George J. McKenna III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George J. McKenna III
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McKenna in 2021
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| Member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for the 1st district |
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| In office August 28, 2014 – December 9, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Marguerite LaMotte |
| Succeeded by | Sherlett Hendy Newbill |
| Vice President of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education | |
| In office July 1, 2015 – July 6, 2017 |
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| President | Steve Zimmer |
| Preceded by | Steve Zimmer |
| Succeeded by | Nick Melvoin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1940 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Xavier University of Louisiana (Ed.D, BMath) Loyola Law School (M.A.) |
George J. McKenna III, born on September 6, 1940, is an American educator and former politician. He was a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education for District 1 from 2014 to 2024. Before joining the board, McKenna was the principal of George Washington Preparatory High School. There, he worked to solve problems like gang violence. His efforts at the school were shown in the 1986 movie The George McKenna Story, where actor Denzel Washington played him.
After his time as principal, he became a superintendent in other school districts. In 2014, he won a special election to join the LAUSD Board of Education. He served on the board until he retired in 2024.
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Early Life and Schooling
George J. McKenna III was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 6, 1940. He went to Xavier University of Louisiana and earned a degree in mathematics when he was 20. Later, he earned a higher degree in education from the same university. He also studied at Loyola Law School, where he earned a master's degree in mathematics.
Career in Education and a Movie About Him
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In 1964, McKenna started teaching at David Starr Jordan High School in Watts, Los Angeles. The Watts riots happened a year later, which made him even more interested in helping the school system. In 1979, McKenna became the principal at Washington High School in Westmont, California. This school had problems with low grades, many students missing school, and gang violence.
During his time as principal, he successfully improved the school. Nearly 80 percent of its graduates went on to college. McKenna's work as principal was highly praised across the country. His story was told in the 1986 TV movie The George McKenna Story, where Denzel Washington played him. McKenna even appeared in the movie's final scene, talking about how the school changed because of the community's hard work. The movie was praised for Washington's acting and for showing the positive changes made at the school.
In 1988, McKenna became the superintendent of the Inglewood Unified School District. He was very popular because of the movie. As superintendent, he had disagreements with the school board. In 1993, the Inglewood school board decided not to renew his contract. Some board members felt he was too proud and blamed him for money problems the district faced. He lost a vote of no confidence. In 1994, the Compton Unified School District hired McKenna as a deputy superintendent, a role he held until 2001. In 2000, he was named Superintendent of the 1st Subdistrict for the Los Angeles Unified School District. From 2001 to 2008, he worked as an assistant superintendent for the Pasadena Unified School District.
Serving on the LAUSD Board
On December 5, 2013, Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, a long-time member of the Los Angeles Unified School District board, passed away. Many people wanted McKenna to be chosen for her seat. The board decided to hold a special election to fill the spot. In the first election, McKenna and education advisor Alex Johnson were the top two candidates. McKenna won the final election, even though not many people voted. He was sworn into office by Jesse Jackson. He won re-election the next year without anyone running against him. Important people like U.S. Representative Maxine Waters and civil rights activist Danny Bakewell attended his inauguration.
In November 2014, McKenna and other board members suggested that high schools should offer ethnic studies classes. The board approved this idea. On July 1, 2015, McKenna was chosen as the Vice President of the Board of Education. He was replaced by Nick Melvoin on July 6, 2017, after Melvoin won the election against the board president. In September 2019, McKenna helped start a special pass program for K-12 students in the LAUSD, allowing them to use public transportation. He was re-elected to the Board in 2020, again running unopposed. In February 2024, McKenna announced he would not run for re-election in the 2024 election. He supported his senior aide, Sherlett Hendy Newbill, to take his place, and she was elected.
Personal Life and Awards
McKenna lives in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles. In 1989, he received the Chairman’s Award from the Congressional Black Caucus. In 1997, he was added to the Hall of Fame of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. Loyola Law School honored him with the Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Public Service Award in March 2017.
