New Los Angeles Board of Education President Monica Garcia Rises After Ref Rodriguez

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LYLLI DOUNG, BRITTANIE NHAN STAFF WRITTERS

In 2015, Ref Rodriguez, 46, was elected as president of the Los Angeles Board of Education. After being faced with criminal charges, Monica Garcia will take the position as president, she was one of the longest serving members of the Los Angeles Board of Education.
Investigators had been looking into Rodriguez for two years ago. According to CNN, he has been charged with funding more than $24,000 of his own personal money toward his campaign. After a full investigation, Rodriguez was charged with a total of three felonies and 25 misdemeanors. The alleged charges against him are for campaign fundraising violations. Daniel Nixon, his attorney, told CNN that there is no confirmation from Rodriguez about whether these allegations are true and that he is cooperating fully with the investigation.
“Ref Rodriguez, the former President of the Los Angeles Board of Education, has good intentions,” senior Mark Li said. “I respect his decision to distance his personal affairs away from his profession.”
In order to avoid drama, Rodriguez informed the public through social media, not in person. If counted the felony charges, he may spend four years and four months in jail.
On Sept. 26, the Board of Education voted on another president. Even though Rodriguez surrendered being president, he did not leave the school board. His vote toward the new president was counted.
“I feel that someone without a criminal charge would be seen ass more trustworthy; less likely to do something considered illegal,” junior Lohan Russell said. “So if the old president was charged of a crime, he wouldn’t be seen as trustworthy anymore, so it would probably best that he resigned.”
Upon becoming president of the board, Garcia has pushed to give more resources to schools in the district by serving neighborhoods that are highest in poverty. Garcia’s run so far has especially benefited schools in the district and around downtown Los Angeles.