Karen Wolfe is a public school parent in Los Angeles:
She writes:
“Just like a rash of neighborhood robberies reminds us to double check that our doors are locked, Ref “Reformer” Rodriguez’s campaign to take the school board seat away from experienced educator Bennett Kayser reminds us how vulnerable we are.
“One recent alarm came in the form of an invitation to a fundraiser at the home of Frank Baxter (supporter of charters since they were a twinkle in his eye, in the 1990s, and now co-chairman of the board of the Alliance charter management organization).
“The Special Guest was none other than Marshall Tuck, the recently defeated candidate for California Superintendent.
“Defeat is no obstacle for someone like Tuck. Sure, in addition to losing his election, he was left off the “really good list of ed reform leaders in LA :)” which LA School Report publisher Jamie Alter Lynton sent to her husband, Sony chief Michael Lynton. (Readers can see the whole list in the treasure trove of leaked Sony emails exposed on WikiLeaks.)
“So, at the Ref Rodriguez fundraiser, Marshall Tuck was the Special Guest.
“The suggested donations were $500-$1100 per person. Why stop at $1100? I thought the LA City Ethics Commission in January raised the campaign donation limit to $1300. Maybe supporters are purposely reserving $200 because it’s just enough for a trip to Walmart for campaign supplies–valet parking included. That’s what Students For Education Reform disclosed spending on April 13, working *independently* to defeat Bennett Kayser.
“Humor aside, it turns out $1100 is the donation limit, and $200 in receipts is not even a drop in the bucket to Walmart of course. The billionaire retailer is waging a war on labor unions and the quickest route is through public schools.
“No one has stood up more consistently for the school district’s union partners than Bennett Kayser. So where is the brotherhood and sisterhood as we fight to protect and restore our schools? As Bennett Kayser wages the campaign fight for his life?
“According to folks close to Kayser’s campaign, SEIU has stepped in. This is surprising to education activists who have been unnerved by SEIU’s advocacy for former superintendent Deasy and other privateers. Let’s hope they increase their support tremendously–immediately. But where are the teachers, for whom Bennett Kayser—a former classroom teacher—has been a steadfast supporter? While UTLA strongly backed Bennett Kayser in the primary campaign, their organization is invisible as we near the finish line.
“Bennett Kayser is being outspent by charters 9:1. But if every teacher that lives in Board District 5 brings in two votes, Bennett Kayser will win and, once again, people will win over corporate power. UTLA can provide the kind of support that can make a monumental difference. They need to do it today.
“The alarm is sounding for Bennett Kayser’s campaign.
“Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact 323-535-9930 and donations can be made at http://www.bennett2015.com/donate-online.html. Every single bit helps.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
As a resident of this board district, I’m underwhelmed by both candidates. I”d never, ever vote for that money grabbing Ref Rodriqez, no matter how many slick campaign handouts and young know nothing precinct walkers come to my door. He is the face of privatization in LAUSD. Kayser, nothing to say about this board member who 99.9o/o of the time voted to terminate veteran teachers accused of misconduct. As a matter of fact, I hate this school board and hope they all get voted out.
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The shameful history of Deasy Jail needs to be investigated for sure.
But if Bennett Kayser does not retain his seat, we will return to those days on steroids. In the next year, the school board will sign UTLA’s contract and will choose the next superintendent. It’s critical that he stay right where he is.
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The shameful history of Deasy Jail needs to be investigated for sure.
But if Bennett Kayser does not retain his seat, we will return to those days on steroids. In the next year, the school board will sign UTLA’s contract and will choose the next superintendent. It’s critical that he stay right where he is.
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Karen…
I can understand Paula’s torment and frustration with the LAUSD BoE members. Only the wonderful deceased, Marguerite La Motte, bravely voted against Deasy, and also Monica Ratliff abstained in a vote of support for him…..and that happened in 2013, after the huge teachers’ vote of 91% No Confidence in him. But looking at the last 4 years amalgam of votes, Garcia and Galatzan were the prime Deasy supporters.
So Paula, please reconsider since Kayser, who, as a teacher, is a union supporter and he understands the damage being done by the rapid imposition of charters, many of these possibly fraudulent as seemingly with Rodriguez and PUC, Ii is clear that he must be re-elected over a proven scam artist like Ref. We have an opportunity of improving the situation at Beaudry, let’s not blow it.
I would hope (and I personally am supporting Kayser, and my organization Joining Forces for Education is endorsing him) that he will be assiduous from here on, in hearing our voices, and that of other members of the public, and will always vote with informed and honest fairness. This means that he will stand in support of NO MORE Blue Ribbon set ups as advisors, but he will insist on using many of us who have been in this fray for years, as a committee of partners to seek a new Superintendent after a nationwide search (Cortines said this process starts at the end of this school year), and then to be part of the interview process with each candidate. All this MUST be transparent for all of LA to follow. No more secret meetings of the BoE. And no more Eli Broad input as to who and how LAUSD should be run.
I also hope that Monica Ratliff, who has been the only consistent BoE member to be unequivocal and realistic, as in reporting on the bidding info on the iPads and Pearson, will be elected by her peers as the new President of the BoE.
We have to look at the long view, past this May 19 election…and we need to assure that Kayser and Schmerelson are Ratliff’s partners (plus ‘Doc’ George who was voted to replace La Motte, Steve Z,. and Vlad) in changing the direction of what has been a series of weak and often politically charged Boards which were run more for Eli Broad and his uber wealthy cronies, than for the taxpayers of Los Angeles.
No more charades at Beaudry!
No more Broadies at LAUSD!
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Ellen, I agree with you completely. The reason I work on these other campaigns outside my own board member district is that with each seat, the question of whether Los Angeles is a reform district or a district that supports equitable education opportunities hangs in the balance.
Regarding superintendent, we need to start saying out loud at board meetings, to the media, in the blogosphere, and everywhere, we will not accept another Broadie. The stealth with which Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana firmly positioned herself just behind Cortines should elicit cries from the mountaintops. She was sent out of Santa Ana on a rail, but landed the post in LAUSD after some shenanigans that were well reported. She would destroy all that we have worked for.
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Paula
This is rather like when I vote for President. I vote for the candidate I think will promote the right people for the Supreme Court. Never look at just the immediate detail (I. e. this person does a few things I do not agree with). Think long term. What will the result be?
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