COMPTON : School Board Meeting Canceled Because of Dispute

The state-appointed administrator of Compton’s schools canceled a school board meeting and threatened to call off future sessions as well because of a dispute over the board’s appointment of a new member.

Administrator Jerome Harris abruptly canceled Tuesday’s meeting after appointed board member Saul E. Lankster showed up to take his seat. Harris said he will not schedule board meetings if Lankster insists on joining the board. Instead, Harris said he will conduct public forums to get information from the community.

The standoff began in November when Harris challenged the board’s decision to select Lankster, a former school board member, over 12 other applicants. Lankster, a cable television show host and flower shop owner, was chosen to replace board member Lynn Dymally, who was ousted for poor attendance. Her term was scheduled to end next November.

Harris said board members violated the state’s public meeting laws by approving Lankster’s appointment in a secret ballot. He has also asked the state Department of Education to determine whether Lankster should be disqualified because of his 1985 felony conviction for selling false traffic school diplomas. State officials said they expect to make a decision by the end of the week.

Lankster criticized Harris’ decision to cancel the Tuesday meeting, saying: “I think it is an affront to the community.”