Michelle King, First Black Woman To Helm LAUSD, Dies

LOS ANGELES, CA — All flags in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be flown at half-staff until Wednesday in honor of former district Superintendent Michelle King, who died of cancer Saturday at the age of 57, LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner announced Monday.

"Dr. King was a Los Angeles Unified student who found her passion in education and dedicated her life to making sure others received a great education," Beutner said in a statement. "We at Los Angeles Unified, and all in our community, are grateful for her leadership and commitment. And on behalf of the many, many students, teachers, and administrators whose lives she helped make better, thank you."

King became LAUSD superintendent in January 2016. In September of the following year she went on medical leave, then announced in January 2018 that had cancer and would not be returning to her job.

King did not specify the type of cancer for which she was being treated.

"I am very thankful for the outpouring of support I have received from the entire L.A. Unified family, our community partners and my colleagues across the nation," she said in 2018. "As I aggressively fight this illness, I ask that you continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers."

Members of the district's Board of Education issued a joint statement over the weekend thanking King "for 33 years as an exemplary educator, inspirational role model and steadfast leader."

King earned a doctorate in May from the USC Rossier School of Education. She had a bachelor's degree in biology from UCLA and a master's degree in administration from Pepperdine University. She was educated in LAUSD schools, attending Century Park and Windsor Hills elementary schools, Palms Junior High School and Palisades High School.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock