The persistence of the achievement gap, the continuing expansion of charter schools, the drop in school enrollment, and a looming potential fiscal deficit are the current challenges faced by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Michelle King, a product of the District and long-time employee, is now taking the reins following a tumultuous 15 years of three Superintendents brought in from the outside: Roy Romer, David Brewer, and John Deasy. Over the past fifteen years, Ramón Cortines punctuated them with short stints as interim to help LAUSD transition between permanent superintendents. Ms. King has the unique