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Community groups press school board again on Deasy evaluation

Vanessa Romo | October 9, 2014



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Community Groups LAUSD school boardCommunity groups supportive of Superintendent John Deasy have sent a second letter requesting a meeting with the LA Unified school board to discuss Deasy’s annual performance review.

In a letter sent yesterday to board President Richard Vladovic, the groups chided him for being unresponsive to their concerns about the lack of transparency in the evaluation process, which they conveyed in an earlier letter.

The letters were sent by Teach Plus, the Los Angeles Urban League, Educators 4 Excellence, United Way, Inner City Struggle and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

“As Board President, we call on your leadership to help restore trust and confidence during this critical time,” the letter stated. “Decisions are being made largely behind closed doors, which will affect our schools, students and communities.”

The consortium of educators and community non-profits said it wants to meet with Vladovic sometime before the Oct. 14 board meeting to learn about the parameters for evaluating the superintendent. Further, the groups say they want those metrics to be made public.

“Superintendents and board members should be evaluated and judged, first and foremost, on measurable improvements in student outcomes – especially among low-income and students of color,” they said.

The LA Civic Alliance, which includes some of the city’s most influential philanthropists, real estate developers, bankers, lawyers and non-profit leaders, sent a similar letter to the board late last month, urging the seven members to put student interests first and keep Deasy where he is.

Deasy’s performance review is scheduled for Oct. 21, but there has been growing speculation that Deasy might leave his job before the meeting. In a closed session meeting last month board members floated the idea of offering Deasy an exit package, allowing both sides to part without a formal evaluation or vote to fire the superintendent.

The board is expected to continue the conversation during a closed session that precedes the Oct. 14 open meeting.

Previous Posts: Two groups urging LAUSD board to be objective, transparent

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