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A panoply of community groups and education-related organizations are forming a super-coalition called “Communities for Los Angeles Student Success” (or CLASS) in an effort to help fill the void that is expected to be left when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa leaves office in July.

“The mayor had a large bully pulpit when it came to education,” said Ryan Smith of United Way. “Obviously, elected officials come and go, but the community is left holding the bag if we don’t make progress with student success.”

“The reason we’re doing the survey is to plan our priorities,” said Smith. “We’re still doing our agenda.” But CLASS’s main focus will be to “advocate for progressive education policy reforms.”

“These organizations, for decades, have been working very hard to increase equitable access to education,” said Smith. “We all value the same thing. It makes sense to come together to have an even larger presence.”

According to Smith, United Way will host the meetings and “create the agenda, help facilitate and guide the group,” which won’t have its own staff or funding stream — yet.

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