The Dorsey High School community is proud to support and endorse the candidacy of Sherlett Hendy-Newbill for LAUSD Board District 1.
The students, parents, faculty, and alumni at Dorsey all express sincere pride and optimism regarding her campaign and her vision for Board District 1. Ballots will be cast in the primary election on March 5.
Hendy-Newbill was born in Los Angeles and graduated from Dorsey High School where she was an All-City basketball player. She received a scholarship to Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she majored in Psychology with a focus on Kinesiology.
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In 1998, she returned to Dorsey, her alma mater, and began a stellar 25-year teaching career where she served as a physical education instructor, head varsity basketball coach, instructional coach, athletic director, and dean of students. She recently left Dorsey to assume the position of education policy advisor and special consultant to the legendary Board Member George McKenna, who is retiring when his term ends in December.
He has endorsed Sherlett to succeed him. In his words, “I’m endorsing Sherlett because she is the best choice for our students, our parents and our teachers.” In addition to being an outstanding educator, Sherlett is a devoted mother and wife to her husband and two sons, who both attend school in LAUSD.
Sherlett was known and respected as a dedicated, committed, and reliable colleague who consistently had high expectations and standards for students and athletes during her tenure at Dorsey. “She was firm but fair, and she had a great deal of integrity in her interactions with the total school community, said Peter Dobson, Dorsey alumni, current dean of students, and varsity baseball coach.
Many Dorsey teachers were upset and confused when their union, UTLA, decided to endorse Kahllid Al-Alim, another candidate. Dorsey UTLA members, most of whom were her former colleagues, gathered to meet Sherlett and show their unwavering and overwhelming support for her.
UTLA member, Dorsey alumni, and parent Miisha Davis stated, “UTLA has dubbed this other gentleman as the teacher’s choice, but not one single teacher that I have spoken to from all four corners of the district have stated that they endorse him. Not one! Most of them don’t even know who he is.”
Mashariki Turner, English instructor and student government advisor, stated, “We were not informed about any vote or vetting process for the union endorsement, and it makes no sense at all. Why would the teachers’ union endorse a person who is not even an educator and has no experience on a school campus? At Dorsey, we feel like Sherlett is not just the teacher’s choice but the best choice for all of the communities served by District 1.”
Sherlett has a solid vision and list of action items for District One which include:
- Creating sustainable apprenticeship and job shadowing programs for students to obtain marketable skills in vocations such as Automotive Technology, Construction, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Audio Engineering and other Vocational fields.
- Creating and maintaining safe and supportive school environments where schools are a safe place for students of all ethnic backgrounds, and gender identities.
- Continuing to nurture and develop the Black Student Achievement Plan which provides additional resources and support to improve the academic engagement and attendance of Black students.
- Making education a team effort by using the community school model: wrap-around support for students’ academic, social and emotional needs; and strong curriculum, high quality teaching, inclusive leadership, positive behavior practices, family and community partnerships, and community support services for health and wellness.
- Keep students and schools safe by developing a task force including parents, administrators, community-based intervention personnel and law enforcement, to collaborate on school safety strategies and tailor solutions to fit the needs of the individual school communities.
Sherlett spoke candidly about her ambition and excitement. “My vision and hope is to have a school board that is pro-public school and not driven by any special interests. The charter movement has given birth to a lot of special interest groups that do not necessarily have the best plan for our students. I feel that strong community collaboration with all stakeholder groups, students, parents, teachers, administration, community partners and alumni will provide the best educational experience for the students in LAUSD.
“With the likes of Fidencio Gallardo, Scott Schmerelson, and Dr. Rocio Rivas, we can build a school board that is based on true collaboration. I look forward to having the opportunity to engage with everyone in the school community to create sustainable empowerment and growth for our students, families and communities in Board District School District 1.”
Willard Love, esteemed Dorsey alumni, former administrator, and current school and community liaison stated, “Sherlett would be an outstanding replacement for Dr. McKenna as the board member for Local District 1. His endorsement of her speaks volumes. I absolutely think that Sherlett is the best candidate and the person who is the most committed to the communities served by Local District 1.”
Sherlett is endorsed by L.A. Sentinel, L.A. County Democratic Party, Los Angeles Times, Dr. George McKenna, LAUSD Board Member District 1; Jackie Goldberg, LAUSD Board Member District 3; Scott Schmerlson, LAUSD Board Member District 5; Gloria Gray, Inglewood Councilmember; Imelda Padilla, L.A. Councilmember District 6; Heather Hutt, L.A. Councilmember District 10; Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Senate District 28; Asm. Tina McKinnor, Assembly District 61; Asm. Mike Gipson, Assembly District 65; Jeff Prang, L.A. County Assessor; Diane Rativich, president of Network for Public Education; Parents Supporting Teachers, United Steel Workers LA/OC 675, Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, East Area Progressive Democratic Club, Miracle Mile Democratic Club, New Frontier Democratic Club, Heart of LA Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, and California Rising.
