Los Angeles Unified School District board member Mónica García was re-elected on July 10 to a new, one-year term as president. It marked the eighth time García’s colleagues selected her to lead the board governing the nation’s second-largest school district.

First elected in 2006, García is the longest-serving member of the school board. She thanked her colleagues and affirmed her commitment to serving the students and families.

“This academic year calls on us to put kids first, to see more of them get to graduation and to struggle with the hard choices that are part of this organization,” García said. “I am proud to be someone who believes in people, and it’s the people of L.A. Unified I believe in. This system does the best it can. It’s all of our jobs to make it better.”

García selected board member Nick Melvoin to serve a second consecutive term as vice president.

“I am excited to continue serving in this role and working closely with President García to put kids first and ensure all kids graduate ready for success in college, careers and life,” Melvoin said.

“The seven board members and I share the goal to put our students first,” added LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner. “I look forward to continuing to work with board President García and all board members to deliver on our promise of providing every student with a high-quality education, and to renewing the commitment of everyone in Los Angeles to public education.”