DUSD to present 'State of the Schools'

DOWNEY - Local residents can hear an update on the current status of the Downey Unified School District at a district-sponsored breakfast Oct. 25 at the Rio Hondo Event Center.The "State of the Schools" event begins at 7 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person (or $250 for a table seating 10) with all proceeds benefiting True Lasting Connections, a Downey-based non-profit that provides support to needy children and their families. "This event will enlighten guests about the major academic changes being implemented in Downey school," district officials said in a statement. "It will also serve as an opportunity to meet the school district's current school board members." For tickets, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call Ashley Greaney at (562) 964-5174 or e-mail a.greaney@aol.com. The breakfast comes two weeks before elections are held for Downey school board. Three incumbents -- Martha Sodetani, Nancy Swenson and Barbara Samperi -- are each facing challengers. In Area 7, the field includes Samperi, Downey Library Commissioner Betty Monroy, retired LA County educator Bertha Valenzuela, and bank teller Leslie Valencia. Area 5 pits Swenson against electrician John Anagnostou, while Sodetani and Victor Malagon, a 50-year-old industrial maintenance electrician, are vying for Area 1.

********** Published: Oct. 17, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 27