Zócalo's Connecting California
Insider Issues
Why don't Angelenos trust homegrown talent? Unfortunately, to make it big in LA, you often first have to go make your make elsewhere. But Zócalo Public Square columnist Joe Matthews says there's something to be said for knowing the lay of the land.
By Joe Mathews • • 4m ListenMichelle King is settling into her new gig as head of the LA Unified School District. The job is a big lift for anybody. The LAUSD is the second largest school district in the country, with 650,000 students and a $7 billion budget. The school board united in its decision to choose King, who's been with the district as a teacher, principal and administrator. But there's been a lot of skepticism about the pick in Los Angeles. Zócalo Public Square columnist Joe Mathews says that's not surprising given the region's history of undervaluing its own.