Area Leaders to Aid Schools’ Chief Search

The Board of Education this week appointed a 14-member citizens committee to help guide its nationwide search for a superintendent to replace Ruben Zacarias, who plans to step down Jan. 15.

The committee of parents, teachers, administrators, politicians, community leaders--and one student--will assist in weighing the merits of candidates and help the board avoid the kind of ethnic politics that marked Zacarias’ early departure after two years on the job.

Interim Supt. Ramon Cortines will serve until June.

Each board member was asked to appoint two people to the panel, which is to report back by Jan. 24.

Board President Genethia Hayes selected Karen Bass, executive director of Community Coalition, and Charles Kim, executive director of the Korean American Coalition.

Board member Victoria Castro chose Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and Edward Avila, board member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Board member Caprice Young appointed John Hyland, principal of North Hollywood High School, and Gohar Galyan, a student at Marshall High School in Los Angeles.

Board member Valerie Fields chose William Allen, president of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, and Katie Braude, a parent at the Palisades Complex of charter schools.

Board member David Tokofsky selected Morgan Binswager, co-director of Creative Artists Agency, and Yvonne Chan, principal at the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center.

Board member Julie Korenstein appointed Ed Kaz, a teacher at Reseda High School, and parent Linda Levitan.

Board member Mike Lansing selected Mark Billson, a teacher at Broad Avenue Elementary School in Wilmington, and Raunda Frank, a Carson council member.