Romer Defends His Choice for Valley Position
Los Angeles Unified Supt. Roy Romer on Tuesday defended his choice of a new administrator for the subdistrict that represents the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Romer announced his selection of Sue Shannon, assistant superintendent of instructional services, last week. But at Tuesday’s school board meeting, some speakers urged the selection instead of a Latino candidate, Maria Reza, assistant superintendent of student health and human services. The subdistrict is about 84% Latino.
“Let’s try to be different this time,” said Mayor Jose Hernandez of the city of San Fernando, which is in the Los Angeles school district.
Romer said ethnicity did not figure in his choice. But he said that Shannon “has been exceptionally focused on the challenge of the English-language learner.”
The board is expected to vote June 24 on Romer’s choice.
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