Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan VandenBos, 213-241-6388 October 17, 2023
L.A. Unified to Name School in Honor of Cindy Montañez, Latina Trailblazer
Gridley Street Elementary will become Gridley-Montañez Dual Language Academy
LOS ANGELES, October 17, 2023 – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today voted unanimously to honor San Fernando City Council Member Cindy Montañez by the renaming of a local elementary school in her honor. With the passage of the resolution, authored by Board Member Kelly Gonez, Gridley Street Elementary will become Gridley-Montañez Dual Language Academy in the 2024-2025 school year.
Ms. Montañez has been a longtime advocate and public servant for her community in the San Fernando Valley. Her commitment to representation and to improving the lives of others has made a profound and lasting impact on San Fernando and across the state. She became the youngest person ever elected to the San Fernando City Council at 25 and the youngest woman elected to the California State Legislature at 28. As part of the California Assembly, she became the first Latina and first Democratic woman to chair the powerful Assembly Committee on Rules.
In her current role as Chief Executive Officer of TreePeople, she has championed environmental justice and secured $150 million in California State Budget for school greening, which is funding numerous projects at LAUSD schools. She further serves her community as a Council Member of the City of San Fernando.
“It is a privilege to recognize Ms. Montañez, and I want to thank the school community for their authentic engagement in this process, for their questions and feedback, and for coming together in creating a name that honors their past and starts a bright new chapter,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “It’s incredibly meaningful to recognize such a trailblazing Latina leader who can serve as a source of inspiration for our students.”
“As a longtime advocate and public servant in the Los Angeles community, it is fitting and right that Gridley Elementary School will be renamed in honor of Cindy Montañez,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “We hope her legacy of community service is instilled in every student, family, employee and community member who walks through the doors of this amazing school.”
The Gridley school community voted overwhelmingly to honor Ms. Montañez, with 74% voting in favor of changing the school name. The school held a total of nine community meetings with different school stakeholders, including students, parents, educators and school staff before selecting Gridley-Montañez Dual Language Academy as their new name.
“Cindy Montañez is a trailblazer who impacted the lives of countless Angelenos through her advocacy and effectiveness across education, the environment and especially consumers’ rights,” said Board President Jackie Goldberg. “I am proud to support this motion, and my heart is warmed to think that future students might look up their school’s namesake and discover in her an excellent role model.”
“I am proud to support this resolution in renaming Gridley Elementary in recognition of Cindy Montañez,” said Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson. “This school, which will be renamed in Ms. Montañez’s honor, shall serve as a testament to her hard work and dedication to the Los Angeles community.”
“Hon. Cindy Montañez (ret.) has served her community in and out of public office for the whole of her career,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “It is a fitting honor to name a school after someone who has had such a positive impact on her community.”
“Honoring women leaders, especially those who have worked to uplift underrepresented communities as Cindy Montañez has done for Latinos, sends a strong message to our students - especially our girls - that they can be powerful leaders,” said Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas. “Ms. Montañez's environmental advocacy is also a foundational issue that we can highlight with this renaming, further advancing environmental justice through campus greening and fleet electrification.”
“We are grateful to Cindy Montañez for her tireless career of service and advocacy to the children and families of this city, and by putting her name on one of our schools in the local community she served, we honor her countless contributions and continue to instill the values she embodied in our students for generations to come,” said Board Member Nick Melvoin.
“Cindy Montañez’s exceptional leadership and tireless advocacy has created a remarkable impact in our community,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “As we honor her contributions, I am excited for the generations to come, who will be inspired by her legacy of positive change and community service. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Cindy Montañez for her legacy to Los Angeles.”