Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Trustee Will Move to Keep Her Seat : Education: Sophia Waugh could no longer sit on the Antelope Valley Union High School board after July 1.

LANCASTER —  The choice was to quit or get a new address. Sophia Waugh chose the latter.

Waugh, a trustee for the Antelope Valley Union High School District, said in a written statement Monday that she would lease a residence in Lancaster to retain her board seat, which she would otherwise have to vacate by July 1 when local high school district boundaries are changed.

Voters in the rural communities of Acton and Agua Dulce decided in November to expand their elementary and junior high school district to include high school grades. The change severs them from the Antelope Valley high school district.

Waugh, who lives in Agua Dulce, would no longer be eligible to serve on the Antelope Valley high school district board after July 1 because of a law requiring trustees to live in their district.

Waugh’s four-year term on the high school board expires in November.

Waugh could not be reached for comment Monday. Her written statement does not indicate whether she will seek reelection.

In the release, Waugh said it is best for the financially troubled high school district if she continues in her seat for the next five months rather than having someone inexperienced be appointed to finish her term.

Immediately after the election creating the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District, Waugh said she would not change her residence to retain her seat on the Antelope Valley board.

Waugh later said she would move temporarily.

Officials of the Los Angeles County office of education said the district could either appoint a replacement or leave the seat vacant. The district would not be required to hold a special election to fill a seat that would only be vacant five months, county officials said.