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Low turnout — maybe a record — expected for 3 LAUSD board races
Hello, out there. Yoooohoooo. Election tomorrow. Anyone paying attention? Six finalists are competing for three seats on the LA Unified school board, and the biggest question may be not so much as who they are or what do they stand for, but how many people care? Despite millions of dollars in outside spending and concerted...
By Michael Janofsky | May 18, 2015
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A deal that lets LAUSD and the teachers union proclaim victory
Views of an agreement: The salary raises agreed upon in the deal between LA Unified and the teachers union, UTLA, is a win for both sides. Of, course, each side can spin the results in a different way. For the teachers, they can legitimately say they got a double-digit boost, 10 percent over two years....
By Michael Janofsky | April 21, 2015
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Private internal poll showing Gutierrez slightly ahead of Vladovic
LA Unified board President Richard Vladovic appears to be in the political fight of his life. A recent internal poll of District 7 voters by the California Charter Schools Association Advocates and Great Public Schools: Los Angeles, which the groups shared with LA School Report, showed his challenger, Lydia Gutierrez, leading by 37 percent to 34 percent,...
By Michael Janofsky | April 15, 2015
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Vladovic lashes out at Gutierrez over position on vaccinations
A skirmish has broken out between LA Unified board President Richard Vladovic and Lydia Gutierrez, his opponent in the May 19 runoff election for District 7, over the issue of vaccinations for students. In response to Gutierrez’s opposition to a state senate bill that would bar parents from opting out of vaccinations for their children,...
By Michael Janofsky | April 10, 2015
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Analysis: A deal with the teachers soon may carry a Kayser message
* UPDATED Could a deal between LA Unified and its teachers union, UTLA, be close at hand? The answer is a definite maybe, judging by the accelerated schedule of meetings with the mediator trying to bring the sides together. Two more sessions are scheduled — today and tomorrow. If that’s a sign of progress leading...
By Michael Janofsky | April 9, 2015
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Zimmer: immersion school is ‘game-changer’ to stem falling enrollment
Despite neighborhood opposition to a proposed $30 million Mandarin-immersion elementary school in Mar Vista, LA Unified school board member Steve Zimmer calls the project “a game-changer” in the district’s efforts to reverse years of enrollment declines that have cost hundreds of millions of dollars. “I don’t have accurate words to express how important this issue...
By Michael Janofsky | April 6, 2015
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Commentary: A message from McKenna that he has nothing to say
Close readers of LA School Report might notice how infrequently LA Unified board member George McKenna is quoted in any story, apart from comments he makes at board meetings. There’s a reason for that, as I was reminded again yesterday in an email from him, and it’s a reason that both saddens me and, I...
By Michael Janofsky | March 12, 2015
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Analysis: Primaries over, LAUSD races now seeking voters and money
Now that the primaries are over, it’s time to ponder a few issues they raise. And perhaps nothing is more ponderous than turnout. Los Angeles is growing notorious for the pathetic number of voters who show up at polling places. But if you thought Tuesday’s less-than-10 percent turnout was bad, just wait until the May...
By Michael Janofsky | March 5, 2015
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LAUSD board elections tomorrow a referendum on the status quo
The fate of three LA Unified board incumbents — and the influence of charter schools and teachers — is on the line tomorrow when voters cast ballots to decide how satisfied they are with the seven-member board that runs the nation’s second-largest school district. Any candidate winning a majority is in. Without a majority winner,...
By Michael Janofsky | March 2, 2015
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Analysis: Graham lawsuit poses serious questions for LAUSD board
We’ve all seen this in person or on TV: One lawyer says something provocative or inappropriate, and the opposing lawyer leaps to his feet, saying “Objection, your honor.” “Sustained,” says the judge. “The jury will disregard that last remark.” After yesterday, we’re now all in the jury box, trying to figure out what to make...
By Michael Janofsky | February 26, 2015