Lynwood Unified elects new board leaders, superintendent named board secretary after reorganization meeting

Lynwood Unified’s Board of Education completed its annual reorganization on Dec. 19, installing new officers and confirming several routine administrative appointments after a superintendent-led year‑in‑review presentation and a brief public comment period.

The board unanimously elected Alfonso Morales as president, Maria Lopez as vice president and Dr. Alma Castro as clerk. The votes on all officer appointments were 5–0. The board also approved a motion naming the superintendent as secretary to the board and ratified administrative items including certification of signatures for 2025–26 and designation of the superintendent as the district’s authorized agent, each by unanimous vote.

Superintendent (name not specified in the record) opened the meeting with a summary of district achievements and priorities from 2025, highlighting four board goals — academic excellence, facilities and safety, community and advocacy, and culture and climate — and outlining a Vision 2030 focus on signature programs, districtwide instructional focus, relationship-building and use of artificial intelligence in instruction. He said graduation rates rose “by 4 percentage points districtwide,” with Lynwood High and Firebaugh High sustaining rates near 92 percent, and noted attendance of 91.48% and a 15% English‑learner reclassification rate.

The superintendent also reviewed capital projects and partnerships: construction progress at Lynwood High’s Imperial campus (deep soil mixing complete and visible vertical construction), a nearly $2 million Linwood Greening Initiative funded by Cal Fire, participation in OpenAI’s national teacher cohort, cybersecurity and campus safety enhancements, and districtwide awards including the 2025 CSBA Golden Bell for family engagement.

During public comment, Deborah Larios urged the board to continue working to “make this school district the better that we can do,” referenced recent community incidents and a parade concern, and called for more support for students. The board did not take action on the public comment aside from acknowledgment.

Outgoing board president Julian De Real Galleros offered remarks reflecting on a challenging year that included leadership transitions and personal attacks tied to a political stance. He said he ran his presidency according to his “core beliefs” and voiced hopes for the incoming leadership.

Election and administrative actions at a glance: Alfonso Morales — president (motion carried 5–0; motion moved by Julian De Real Galleros and seconded by Doctor Hardy); Maria Lopez — vice president (nominated from the board, carried 5–0); Dr. Alma Castro — clerk (counter motion adopted, carried 5–0). The board also approved naming the superintendent as board secretary, appointed Dr. Alma Castro as the district representative to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization, certified signatures for 2025–26, and designated the superintendent as authorized agent for 2025–26; all carried 5–0.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m., and attendees were invited to refreshments in the hallway.

Sources: Lynwood Unified special reorganization meeting transcript, Dec. 19, 2025.