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If history repeats itself, Dr. Michele Kipke is in line to become the next president of the South Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education.
Generally the board selects the board clerk as the next person to hold the highest position and that would fall on Kipke, the current board clerk, to take over the presidency, replacing Suzie Abajian following her one-year term.
The reorganization will take place during the December 10 school board meeting at the district offices, 1020 El Centro Street, starting at 6:30 p.m.
If selected, it will mark Kipke’s third term as president, who has served on the governing board since 2008. She was the board president in 2010-2011 and 2014-2015.
Kipke’s repertoire is extensive as she has served the city in numerous capacities over the years:
- Has served as the district liaison to the City of South Pasadena’s Youth Commission in 2006.
- Served on the Board of Trustees of the South Pasadena Educational Foundation from 2006-2008.
- Since 2004, Kipke has been a court-appointed special advocate and an educational guardian for children under the jurisdiction of the Department of Children and Family Services.
- She is a professor of pediatrics and preventative medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, and vice-chair of research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Along with her current role as board president, Dr. Abajian a district administrator for the Orange County Department of Education.
A longtime resident, Abajian has volunteered on a number of executive boards of local non-profits, including Vecinos de South Pasadena and Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Action (WISPPA).
Proudly, Abajian was named Congressional Woman of the Year for the City of South Pasadena, the high honor coming from Congresswoman Judy Chu.
In other Board of Education News:
Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills Elementary Schools will be recognized for earning the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award.
“They have persevered through a very extensive application process to be awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award,” said South Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Geoff Yantz. “Only 300-plus schools across the country are accepted and to have one in your district is an accomplishment. Two have two in a very small district of three elementary schools selected is unique. We certainly very proud of what the Arroyo Vista and Monterey communities have put forth to receive the award.”
South Pasadena High’s volleyball team, which reached the state finals, will be recognized.
The principals from each of the five schools in the district will present their school plans for the year.
