Monica Garcia wins sixth one-year term as L.A. Unified president

Original article in the Los Angeles Times by Howard Blume.

Members of the Los Angeles Board of Education on Monday reelected Monica Garcia to her sixth consecutive one-year term as school board president.

The seven-member body voted 4 to 3, but board members seemed to know in advance what was going to happen. That impression was remarked on openly by board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, who voted against Garcia.

“We should come here not knowing which way it is going,” said LaMotte, the board's longest-serving member.

Voting for Garcia were Tamar Galatzan, Nury Martinez and Steve Zimmer, as well as Garcia herself. Voting against Garcia were LaMotte, Bennett Kayser and Richard Vladovic.

The board president has no greater legal authority than the other trustees, but runs the meetings and frequently represents the district.

In her time as president, Garcia has worked to shorten marathon meetings and to cut down on committee meetings, freeing staff members for other tasks. Critics accuse her of reducing transparency and opportunities for public input.

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