SMMUSD Board Of Education Appoints Keith Coleman As New Member

Santa Monica CA

18 February, 2021

4:53 PM

Description

Press release from Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District: Feb. 18, 2021 The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved the provisional appointment of Keith Coleman to fill a vacancy on the board, at the January 14, 2021, board meeting. Coleman is the current co-chair of the district's intercultural equity and excellence district advisory committee and parent in SMMUSD. He brings expertise in strategy, public affairs, government relations, economic development and other areas of expertise to the school board. Coleman holds a Master's Degree in applied positive psychology from University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor's Degree in economics from Stanford University, where he is a distinguished visiting scholar with the graduate school of education. He is a graduate of the USC SPIRE (Summer Program in Real Estate) program. He is a senior advisor for Capitol Partners and served as a executive vice president of public policy, chief strategy officer emeritus, for the Tesla Foundation. "Keith has a powerful personal story that speaks to the need for more awareness of all students whose voices have not traditionally been heard or represented, whether that be in special education or through the lens of social justice," Jon Kean, Board President said. "He will be a tremendous asset to the SMMUSD community and board of education." "I am humbled to serve on the SMMUSD Board of Education," Coleman said. "It is dear to me, as my mom was a special educator for many years in Los Angeles: this is for her. It is exciting to begin working with board members, the superintendent, and the entire SMMUSD family in an excellence through equity vision that drives transformative learning experiences for students & reimagines equity gap considerations. Joining the district's team culture of responsibility, commitment, respect, and communication is welcoming. I'm ready to support leadership innovation efforts in mental health and student well-being." Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati thanked the 22 candidates and applauded their interest in serving the district as a school board member. He encouraged them to continue supporting our schools and district on PTA, site council, district committees and other future opportunities. Coleman will serve on the Board of Education until the next regularly scheduled election of school board members in November 2022. Coleman can, if he chooses and continues to meet eligibility requirements, run as a candidate in the November 2022 election. The school board made this provisional appointment following a structured process prescribed by Education and Government Codes. Applicants were asked to submit a completed application to the superintendent's office by December 17, 2020. During winter break, a subcommittee of the board reviewed the applications to determine eligibility, as listed in Education Code 35107. The superintendent's office then invited eligible applicants to participate in an interview process at a public meeting of the Board of Education on January 14, 2021. The interviews, deliberations, and provisional appointment were made at that board meeting. For more information on the process and timing for filling a vacancy on the Board of Education, visit: https://www.smmusd.org/Page/6279. Following this provisional appointment, the voters have 30 days to file a petition calling for a special election with the Los Angeles County Superintendent (Ed Code 5091). If the 30 days expire and no special election is called, then Coleman's provisional appointment becomes an effective appointment. The board vacancy was created when board member Oscar de la Torre was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in the November 2020 election. The school board is now comprised of Jon Kean, president, Laurie Lieberman, vice president, Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Maria Leon-Vasquez, Craig Foster, newly elected Jennifer Smith, and Coleman. This press release was produced by Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.