Michelle King named new superintendent of LAUSD

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Unified School District has named Michelle King its new superintendent, officials announced on Monday.

The board of education voted unanimously to name King the new superintendent of the nation's second largest school district.

District officials said King is the first woman to serve as superintendent in over 80 years and the first African-American woman to serve in the position.

"I hope to inspire students of all races and backgrounds to pursue their dreams by demonstrating what is possible in LA Unified," King said on Monday.

King, 54, was joined by her three daughters and parents for the historic announcement.

"The very best is what every parent wants for their child and what everyone in LA Unified wants for our students. Working together as a team and as a family, we will do great things in this district," she said

King attended LAUSD and has served the district as a teacher and administrator for 31 years.

She attended Century Park and Windsor Hills elementary schools and Palms Junior High before graduating from Palisades High School.

King most recently served as the chief deputy superintendent under recently retired superintendent Ramon Cortines.

She has been serving as the acting superintendent in Cortines' absence.