Associated Administrators of Los Angeles LAUSD Endorsements 2017

The LAUSD is an Early Education, K-12 through Adult Education Division District. Resources and services must be provided accordingly. — Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA)

From the February 6, 2017 issue of Update

In January, the PAC Steering Committee invited the thirteen candidates for Board Districts 2, 4, and 6 to interviews. All came, with the exception of three. Candidates received AALA’s core values in advance, which may be accessed HERE. Interviews were 30 minutes in length and with the exception of the two incumbents

Monica Garcia and Steve Zimmer, all candidates were asked the same six questions on the following topics: background information and policies; role of Board Members; AALA’s core values; administrator's roles and workload; political base, fundraising, and campaign; final comments and questions.

The committee believes its recommended candidates are true advocates for public schools, are against privatization, and will ensure that all students are provided access and equity to a quality education. Following lively discussion, the PAC Council voted to endorse the following candidates:

• Board District 2—Lisa Alva
• Board District 4—Steve Zimmer
• Board District 6—Imelda Padilla
• L.A. City Council Seat 7—Mónica Ratliff

The Council also voted to donate $1,100 (the maximum allowed by law) to the candidates for the Board of Education and $750 to Mónica Ratliff. These funds come from AALA’s PAC account, which is separate from AALA’s operating budget. AALA members can choose whether to direct a portion of their AALA dues to the PAC.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles LAUSD Endorsements 2017

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles LAUSD Endorsements 2015

[Bennett Kayser] is often a thoughtful voice on the Board and has been a strong supporter of programs for immigrant children, children with disabilities and children of color. — Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA)

From the February 23, 2015 issue of Update

As the March 3 primary election rapidly approaches, we urge AALA members to exercise their right to vote. Pollsters are predicting that the voter turnout will be unusually low, even though there are critical positions that need to be filled. Four seats on the LAUSD Board of Education are open for election—Districts 1, 3, 5, 7—and several candidates are on the ballot. District 1 is the only race in which the incumbent is running unopposed, Dr. George McKenna. The other three races are hotly contested in an election that will virtually determine the future direction of the Board. Once the election has been held, the winners will join the other Board Members in selecting the next Superintendent, balancing the budget and making decisions about the iPad program, new testing procedures and teacher evaluations, all while facing declining student enrollment as charter school numbers increase.

In the contest for Board District 3, AALA has endorsed former teacher and principal Scott Schmerelson (www.Scott4lausd.com), who is running against the incumbent and four other challengers. Scott, who is also Executive Director of ACSA Region XVI and has been endorsed by CSEA, identifies three priorities should he win the election: class sizes, school bond funds and fair wages. Reducing class sizes is his top priority. He experienced the need for this first hand while teaching Spanish last fall at Cleveland High School. His classes had between 42 and 45 students, reducing his ability to interact with the students and even to move about the classroom. Scott has taken the position that school bond funds should be used as intended—for construction and infrastructure upgrades. He opposes the use of bond money for the iPad program, saying, “The from textbook money and since LAUSD is the largest district in the state, we need to go to Sacramento and get the law The money for changed so we can use that money to purchase devices that hold textbooks.”

Current Board Member Bennett Kayser (www.Bennett2015.com) has received AALA’s support in his bid for reelection in District 5. This race has become particularly nasty, with the Charter School Association’s political action committee (PAC) distributing numerous flyers that attack not just Bennett’s politics, but his integrity, ethics and even his health. During his years on the Board of Education, Bennett, a former teacher, has been a dedicated, strong advocate for administrators and teachers and opposed to increasing the number of charter schools. He is often a thoughtful voice on the Board and has been a strong supporter of programs for immigrant children, children with disabilities and children of color. In addition to AALA, he has earned the support of all of the District’s major unions, including UTLA, SEIU and CSEA.

AALA endorses Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic (www.Vladovic4schoolboard.com) in his reelection bid in District 7. His priorities include proper distribution of money to schools that need it most, a MiSiS system that works, a teacher evaluation system that’s fair and a better use of best practices districtwide. Dr. Vladovic has spent his entire career in public education, beginning as a teacher and moving through the ranks to principal and superintendent. He has received the endorsement of the Los Angeles Times, Daily News, Daily Breeze, numerous elected officials, including Mayor Garcetti, and the majority of the labor unions, except UTLA. Dr. Vladovic fought to end the year round calendar and supported the maintenance of health benefits for all employees.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles LAUSD Endorsements 2015

4LAKIDS (Scott M. Folsom's) LAUSD ENDORSEMENTS 2015

●●4LAKIDS ENDORSEMENTS:

Board District 1: GEORGE McKENNA
Board District 3: SCOTT SCHMERELSON
Board District 5: BENNETT KAYSER
Board District 7: RICHARD VLADOVIC

EXPLAINER: Three incumbents are endorsed here even though to would be hard to grade the performance of the board of education over the past few years above a low “C”. This may be “social promotion”: there is plenty of room for improvement. However one must apply the “What have you done for me lately?” test – and eventually, recently, tardily and with-much drama the board rose-up-and-removed Superintendent Deasy. Kayser was Deasy’s greatest critic – and as such may have not been as effective at other things as he could’ve been. McKenna has been the board less than a year. And speaking for the genre: It’s great to see a truly talented old dog learn some new tricks! Valdovic was one of the last to come around and sometimes his leadership of the board was been absent-or-ineffectual – but his experience trumps that of his opponents. Galatzan’s obstreperousness is the biggest catalyst for an “Anyone but Tamar Campaign” …but “anyone” isn’t on the ballot and Scott S. is the strongest one there. The challenge ahead for the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles is to hire the next superintendent and all the other things in the article above. The voter’s job is to put together 4/7th’s – a potentially deciding majority - of the team to do that.

But mostly the voter’s job is to vote.

4LAKIDS (Scott M. Folsom's) LAUSD ENDORSEMENTS 2015

Network for Public Education to our Friends and Allies in California: Support Sherlett Hendy Newbill for LAUSD School Board

NPE to our Friends and Allies in California: Support Sherlett Hendy Newbill for LAUSD School Board As a friend of Network for Public Education, you understand the importance of supporting candidates for public office who will work to protect, preserve, promote, and strengthen public schools. In California, an important election will be settled on June 3rd. In the Los Angeles School Board race, Sherlett Hendy Newbill has earned NPE's endorsement.  Hendy Newbill is a teacher, a coach and a parent who grew up in District 1 as the daughter of immigrants who struggled to put food on the table for their five children. She attended elementary, middle and high school in District 1. After graduating from Susan Miller Dorsey High School, Hendy Newbill received a scholarship to attend Xavier University in New Orleans. She later returned to Los Angeles to raise a family in the neighborhood in which she was raised and to teach in the school she attended. NPE endorsed Hendy Newbill because of her commitment to high quality neighborhood schools. She said, "I have worked with teachers, parents and community members for 16 years to improve schools, stop budget cuts, stop school closures and reconstitutions." As an educator and a mother, Hendy Newbill stands out among the field of candidates. She said, "Our public school system is under attack. I am the only candidate who is not a politician and not tied in with the corporate reform movement." In keeping with her commitment to community, Hendy Newbill will fight to protect and build up public schools. When elected, she will work to create a Family Center network, which will provide wraparound services for the community.       When asked about school closures, Hendy Newbill said, "When the school I teach at was threatened with being closed or reconstituted, I organized with teachers, parents, alumni and the community to stop this at my school and to put a moratorium on school closures in LA because closing schools is horrible for students and communities. Don't shut down schools. Give them what they need." On the topic of testing, she said, "Students are more than a test score. Testing should be one of many components used to evaluate students. As a teacher in the trenches of our schools, I know first hand that when teachers focus only on raising test scores, they narrow the curriculum, focus too much on test prep and the students suffer.  We need a school board member that gets this." The Network for Public Education only endorses candidates who have made a strong commitment to public education. We don't have the kind of money that allows us to compete financially with the billionaires. But with a strong network of parents, students, teachers, and public education advocates, we inspire our allies to take part in the democratic process and support the best candidates. It is projected that there will be a low turnout in this election and NPE encourages those who value public education to get out and vote for Sherlett Hendy Newbill on June 3rd. You may not live in Los Angeles, but we ask that you share this message with friends in L.A.. For more information about Sherlett Hendy Newbill, check outhendynewbill.com. For more information about the Network for Public Education, go to networkforpubliceducation.org. WE ARE MANY. THERE IS STRENGTH IN OUR NUMBERS. TOGETHER WE WILL SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

Network for Public Education to our Friends and Allies in California: Support Sherlett Hendy Newbill for LAUSD School Board

통합교육구-1지구, 교사/학부모/코치, 셜렛 헨디 뉴빌 (Sherlett Hendy Newbill)

통합교육구-1지구, 교사/학부모/코치, 셜렛 헨디 뉴빌 (Sherlett Hendy Newbill) #LAUSD http://t.co/Ry1YzsRflc http://t.co/eAbki3c0GW

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) May 31, 2014

셜렛 헨디 뉴빌 (Sherlett Hendy Newbill)

통합교육구-1지구, 교사/학부모/코치, 셜렛 헨디 뉴빌 (Sherlett Hendy Newbill)

Congratulations Sherlett Hendy Newbill on receiving the LAUSD endorsement by Dr. Diane Ravitch's Network Public Education

Congratulations Sherlett Hendy Newbill on receiving the #LAUSD endorsement by Dr. @DianeRavitch's @NetworkPublicEd! http://t.co/cMMmwkqwhs

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) May 23, 2014

Dr. Diane Ravitch's Network for Public Education endorses Sherlett Hendy Newbill for LAUSD by Robert D. Skeels

Congratulations Sherlett Hendy Newbill on receiving the LAUSD endorsement by Dr. Diane Ravitch's Network Public Education

Elect Lisa Karahalios AFT Vice President UTLA

Elect Lisa Karahalios AFT Vice President UTLA by Robert D. Skeels

Elect Lisa Karahalios AFT Vice President UTLA

Vote for a Friend of Bilingual Education—Anne Zerrien-Lee UTLA North Area Director, NEA

Vote for a Friend of Bilingual Education—Anne Zerrien-Lee for #UTLA North Area Director, NEA. https://t.co/n2qHNzunZf pic.twitter.com/4C7z1MY4Jc

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) February 25, 2014

The UTLA Board of Directors needs more members like Anne Zerrien-Lee. PLEASE VOTE FOR HER IN THE NORTH AREA. She recently won this award from the UTLA Bilingual Education Committee:

Friend of Bilingual Education

bestowed upon

Anne Zerrien-Lee

For her leadership, dedication, support and continuous advocacy towards ensuring educational success in two languages for our bilingual students in order that a fair and sovereign society be realized with full inherent linguistic and cultural rights presented on this day, February 14, 2014 at Los Angeles, California.

What kind of community activist is Anne? Here's one of myriad anecdotes. When the grocery workers were on strike, she organized UTLA solidarity pickets at her neighborhood markets on her own! They were very popular, showed solidarity, and proved that we can self-organize without waiting for "leaders" to tell us what to do.

Vote for a Friend of Bilingual Education—Anne Zerrien-Lee UTLA North Area Director, NEA

My UTLA Endorsements for 2014

I typically stay out of UTLA internal politics. Unlike the nonprofit industrial complex (NPIC), and our own government, unions are intensely democratic institutions where the members really demonstrate self governance. However, with the forces of neoliberalism on the verge of privatizing the remains of public education, I realize that public sector unions are the last bastion against the plutocracy crushing the remains of the public commons under their well-heeled jackboots. In the past year I've watched sectarian groups rise up in UTLA. The divisiveness and disruptiveness of their tactics have undermined UTLA's ability to serve as a buffer between the ravages of finance capital and our community. In the light of this, I decided to compile a list of people that have proven themselves as activists and champions of public education. They are people who have worked hand in hand with the community to stave off neoliberal policies, fight privatization, advocate for underrepresented students like ELLs and Special Needs, and more. I may revise this list slightly, but for the most part, it is complete. I've kept the names in the same order they appear on UTLA's roster.

UTLA President

There are many people running for this position, too bad José Lara, Sean Abajian, and Lisa Karahalios' names aren't among them.

UTLA NEA Vice President

M. J. (Mary Jan) Roberts: a tireless advocate of children. She really should be the LAUSD Superintendent, then we'd see some real changes.

UTLA AFT Vice President

Lisa Karahalios: smart, savvy, and indefatigable. There's rarely an event she is not a participant in. The depth and breadth of her policy insight exceeds even mine. Honestly she should have run for UTLA President. Moreover, she was a Classics major!

UTLA Elementary VP (multiple endorsement)

Juan Ramirez: champion of ELLs and luminary in Spanish speaking community. Co-founded La Educación radio and newspaper.

Robin Potash: articulate and savvy organizer. Her work on Prop 39 issues, on exposing CCSS faults, and with Jackie Goldberg on Transparency, Equity, and Accountability for Charters (TEACh) is crucial.

Fernando Bravo Ledezma

UTLA Secondary VP (dual endorsement)

Colleen Schwab

Francisco R. Martinez Avid immigrant rights supporter, and all around activist. We had great conversations during OccupyLAUSD

UTLA Treasurer

Tim Delia

UTLA Secretary (dual endorsement)

Tomás Flores: an excellent supporter of bilingual programs, and active member of Raza Ed.

David Lyell: was instrumental in the struggle to save LAUSD Adult Education, and contributed to my school board run.

UTLA Board of Directors - North Area

Matthew Kogan: (FOR AREA CHAIR) his organizing capabilities have proven time and again that we can energize the community for real change.

Anne Zerrien-Lee: there is no better activist, writer, or advocate for children than Anne. She is one of those very special people that one feels privileged to know.

Jeff Pott

UTLA Board of Directors - South Area

Ingrid C. Villeda: (FOR AREA CHAIR) has led the fight on many key social justice issues and isn't afraid to take on billionaire backed right-wing organizations like the vile Parent Revolution.

Maria Miranda

Ayde Bravo

Ayesha Brooks

UTLA Board of Directors - East Area

Ingrid Gunnell

Mila Lopez

Gloria Martinez

Gillian Russom (FOR AREA CHAIR)

Amelia Velasquez (FOR AREA CHAIR)

Adrian Tamayo

UTLA Board of Directors - West Area

Daniel Moran: perhaps the most unsung hero in our communities, Dan has worked tirelessly on behalf of students and does tremendous research for those of us that write about education issues.

Noah Lippe-Klein

UTLA Board of Directors - Central

Kelly Flores: incredible educator and activist, really should be on the list of presidential candidates. We need Kelly's voice advocating for those who need representation in our district.

Zulma Tobar

Paul Uchenna Ngwoke

Jose Lara: (FOR AREA CHAIR) hands down the best organizer in UTLA, maybe even in Los Angeles! Board Member of the El Rancho Unified School District. José should be running for UTLA president, but we'll have to settle for him as area chair.

UTLA Board of Directors - Valley East

Linda Everhart

Bobby Vinas

Victoria Casas

Alex Orozco: (FOR AREA CHAIR)

UTLA Board of Directors - Harbor

Ginger Rose Fox: (FOR AREA CHAIR) when you think arts advocacy, think Ginger Rose Fox.

Donald A. Willis

Jennie Duggan

Philip A. Gross

UTLA Board of Directors - Adult Ed

Ernest Kettenring

UTLA Board of Directors - Bilingual Ed

Cheryl Ortega: we're fortunate to keep our most experienced, dedicated individual at the helm of UTLA Bilingual Education.

UTLA Board of Directors - Early Childhood Education

Juanita C. Garcia: another person whose contributions to our community and students goes without the praise it deserves.

UTLA Board of Directors - Substitutes

Fredrick “Rick” Bertz: we don't always agree, but Rick works hard and is passionate about education. He will do the substitutes proud.

My UTLA Endorsements for 2014