Born on July 25, 1951, in Philadelphia, Scott Schmerelson became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language Education from Temple University in 1973, followed by a master’s degree in 1975.
Schmerelson began his teaching career in his hometown, where he taught Spanish before relocating to Los Angeles In 1978 and joined the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
His initial assignment was at Virgil Middle School, where he served for 12 years in various capacities, including teacher, school counselor and assistant principal.
His commitment to education and leadership skills led him to administrative roles at other institutions. Schmerelson spent five years as an assistant principal at Griffith Middle School in East Los Angeles and another five years as the principal of Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth.
Van Nuys High School’s magnet coordinator of our performing arts magnet Ms. Fanny Araña has nothing but great things to say about Schmerelson.
“I’ve been in LAUSD my entire life, from kindergarten through my senior year and now as an educator,” Ms. Araña said. “As long as I’ve known Scott Schmerelson and his work, he has always put students and teachers first. That, to me, is the sign of a true leader.”
Schmerelson shares the values that have driven his career throughout LAUSD and that has fostered responses like these from his colleagues.
“Everyone matters in LAUSD — from the cafeteria workers to the teachers, to the students and all the staff,” Scott Schmerelson said. “Each person has a purpose in our schools, and every role contributes to the success of our students.”
Schmerelson culminated his on-site educational career with a decade-long tenure as the principal of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Middle School in South Los Angeles.
During this period, he was instrumental in significantly improving test scores, revitalizing the school’s physical infrastructure and boosting morale among students, teachers and parents.
In 2015, Schmerelson transitioned from school administration to educational governance by being elected to the LAUSD Board of Education, representing Board District 3, which encompasses the northwest and central regions of the San Fernando Valley.
“I have expressed how much I truly enjoy everything about LAUSD from the diverse student communities to the dedicated educators and the shared commitment to excellence in public education,’’ Schmerelson said.
His passion for the district shines through in everything he does.
His election marked the beginning of his influence on district-wide policies and initiatives. Demonstrating the trust and confidence of his constituents, he was re-elected in subsequent elections, including a notable victory in 2024.
Schmerelson’s tenure on the board has been characterized by his unwavering commitment to setting ambitious educational goals and implementing rigorous accountability standards across the district.
He has been a staunch advocate for securing funding to modernize schools, ensuring they are safe and environmentally friendly. His efforts have been pivotal in establishing far-reaching educational policies that benefit the entire LAUSD community.
In December 2024, his peers recognized his leadership and dedication by electing him as the President of the LAUSD Board of Education.
In this role, Schmerelson has pledged to work collaboratively with fellow board members to guarantee that students learn in supportive environments, staff work productively and the broader community takes pride in being part of Los Angeles Unified.
Beyond his official duties, Schmerelson has been actively involved in various educational organizations.
He has served as the treasurer of the Cuban-American Teachers’ Association and as the executive director of Region 16 of the Association of California School Administrators.
These roles underscore his dedication to fostering a collaborative spirit among educators and administrators to enhance the quality of education.
“The day I became president of the LAUSD board was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Schmerelson said. “It wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a chance to make real, lasting change for every student in Los Angeles. I felt honored, humbled, and more motivated than ever.”
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.
