Do You Think the LAUSD is Headed in the Right Direction?

Incumbent Tamar Galatzan closed last Thursday’s LAUSD Candidate Forum for District 3 by stating that “the district is going in the right direction.” Considering the “disastrous year” that the LAUSD has just completed, this was an odd assertion that makes the case why change is so desperately needed on the Board. After all, how could anyone consider the following the direction that our students need us to take:

• The $13.5 million MiSiS student information still does not work correctly. It is estimated that it will cost $98 million to fix this program and the district may lose $100 million in state education funding because of the inaccurate record keeping it caused.
• The FBI is investigating the $1.3 billion iPad purchase plan that the incumbent championed. Meanwhile, the repairs that were supposed to be paid for with this bond funding have not occurred.
• The district was forced to settle with the plaintiffs in the Miramonte civil cases. This will divert another $139 million from our classrooms.

The first step to fixing a problem is recognizing that it exists. As a parent with four children enrolled in the LAUSD, I have seen first hand the effects of the district’s cookie-cutter approach to education. Instead of listening to my children’s teachers, the district made me fight so that my children could receive the programs their unique needs require. Unfortunately, this is an experience that too many parents have told me that they share. In the meantime, charter schools have continued to expand as parents flee the district.

If you agree that it is time for a course correction, I ask for your vote on March 3.

I have fought the LAUSD bureaucracy for my kids, now I want to fight it for all students. Let’s give our children the education they deserve.

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I am running for the District 3 seat on the LAUSD School Board. For additional information about my campaign, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com.