By Lookout Staff
December 20, 2017 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board elected a new president and vice president at its meeting last Thursday.
Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein will serve as president of the seven-member board and Jon Kean will serve as vice president. The new officers assumed their duties following the election.
Tahvildaran-Jesswein will replace Laurie Lieberman, who served as the School Board's president for the past three years.
“I am honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to represent the Board as we all continue the good work of our district,” Tahvildaran-Jesswein said.
“And, I’m particularly excited to support our superintendent as he and our academic team make substantive progress toward realizing our district mission, vision and goals.”
Board members praised Lieberman for her leadership and ability to build consensus, District officials said.
Her colleagues said she led the board with "grace, kindness and integrity," officials said.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve in this role for three years," Lieberman said. “We are making progress.”
Tahvildaran-Jesswein also received "positive comments for his dedication to the district over his one-year term as vice president," officials said.
Lieberman called her successor "a terrific partner and listener" and said she enjoyed working with him as the board's leaders, officials said.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said Lieberman and Tahvildaran-Jesswein both helped him transition into the post he assumed in January.
“I appreciate the hard work and dedication both Laurie and Richard have displayed this year, along with their interest in supporting all students,” Drati said.
“They have been invaluable to me as I have settled into this position.”
