Monica Garcia re-elected to sixth consecutive term as LAUSD board president
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Posted: 07/02/2012 01:49:33 PM PDT
Updated: 07/02/2012 01:51:20 PM PDT
East LA's Monica Garcia was re-elected Monday to an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as president of the Los Angeles Unified school board, fending off a challenge from a three-member voting bloc which said it was somebody else's turn to lead.
Garcia voted for herself, and also had the support of San Fernando Valley board members Tamar Galatzan, Nury Martinez and Steve Zimmer. Galatzan, who nominated Garcia, was appointed as the board's vice president.
Voting against Garcia were Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, Bennett Kayser and Richard Vladovic. The trio tried unsuccessfully last week to pass a resolution calling for the presidency to be rotated among board members.
LaMotte had nominated Vladovic, who represents the South Bay, saying that Garcia had led for five years and she wanted to take advantage of other members' talents.
But during a speech she said came from the heart, she also said the board had become "dysfunctional," with votes lined up before issues came before the public.
"At times, I've felt left out as a board member," she said. "This has to be a seven board-member process ... This needs to be a board that works for the kids, without knowing the vote before it comes out."
Voting against Garcia were Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, Bennett Kayser and Richard Vladovic. The trio tried unsuccessfully last week to pass a resolution calling for the presidency to be rotated among board members.
LaMotte had nominated Vladovic, who represents the South Bay, saying that Garcia had led for five years and she wanted to take advantage of other members' talents.
But during a speech she said came from the heart, she also said the board had become "dysfunctional," with votes lined up before issues came before the public.
"At times, I've felt left out as a board member," she said. "This has to be a seven board-member process ... This needs to be a board that works for the kids, without knowing the vote before it comes out."
