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New Leadership Takes Over NLMUSD Board of Education

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Sean Reagan, Margarita Rios, Ana Valencia, Daryl Adams take oath of office as the newest members of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Board of Education. Kristin Grafft Photo and Article

 

By Kristin Grafft

Newly appointed board president, Margarita Rios, welcomed the newest board member, Sean Reagan, to the team at the December 9 Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District board meeting.

Daryl Adams and Ana Valencia were also victorious in this most recent election, while Reagan replaced longtime incumbent Ed Hengler.

The meeting began with the swearing in of the four board members, followed by short speeches from each of them thanking their supporters and expressing their vision for the time they will have on the board.

The board then elected Rios as their new board president and Jesse Urquidi as the new vice president. Rios accepted the position saying, “my promise and commitment to the communities we serve is to continually strive to provide a quality education for each and every student.”

Rios also laid out her goals for the next year. The list of ten included trust at every level, collaboration with students, parents and staff, and preparing more students for the global economy through Project Lead the Way programs.

Rios also said one of her goals was to, “Support a bond that would bring new life into our district through the modernization of campus and athletic facilities necessary in order to offer all of our students a first rate education and first rate facilities, and 21stcentury readiness in science and arts, entrepreneurism, engineering and technology.”

Later on in the meeting a presentation was made to the board on the results regarding public opinion on a potential new bond for the school district. The bond would be for $375 million, which would go towards classroom repairs, upgrades and new educational facilities.

Board members were especially keen on using this money towards a new football stadium and other physical education facilities. Daryl Adams was concerned that the bond language did not adequately convey that though and worried that voters might feel deceived. Urquidi echoed Adams’ concerns saying that there needs to be something about the stadiums clearly written out in the ballot to truly be transparent with their constituents.

Consultants from the Lew Edwards Group assured the board members that the language was still very preliminary and that they would work hard to make sure all aspects of the bond are clearly conveyed in the official language.

Catherine Lew, one of the consultants, added, “This is just the first step in wrapping our arms around what your voters want.”

The survey indicated that the community would be highly supportive of the measure at a 71% majority. The Lew Edwards Group concluded their presentation saying the bond measure is viable and the board should proceed.

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