With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
LAUSD's Michelle King taking medical leave, appoints acting superintendent
Listen
• 0:45
LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King visits an eighth grade accelerated math class at Luther Burbank Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 during the first day of instruction.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Superintendent Michelle King appointed a deputy to take temporary control of the Los Angeles Unified School District over the weekend as she recovers from a medical procedure.
King named L.A. Unified associate superintendent Vivian Ekchian as acting superintendent on Saturday. Ekchian has been a teacher, principal and administrator in the district since 1985.
News of King’s absence was first reported by The Los Angeles Times, which cited unnamed sources who said King suffered some sort of accident while on vacation, had undergone surgery and had been in severe leg pain.
That malady has kept King out of the office since Sept. 15, but “she has been involved in district matters during her time away,” L.A. Unified spokeswoman Shannon Haber wrote in a statement to KPCC.
Support for LAist comes from
It's not clear whether there's a timetable for King’s return to work.
According to the Times, King told district staff in an email that her physician “unexpectedly” informed her that she was not cleared to return to work. King said she would be re-evaluated at the end of the month.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
Best of LAist