The last meeting of the year for the Culver City Unified School Board on Dec. 10, 2024 was also the last meeting for two of the board trustees; Dr. Kelly Kent, who served for nine years, and Paula Amezola, who served for four. Both of them chose not to run for re-election; as the school board does not have term limits, board members decide when to step down.
The Mike Balkman Council Chambers at City Hall, which had seen the City Council rotation the night before, was the gathering place for friends, students, colleagues, parents of students, and supporters to offer their thoughts for the end of their service.
Proclamations and accolades citing their many accomplishments were presented from the offices of State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, from the Culver City City Council and the Culver City Unified School District for both Kent and Amezola,
Kent was lauded for – among a long list of acheivements – spearheading the success of the Golden Bell Award in 2016 from the California School Board Association, for the “Whole Child, Whole Community” program. She served as Board President twice, and did much to shift the district towards equity and security for students. Her vocal advocacy for social justice drew an unprecedented amount of animosity, but she was unwavering in her commitment to keeping students at the center of policy.
Amezola, whose career has been in public health, was a vital leader during the COVID crisis, keeping an eye on students even when classes were on remote. Her influence was crucial in getting free vaccine clinics open at the school sites, and getting students back into class in 2021 as early as possible. Her bilingual skills offered a unique opportunity for many in the district to feel heard, and fostered a new sense of urgency for the schools to meet the needs of ESL students. She served as Board President once during her term.
The school board members continuing into the next term all offered their appreciations for their departing colleagues.
Brian Gurrero recalled Kent when he was in the role of being a parent, before his term on the board began, “I was grateful for your leadership during COVID…and I wish you all the best in your next chapter.”
Triston Ezidore noted “It’s a full circle moment, for me … I met [Kent and Amezola] when I was a student organizing…and I realized I wanted to be a part of this [board.] You really opened the door for me.”
In a more candid farewell, Board member Stephanie Loredo shared “It is hard to be an elected official in Culver City and be a person of color. Intersecting with being a woman, and then being a woman of color, it’s hard…Making it work for more folks is the legacy that you leave.”
While many speakers came to the podium to offer their gratitude for the public service, and cite the shocking amount of vitriol both Kent and Amezola had to endure during their tenure, a box of tissues made the circuit across the dais, tears falling as the emotions welled up.
The new school board members, Andrew Lachman and Lindsay Carlson, will be sworn in at the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo Caption – Recognition from Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevaswood Cuevas presented by Field Representative Carlos Penilla.
L to R, Penilla, Board President Dr. Kelly Kent, Board member Paula Amezola
