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LA School Report has learned that a deadlock of the LA Unified school board on how to fill the vacant seat could lead to an election.

In a memo prepared at the request of LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County Counsel John Krattli analyzes options to fill the seat left open by the death last month of District 1 member Marguerite LaMotte.

It states that, “if by February 3, 2014, the LAUSD Board has neither appointed a replacement, nor ordered an election, then the county superintendent of schools must order an election.”

The opinion, which also includes outlining possible scenarios for an election, represent the County’s interpretation of existing law, complicated by overlap between various state, city and county codes. The board, which meets tomorrow, must decide whether the successor will come through an appointment or an election.

We haven’t yet seen a memo from the LA City Clerk’s or City Attorney’s office outlining the interpretation from the official city point of view – let us know if you see it.