It is the responsibility of the school to follow the law and its authorizer to ensure this is done to the extent possible.“ – Debra Duardo, Superintendent Los Angeles County Office of Education Last November, the LAUSD rejected the North Valley Military Institute’s (NVMI) charter renewal. As allowed by California law, the school appealed the […]
What Message Does Ref Rodriguez Send to the Children of Los Angeles?
My focus remains on my job and duties as a board member.“ – Ref Rodriguez It has been nine months since the news broke that LAUSD Board Member Ref Rodriguez was being charged with participating in a conspiracy that hid the true source of almost $25,000 in campaign donations from the public. While his lawyer […]
Aiding and Abetting the Killing of an Open Government
And I would have made millions if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids.” – Villain caught by Mystery, Inc. With multiple open investigations into alleged violations of the Brown Act, it is clear that the LAUSD School Board needs a refresher course on how this law works. According to LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, […]
Was the Public Deceived in the LAUSD Superintendent Search?
Is this for real?” – LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson When the East Area Progressive Democrats filed a complaint with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office regarding alleged violations of California’s Brown Act, LAUSD Board member Scott Schmerelson’s Public Statement was used as Exhibit A. In releasing this document, Schmerelson exposed that the Board had […]
Complaint Alleges LAUSD Board Violated the Brown Act
None of you should be making all these decisions in private and without the input of the public.” – Former LAUSD Board Member, Jackie Goldberg In 1953, the California legislature declared that “the people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know […]
Austin Beutner Hired As LAUSD’s New Superintendent Without Public Input
I am especially addressing those who have been expressing their frustration with the lack of transparency during the last ten days, when every member of the Board knew that decision had already been made while pretending to be maintaining an open mind toward all the candidates who were deemed finalists.” – LAUSD Board Member, Scott […]
Parents Left In The Dark About Charter Schools
Under the current rules of the LAUSD, “a charter school [is] required to notify all parents, guardians and teachers in writing within 72 hours when the District issues a Notice of Violations…and that the notification include the District’s rationale for the action”. However, no such notification was made after a Notice of Violation was issued […]
How Have Charter Schools Affected Students with Special Education Needs
On February 20, 2018, the LAUSD School Board agendized the proposed Holding GHCHS Accountable to Their Charter as part of their Committee of the Whole meeting. The following is the written statement that I provided to the Board: Honorable LAUSD Board Members: This is Chanda Smith. She was an LAUSD student with special education needs […]
Charters: Public Schools or Private Businesses?
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to do both of the following: (a) Ensure that charter school governance is transparent. (b) Ensure that monitoring and oversight of charter schools are conducted to protect the public interest.” -California AB 1478 As recipients of public funding, one would expect that organizations running […]
LAUSD Board Set to Consider “Holding GHCHS Accountable to Their Charter” Resolution
It’s hard to light a candle, easy to curse the dark instead” – Nightwish In order to prevent charter schools from discouraging parents from enrolling children with special education needs, the Office of the Independent Monitor required that the District prohibit them from asking for any special education paperwork prior to enrollment. As originally pointed […]