and as a member of the board, that the trustees and administration work with the best interests of our students in mind,” said Huber. “One of the most important Board responsibilities is to set effective policies that provide the appropriate guidance for district and college employees in serving the best interests of our students and the community.”