Vierling C. Kersey

Vierling C. Kersey Sr. (January 28, 1890 – February 29, 1980) was an American educator and politician who served as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and as the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District.^[1]

Vierling C. Kersey
Kersey in 1935
Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District
In office February 1, 1937 – August 1, 1948
Preceded by	Frank A. Bouelle
Succeeded by	Alexander J. Stoddard
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office February 11, 1929 – February 1, 1937
Preceded by	William John Cooper
Succeeded by	Walter F. Dexter
Personal details
Born	(1890-01-28)January 28, 1890 New Jersey
Died	February 29, 1980(1980-02-29) (aged 90) Los Angeles, California
Spouse	Flora Myrtle Hommer ​ (m. 1908)​
Children	2
Alma mater	Los Angeles State Normal School (BA, MA)

Early life and education

Kersey was born on January 28, 1890, in New Jersey to Richard Wakefield Keysey and Abbie L. Brewer. He attended Los Angeles State Normal School, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916 and a master's degree in 1921.

Career

Kersey in 1950.

Prior to becoming State Superintendent, Kersey was a teacher and later principal of multiple schools.^[2][3] Kersey was appointed by governor C. C. Young to succeed William John Cooper as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He took office on February 11, 1929, being elected to a full term in 1930 and re-elected in 1934. In 1936, Kersey was elected as Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District after incumbent Frank A. Bouelle resigned due to ill health.^[4][5] In 1949, Keysey was selected to become the principal of Van Nuys High School and the director of the Los Angeles Valley College. In 1955, Kersey was elected as the first vice president of the San Fernando Valley Youth Foundation.^[6]

Personal life

Kersey married Flora Myrtle Hommer on November 21, 1908, in Santa Ana, California, with the two having two children, Vierling Kersey Jr. and Myrtle Evelyn Kersey. He died on February 29, 1980, in Los Angeles.