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Former principal-turned-politician Scott Schmerelson has become the new president of the Los Angeles Board of Education, weeks after defeating a well-funded opponent to win a close and costly re-election. .
Schmerelson, 73, will take the helm in his third and final term representing District 3, which covers the western San Fernando Valley.
“I don’t know if you know the intensity of the battle we were facing in Board District 3,” Schmerelson said after being sworn in. We work together against the power of money. When I say money, I mean $5 million. That’s what I call money. ”
Mr. Schmerelson’s remarks acknowledged the opposition coalition that provided $5.4 million in funding to the campaign against Mr. Schmerelson, primarily through Bill Bloomfield, a retired businessman who is a critic of teachers’ unions, and the California Charter School Association. Ta. Defender. These opponents were hoping to elect challenger Dan Zhang.
Charter schools are private public schools that enroll approximately one in five public school students in Los Angeles Unified. Their supporters had hoped to gain more influence in recent elections, but were unsuccessful.
A $2.4 million pushback from the teachers’ union supported Mr. Schmerelson.
Mr. Schmerelson has pledged to serve on everyone’s board.
“Even those who opposed us, we will work with them,” he said.
Schmerelson emphasized the importance of everyone involved in the nation’s second-largest school system.
“The promise we made was [was] It’s about making sure every child, every student, is treated fairly, has opportunity and is trusted,” Schmerelson said. And make sure “all employees are actually seen.” we know who you are. ”
“Every parent, every guardian, every community member has some way in which they can contribute to the education of their children,” Schmerelson said, adding that in her career, she has worked with teachers, counselors, vice principals and principals. He pointed out that he had changed to .
“My belief has always been the same…every single person matters in school, and I don’t want to hear anyone say, ‘Well, I’m just a parent,’ or ‘I’m just an administrator.’ ”…That’s not true. We are all valuable. We all matter, and at LAUSD, we all matter. ”
At LA Unified, the board chair is elected from among the seven board members for a one-year term. The superintendent presides over school board meetings, assigns school board members to committee work, represents the district publicly and privately, and plays a key role in setting the meeting and policy agenda. .
Schmerelson follows Jackie Goldberg, who did not seek re-election. Goldberg was a prominent national voice and a talented strategist behind the scenes. Although Schmerelson does not have a similar role on the board, he is used to running meetings and understands the policy-making process.
In a recent interview, Schmerelson admitted that he had to learn a lot since he was first elected to the board. He said he always feels comfortable visiting schools and gets a feel for what each individual campus needs. He said it’s important to keep that perspective, even if you have to learn about budget and policy issues.
Mr. Schmerelson was the only director nominated as a candidate for president.
A similar scenario played out in the vote for vice chairman of the board. Mr. Rocio Rivas was nominated by each director.
Despite board members representing different political factions, the vote was unanimous and no controversy arose.
Prior to Mr. Schmerelson’s promotion, newly elected board members, including Mr. Schmerelson, took the oath of office.
Carla Griego was also sworn in to replace Mr. Goldberg. Charlette Hendy Newbill also joined the board, replacing George McKenna, who like Goldberg is retiring and is not seeking re-election.
Griego and Hendy Newbill both rely heavily on their predecessor’s staff, suggesting the election results leave much of the original continuity in the leadership of the nation’s second-largest school system. .
Also sworn in Tuesday was Tanya Ortiz Franklin, who won re-election in the March primary but was not on the November ballot. Franklin’s swearing-in was pre-recorded, and in the video she was pregnant.
Mr. Franklin attended the meeting remotely and participated in the vote. She appeared in the video holding a newborn wearing a costume.
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