[img]2337|right|Margueritte LaMotte||no_popup[/img]By its own hand, the LAUSD School Board has determined that this is D-Day for deciding how to choose a successor to beloved 80-year-old colleague Marguerite LaMotte, who died on Dec. 5.
The Board meets at 6 o’clock this evening in the Board Room downtown at 333 S. Beaudry St.
They will vote whether to make an outright appointment or order a special election several months away.
This is its most closely watched decision in awhile.
Almost since Ms. LaMotte’s death, a group calling itself “Appoint McKenna Now” has been vociferously campaign for the selection of a popular educator, Dr. George S. McKenna.
The coalition sent the following message:
1) Speak up
“Call LAUSD Board President Richard Vladovic now at 213.241.6385. He's the fourth vote we need for appointment.
2) Sign up
“Sign the Petition now that sends an email to all Board members: www.appointmckennanow.org/petition
3) Show up
“Attend this evening’s LAUSD Board meeting.
“We have just hours to impact a decision that will affect an entire generation of our children.
“Will the Board District 1 seat at the Board table remain vacant for 6 to 8 long months during critical budgetary and policy debates just to allow for a special election dominated by special interests?
[img]2335|right|Doctor McKenna||no_popup[/img]“Or will we have representation with the appointment of Dr. George McKenna? The LAUSD Board will decide. Battle lines are drawn. A small group of elected officials who want to play adult political games with our children’s education have made their political agenda publicly known in calling for a special election.
“On the other side, defending our children and immediate representation for District 1 stands a coalition of educators, school board members and the community, with the support of elected officials who have thoroughly explained their reasoning.
“The elected officials standing up for an appointment of Dr. McKenna so Marguerite LaMotte's district is ably represented over the next 6 critical months includes Congresswomen Karen Bass and Maxine Waters, state Sen. Holly Mitchell, former Assembly member Mike Davis, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, and former Council members Robert Farrell and Jan Perry.
“The Board will make a decision in mere hours. Now it is your turn to be heard. Our children need you to speak up, sign up and show up.
“Appoint McKenna Now. http://www.appointmckennanow.org/”
