One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Former principal, incumbent elected to lead LAUSD board
Scott Schmerelson is the new president of the LAUSD board.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
Third-term Los Angeles Unified Board Member Scott Schmerelson was unanimously elected Tuesday to lead the governing body. He defeated a well-funded challenger in November’s election.
Listen
1:27
LAUSD welcomes new board members, elects next president
The former principal’s campaign was outspent by outside funders, including charter school backers, who dumped more than $5 million into the race to represent the West San Fernando Valley in Board District 3.
“We learned to work together against the power of money,” Schmerelson said.
Two new board members and incumbent Tanya Ortiz Franklin were also sworn in during Tuesday’s annual meeting. District 2 Board Member Rocío Rivas will serve as board vice president.
Board District 1
Sponsored message
Dorsey High alumna and former administrator Sherlett Hendy Newbill was elected to represent parts of West and South L.A.
“I am honored to be able to represent this board district which has done so much for me and my family as they came here — immigrants, wanting nothing but education for their children,” said Newbill, whose parents are from Belize.
Board District 5
Karla Griego will represent a c-shaped district that includes North and Southeast L.A.
The former special education teacher and union activist invited the community to hold her accountable.
Sponsored message
“We all know that change doesn’t happen with individuals, change happens with a movement and you are part of that movement,” Griego said.
Board District 7
Incumbent Tanya Ortiz Franklin retained her seat representing South L.A. to Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Carson, and San Pedro in the March primary.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
