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April 29 - May 05, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 17
Former Inglewood Today Staffer Makes History Dr. Cesar Morales becomes Ventura County Superintendent
Inglewood Unified Gives a Warm Welcome to Students Returning Back On Campus IT News Wire Inglewood Today News
One of the first reporters hired by Inglewood Today and the brother of Inglewood City Councilman Eloy Morales, Dr. Cesar Morales has been chosen as the first Latino or person of color as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “I could not be any more prouder of Cesar on this historical announcement. He was one of the first reporters of Inglewood Today and was instrumental in our growth. He has always been extremely smart and I knew back then he would be doing something outstanding down the road. We are honored that he gave us a shot first,” said Inglewood Today Owner and President Willie Brown. His brother elated and applauded his brother’s accomplishment. “Cesar has always been intelligent and driven,” Councilman Morales said. “It was be easy to look at him and not see the many obstacles he has overcome, but I want the youth in Inglewood to know that he became successful through hard work and never giving up.” It’s Ventura County history. For the first time since the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools post was created more than 150 years ago, the job is held by a Latino, and a person of color. Dr. Cesar Morales is an American success story. His parents immigrated from Mexico to Southern California. His father became a civil rights leader
in Southern California. Morales earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Loyola, and a doctorate from UCLA. He started as a middle and high school teacher, and served as an administrator in two Southern California schools districts. That led him to Oxnard, where he was Superintendent of the Oxnard School District for six years. Morales joined the Ventura County Office of Education in 2019. When longtime Superintendent Stan Mantooth retired, Morales was named acting Superintendent. Following a nationwide search, the Ventura County Board of Education appointed him to the post. Morales admits stepping into the post is the middle of a pandemic has been challenging, but he’s been thrilled about the opportunity to make a difference. The Superintendent’s office has tried to help Ventura County’s 20 school districts deal with moving to remote learning. And, it’s worked with state and Ventura County officials in developing local versions of safety guidelines for school reopening’s. Morales is optimistic that schools will be able to get back to largely normal operations this fall. He says if health conditions continue to improve, he doesn’t see any reason that with precautions we can’t return to in-
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On Monday, April 26, 2021, Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) students received a warm welcome and red carpet treatment from school staff and district leadership on their first day of in-person instruction. IUSD schools reopened their school campuses to the district’s youngest students who selected the hybrid
instructional model. At Hudnall Elementary School, IUSD County Administrator, Dr. Erika Torres, along with school staff, district leadership, IUSD Board Members and city officials, including Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Inglewood Police Department Chief Fronterotta, and Council Member Alex Padilla, came Continued on page 2
Inglewood Today presents: The Community Chest
jewels and gems. Our Community Chest column will spotlight the many components that make Inglewood special. We will shine a light on the treasures of our city –residents, business owners, artists, activists, young scholars and leaders. In the Community Chest, our readers will get an up-close, in-depth look at who and how positive change is being ignited on our streets and throughout our neighborhoods. We will keep you in touch with community foundations, entertainment hot spots, eateries, city leaders, and more. If you’re a restaurant connoisseur, we’ll tell you where you should be grubbing. If you’re a night owl, we’ll show you where the party is. As Inglewood is currently in By Brea Mitchell the midst of a rapid growth spurt, we The city of Inglewood is a community will also be covering city projects and of treasures. It is a culture-haven of Continued on page 4 promise and comradery, filled with
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