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‘Political Season’ Starting with UTLA Leadership Conference
The local teachers union, UTLA, is holding its annual leadership conference next weekend, starting August 2 at the Westin Hotel near LAX. “The conference is an important way for us to unite as a union, and to provide you with support and resources for the challenges in the coming year,” reads the invite letter. “We...
By Hillel Aron | July 25, 2013
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Another Shocker in the East Valley: Here’s How it Happened
Local politicos are still recovering from last night’s shock result in the City Council District 6 special election, where former LAUSD Board member Nury Martinez stunned former State Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, winning by fewer than 900 votes. Because of the exceedingly low voter turnout in the East Valley district, the margin was enough to give...
By Hillel Aron | July 24, 2013
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Garcetti Makes First Education Appointment (updated)
Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed Abigail Marquez as “the associate director of education and workforce,” his first education-related appointment. Marquez, an enthusiastic supporter and fundraiser for Garcetti during his recent election, formerly served as East Area director (a sort of community liaison) for Garcetti’s predecessor, Antonio Villaraigosa. She is also on the board of Legacy...
By Hillel Aron | July 23, 2013
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Deciphering the Kayser Letter (updated)
Reporters were left scrambling late Friday afternoon when they received copies of a letter sent by School Board member Bennett Kayser to Superintendent John Deasy, asking Deasy to develop a “succession plan” for the superintendent and other senior staff. The letter was littered with typos: The date at the top read “7/19/23.” The word “therefore”...
By Hillel Aron | July 22, 2013
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Is Kayser Pushing Deasy Out the Door?
School Board member Bennett Kayer is asking Superintendent John Deasy, to draw up a “succession plan” for the superintendent and his senior staff. “As the District mandates that every school have an emergency plan, so must our leadership and its structure,” Kayer says in a letter addressed to Deasy, a copy of which was obtained...
By Hillel Aron | July 19, 2013
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Teachers Unions Oppose NCLB Waiver That the ‘CA 9’ Want
The California Office to Reform Education, a group of nine California school districts, including LAUSD, met with federal officials this week to make a last pitch for a No Child Left Behind waiver, which would exempt those districts from meeting certain requirements. One little wrinkle though: last Friday, a group of nine teachers unions, including California Teachers...
By Hillel Aron | July 19, 2013
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Monica Ratliff Does “Which Way LA?”
Newly elected School Board member Monica Ratliff sat down with Warren Olney yesterday on KCRW’s Which Way, LA?. You can listen below, the interview starts at around the 8:45 mark: Some highlights: On why she voted for Dr. Richard Vladovic for School Board President: “The two nominees were Tamar [Galatzan] and Richard. And I asked...
By Hillel Aron | July 19, 2013
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Martinez v. Montanez Gets Ugly
Remember former School Board member Nury Martinez? She’s locked in a tough runoff with Cindy Montanez for the last open City Council seat. Whoever wins will be the only woman on the 15-member body. Montanez, who finished 19 points ahead of Martinez in the May primary, stepped up her attacks on Martinez this week, sending...
By Hillel Aron | July 17, 2013
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Update: Vladovic Cleared On One of Two Investigations
The LA Times‘s Howard Blume reports this morning that newly elected School Board President Richard Vladovic has been “cleared of wrongdoing after an internal investigation into whether he acted improperly in connection with sexual misconduct allegations against a teacher at a Wilmington school.” That would be Robert Pimentel, the 57-year-old teacher at De La Torre Elementary...
By Hillel Aron | July 12, 2013
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Morning Read: Grading — & Defending — Mr. Deasy
Teachers Union Gives Poor Grade to L.A. Schools Supt. Deasy The L.A. teachers union pressed its campaign of criticism against L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy Thursday with the release of a survey in which 85% of those who responded rated him below average or poor. LA Times See also: Daily News, KPCC, CBS Groups Defend...
By Hillel Aron | July 12, 2013