Newly Elected Los Angeles School Board Members Unite to Protect Vulnerable Students and Staff
Newly elected or reelected board members are focused on protecting the district’s most vulnerable students and staff, particularly immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, following wins that are generally a plus for Supt. Alberto Carvalho and the teachers union, and a setback for privately managed charter schools.
Declining Enrollment is a Big Issue
In an interview, Schmerelson cited declining enrollment as a key problem going forward. “Without improved enrollment, the school system cannot survive, and I am constantly beating the bushes, talking to neighborhood councils and making sure that people are aware of how wonderful our LAUSD schools are,” Schmerelson said.
Pledges to Keep Black Student Achievement Program Strong
Schmerelson also spoke of making sure that the school system’s special efforts to support Black students stay on track through its Black Student Achievement Plan. “This is the first time that I can remember that our Black and African American students have risen with everyone else,” Schmerelson said, citing recent standardized test scores. “And I really do credit that to the BSAP program — the experiences that they have of visiting colleges and having additional social, emotional help, making sure the master schedule has all the courses that they need and things that they like to take. And you see that rise in scholars because of all of that.”
Super-Costly Races
Schmerelson’s District 3 race came close to being the most expensive local school board campaign ever, with more than $7.84 million spent by outside groups on the two candidates.
Newly Elected Board Members Pledge to Protect Vulnerable Students and Staff
Three of the newly elected or reelected board members are focused on protecting the district’s most vulnerable students and staff, particularly immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. “I think that there’s going to be a lot of attacks on our most vulnerable students and our most vulnerable populations,” said Karla Griego, who was newly elected to replace retiring board member Jackie Goldberg. “And so we have to stand strong and lead as a district in defending our most vulnerable students, in defending all the things that we have made headway on and continue to fight for more.”
Conclusion
The newly elected or reelected board members are united in their mission to protect the district’s most vulnerable students and staff, and to continue to support the district’s special efforts to support Black students. The board majority is also expected to be pro-public school, which could impact future decisions related to charter schools.
FAQs
Q: What are the newly elected board members focused on?
A: The newly elected or reelected board members are focused on protecting the district’s most vulnerable students and staff, particularly immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Q: What is the Black Student Achievement Plan?
A: The Black Student Achievement Plan is a special program aimed at supporting Black students in the LAUSD.
Q: How much was spent on the District 3 race?
A: More than $7.84 million was spent by outside groups on the two candidates in the District 3 race.
Q: What is the current enrollment in the LAUSD?
A: The current enrollment in the LAUSD is about 409,500, which includes the recently added grade of transitional kindergarten for 4-year-olds.
