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Los Angeles Unified elects Scott Smurlson president and names Dr. Rivas vice president
Summary
At its annual organizational meeting, the Los Angeles Unified Board unanimously elected Scott Smurlson president and Dr. Rivas vice president, confirmed committee assignments and selected representatives to county and national school groups; the board also heard public comment on classroom AI and charter oversight.
Superintendent Alberto Kval opened the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education's annual meeting and presided while members selected their leadership for the year, saying the president would serve until the next annual meeting in December 2026.
Using a randomized nomination order read by board attorney Devara Reed, the board nominated and closed nominations for the presidency with a single candidate. The board then conducted a roll-call vote and recorded seven affirmative votes; the board announced the result as a 7-0 vote electing Scott Smurlson as board president.
Shortly afterward, the board followed the same procedure for vice president. Ortiz Franklin nominated Dr. Rivas, and with the list closed, the board took a roll-call vote that recorded seven "yes" votes and elected Dr. Rivas as vice president. Board members acknowledged the vote with applause.
After the elections, members confirmed committee assignments. Ortiz Franklin said she would continue on the Safety and Climate Committee; Miss Gomez confirmed continued membership on Children and Families in Early Education; Miss Grigo said she would remain on Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction; Mr. Melvin said he would continue on Facilities and Procurement; Dr. Rivas confirmed participation on the Charter Schools and Greening Schools and Climate Resilience committees; Miss Newell confirmed participation across several committees. The board also selected representatives to the LA County School Trustees Association, the county committee on district organization and the Council of the Great City Schools, with incumbents volunteering to continue and no objections recorded.
The board recorded the meeting start at 10:18 a.m. and adjourned the annual session at 10:41 a.m.; members planned to reconvene shortly for the regular meeting.
Action items recorded
- Election of board president: Scott Smurlson elected by a 7-0 roll-call vote. - Election of vice president: Dr. Rivas elected by a 7-0 roll-call vote.
The organizational votes establish leadership and committee roles that will guide the board's agenda through December 2026.
