Judge Bars School Administrator From Filling Board Vacancies
A Superior Court judge has temporarily barred the state administrator who is running Compton’s schools from filling vacancies on the district’s board.
The administrator, Randolph Ward, broke a 3-3 tie at the board’s Jan. 6 meeting and appointed Leslie Irving to fill an open seat created by a resignation.
“The question is whether as an appointed administrator Dr. Ward has the right to appoint someone to an elected seat,” said Compton City Atty. Legrand H. Clegg II. “The question is whether he followed the established bylaws.”
School district spokeswoman Vivien Hao said the district wanted “to get the board seat filled so we can get on with the business of educating kids. The people opposed to the appointment are asking the judge to force a special election.”
The Compton school board has been limited to an advisory capacity since the state took control of the troubled district in 1993. The state administrator acts as superintendent and school board member.
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