The Brea Olinda Unified School District board is set to decide Thursday, March 5, whether to declare that Trustee Chris Becerra has vacated his seat.
Becerra, 42, who was elected in 2022 to represent the district’s Trustee Area 4, has not attended any board meetings since Nov. 6.
He was arrested Dec. 18 by the Brea Police Department on suspicion of possessing child pornography, annoying or molesting a child, falsifying evidence, and bribing, influencing, intimidating or threatening a witness. The police investigation followed allegations that he sent inappropriate sexual messages to a child, with additional victims later identified, according to detectives with the Brea Police Department.
A prosecutor is still reviewing the case to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to file charges and no formal charges have been filed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, a spokesperson said this week.
Becerra could not be reached for comment.
Under state law, a school board seat may be declared vacant if a member fails to perform their duties for three consecutive months. Becerra, who school district officials have said was previously warned about the consequences of missing meetings, has missed four consecutive meetings over the past three months.
District officials said they have been unable to reach Becerra or his attorney despite multiple attempts, adding that he has not responded to emails or other communications from the superintendent. He also did not respond to requests for his resignation or inquiries about whether he intended to continue serving as a trustee.
If the school board members declare the seat vacant, they would need to begin the process of appointing a replacement within 60 days.