New Lake L.A. wellness center will bear Magaña’s name

PEARBLOSSOM — Keppel Union School District’s Board of Education reached a consensus on a name for the new wellness center at Lake Los Angeles School but took no formal action because it was for discussion only.

The Board previously discussed naming the center at its Feb. 20 meeting.

“I think we should make it the Manuel Magaña Wellness Center at Lake Los Angeles Elementary School,” trustee Matthew Gaines said.

Gaines added Magaña has dedicated his life to children. Magaña is a former Keppel trustee and longtime community volunteer.

Magaña’s name was one of three suggestions, including Lake Los Angeles Community Center and Shirley Harriman Community Center, submitted during back-to-school night and neighborhood advisory committee meetings.

Trustee Jannie Dutton agreed.

“Mr. Magaña is a Lake Los Angeles resident,” Dutton

said. “To have that representation on that building would be outstanding. He is a community member. He is a statewide-recognized person about his community involvement. And I think it would be an honor to have the Manny Magaña Wellness Center in the Lake Los Angeles area.”

Board Clerk Theresa

McCafferty acknowledged Magaña’s contribution to the community. But he preferred keeping the name simple and reflective of its location.

“I would just like it to say Lake Los Angeles. Also, in terms of people maybe looking it up, it immediately directs you to the city who paid for it, where it is,” McCafferty said in reference to a now-expired Mello-Roos tax Lake Los Angeles School property owners paid.

Board Vice President Georgia Halliman agreed.

“It’s the taxpayers who paid for it,” Halliman said. “Our whole district has had input into this. All of our communities have had input

into this. But since it’s sitting there in Lake L.A., it should be L.A. Community Center.”

Board President Dominque Ballante disagreed and changed some minds in the process.

“Although, I love Mr. Magaña really dearly, I don’t really want to put it with his name because it was polarizing,” Ballante said. “Putting that in the name of a person usually you get divisiveness.”

Ballante suggested the wellness center name include Keppel because it is for the whole district and community.

“To me it is important that we realize that,” Ballante said.

Ballante added she is thankful for what the Los Angeles Community provided. But said the whole Keppel community will seek help and support at the wellness center.

“You’ve changed my mind,” McCafferty said.

Gaines suggested the Keppel Wellness Center of Lake Los Angeles. The Board agreed. They are expected to take action at a future meeting.