Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa Endorses Richard Vladovic

By Richard A. Vladovic

Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa Endorses Richard Vladovic for the LAUSD Board of Education in District 7.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Endorses Richard Vladovic for School Board Mayor Calls Candidate for LA Unified's 7th District a Reformer With Experience

SAN PEDRO, CALIF. + Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his support today for 7th District school board candidate Dr. Richard Vladovic. Standing on the steps of San Pedro High School, and surrounded by community leaders from San Pedro, the Harbor Area, and the southeast cities, Villaraigosa called Vladovic a reformer with the experience to turn around LA Unified.

"As a teacher, principal, and superintendent, Dr. Vladovic has shown that he has what it takes to build successful, high-performing schools," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "He knows that we need high expectations for all students. He knows that we need to cut the bureaucracy and give more authority and funding at the school site. Most importantly, he understands that we can't wait another generation to make fundamental change. I believe that Richard Vladovic will be a leader for reform on the school board, and I am proud to endorse his candidacy."

Villaraigosa's endorsement of Vladovic comes on the heels of endorsements by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, LAUSD School Board Member Monica Garcia, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's Committee on Political Education (COPE).

LAUSD's 7th District includes the communities of San Pedro, Wilmington, Lomita, Carson, Gardena, Watts, and parts of South Los Angeles. The seat is being vacated by current Board Member Mike Lansing.

"I am honored to have the endorsement of Mayor Villaraigosa," said Vladovic. "In the last year, we have seen how urgently Los Angeles Unified needs new leadership. I am running for school board because I have dedicated my career to improving education in the LAUSD. Working together, I know that we can improve student achievement and lower the dropout rates because I have seen it happen in my schools. Now it's time to ensure that every child in the LAUSD has an opportunity to succeed."

Dr. Richard Vladovic has deep ties to the San Pedro community. A lifelong resident of the Harbor Area, Vladovic graduated from San Pedro High School and started a family in San Pedro. His career includes over 35 years of distinguished experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.

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From 2003-2005, Dr. Vladovic was superintendent of the 10,000-student West Covina Unified School District. During his tenure, student achievement increased at every school, and in 2004 the District posted the highest increase in API in Los Angeles County. From 2000-2003, Dr. Vladovic was Superintendent for Local District K in LA Unified where he worked to reduce overcrowding and improved student performance.

He has served as principal of Locke High School, James Fenimore Cooper Senior High School, and Samuel Gompers Junior High School. Dr. Vladovic has an Ed.D. from Pepperdine University, an M.S. in management and administration from Cal State Long Beach, and a B.A. in history and political science from Los Angeles Harbor College.

For more information, visit: http://www.vladovic4kids.com

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