ABC Unified swears in new trustees and elects Ernie Nishi board president

The ABC Unified School District Board of Education on Dec. 17 completed a reorganization that included oaths of office for newly elected trustees and the election of a new board president.

Trustees took oaths at the start of the meeting. Mrs. Sophia Say, Francisco Noola and Tatiana Yokoyama Bui were sworn in at the dais; Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Han administered the oath to Leticia Mendoza, who also addressed the board and audience. "I will work tirelessly the next few years for you all," Mendoza said after taking the oath.

After the ceremonial swearing and a series of community proclamations recognizing outgoing president Sophia Say, trustees held nominations and roll-call votes for board officers. Ernie Nishi was nominated and elected board president by a roll-call vote. Francisco Noola was elected vice president, Tatiana Yokoyama Bui was elected clerk, and Superintendent Dr. Gina Zillo was approved as secretary to the board.

Nishi, who had been serving as vice president and participated telephonically earlier in the evening, thanked his colleagues after the vote: "I very much thank Sophia for providing the platform for which we can really do better and excellent and really do what ABC does best which is education for our kids." He added that he expects the board to put district unity and students first as it addresses the coming year's challenges.

The meeting included a sustained series of community recognitions: elected officials and local leaders read proclamations and presented certificates honoring Sophia Say’s year as president and her long service to the district.

Next steps: Newly elected officers will assume their committee roles and leadership duties through the board’s calendar year; the board also used the meeting to confirm committee volunteers and district liaisons for 2025.