-
Chicago Critics Call For an Elected School Board
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has pretty much everything that Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa could ever have wanted when it comes to control over his school district. By state law, the former Obama chief of staff appoints the school board and the superintendent. He and his City Hall deputies effectively set policy and budget priorities. But...
By Alexander Russo | October 12, 2012
-
Dark Money Dominates LAUSD Elections
Until recently, millions of dollars of special interest money flowed directly to candidates for their own campaigns (shown in red). However, the March election for three LAUSD Board seats promises to be dominated by a torrent of outside money from independent expenditure committees (IEs) – much the way super PACs have eclipsed campaign contributions at the...
By Samantha Oltman | October 3, 2012
-
Board Member Galatzan Tells (Almost) All
School board member Tamar Galatzan (pictured) is quite possibly the busiest elected official in the city. One of two board members who has chosen to serve part-time (along with Nury Martinez), Galatzan also has a full-time job at the City Attorney’s office, and is the mother of two boys in elementary school. (She’s the only board...
By Hillel Aron | October 2, 2012
-
“Won’t Back Down” Might Make Debate
Reviews of the new release “Won’t Back Down” vary widely and tend to conform with pre-existing views on education reform issues. Critics like The Nation’s Dana Goldstein describe it as a mean-spirited caricature of classroom teachers funded by a conservative millionaire who wants to destroy public schools — a 2012 version of “Waiting For Superman.”...
By Alexander Russo | October 1, 2012
-
Education-Related Ballot Measures: An Update
A new Los Angeles Times / USC poll shows support for Governor Jerry Brown’s Prop 30 ballot initiative – which would temporarily raise income tax on high earners – has slipped to 54%, down 10 points from March. Despite the erosion, Democratic voters still overwhelmingly favor it, 69-20%. Meanwhile, Molly Munger’s competing tax measure, Prop...
By Hillel Aron | September 29, 2012
-
Possible Board Candidates: District 4
Most Angelenos don’t realize it, but the local primary election is just five months away. Even fewer know that in addition the Mayor and City Council, the March 5 ballot will include three school board seats. Three, count ’em, three (out of seven). But why should anyone be paying attention? There aren’t even any candidates...
By Hillel Aron | September 20, 2012
-
Zimmer Alienating Both Sides
Just about everyone who watches LAUSD is scratching their heads wondering just what board member Steve Zimmer is doing — lately more than ever. He’s introduced two incredibly polarizing motions recently– one to reject the use of Academic Growth Over Time in teacher evaluations, and one to provide greater oversight for charter schools and, more...
By Hillel Aron | September 19, 2012
-
State Teachers Beef Up Prop 32 Opposition
Yesterday, the CTA dropped another $6.9 million into the fight against Proposition 32, which would, among other things, prohibit unions from taking money automatically deducted from their members’ paychecks and spending it on political activity. (See LA Times: Teachers union gives another $6.9 million to Prop. 32 fight.) “This is a huge priority for us,...
By Hillel Aron | September 7, 2012
-
Education At The Conventions
Nothing really important will probably happen at the conventions this week or next but there are more education-related events scheduled than in previous years (when there was next to nothing) and some of the education events that will be taking place might be interesting or at least amusing. Check below for a list, and let...
By Alexander Russo | August 27, 2012
-
Garcia’s First Half Charter School Money
Campaign disclosure statements for the first half of 2012 are now online, providing information on contributions for the two LAUSD board members next up for re-election. Steve Zimmer‘s fundraising appears not to have really begun in earnest (he’s raised less than $10,000. However, Board President Monica Garcia (pictured) has raised a hefty $100,000, about half of which comes...
By Hillel Aron | August 6, 2012