MEDIA ADVISORY
March 2, 2020
Contact: Anna Bakalis, 213-305-9654
Los Angeles — The stakes are high in the LAUSD School board race to elect Patricia Castellanos in District 7, Scott Schmerelson in District 3, Jackie Goldberg in District 5 and George McKenna in District 1. As of Monday morning, the California Charter Schools Association PAC and billionaires like Bill Bloomfield, who sits on the CCSA PAC board, have funneled more than $6.2 million into the race against these candidates, making it the most expensive primary school board race in US history. They are spending $1 million every other day since last week.
“What our kids don’t need are billionaires spending $20,000 an hour every day to buy our school board election. Imagine if the millions they are spending against public education were redirected into our schools?” said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. “Our school libraries could be open five days a week. We could hire more nurses, counselors, mental health professionals and social workers and invest in ethnic studies, arts and music programs.”
UTLA members, parents and supporters are in final sprint to get out the vote for the March 3 election. See ads in today’s LA Times and La Opinion, attached.
Monday Media Availability
Teachers in support of Patricia Castellanos in District 7
When: Today, Monday March 2
Time: 4:30 – 6 PM
Who: UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, teachers and supporters will be precinct walking, phone banking and texting for Castellanos. Interviews available in English and Spanish.
Location: 103 W Carson St. (Carson and Main Sts.) near Seafood City.
Onsite Contact: Mario Valenzuela, 213-447-3957
Flash mob with teachers in support of Scott Schmerelson in District 3
When: Today, Monday March 2
Time: 4-6 PM
Who: Teachers, parents and students lining the streets with signs, cars honking in support of Schmerleson. Interviews available in English and Spanish.
3 Intersection locations:
Tampa Ave. & Nordhoff St., Northridge (main site)
Ventura Blvd & Laurel Canyon Blvd., Sherman Oaks
Topanga Canyon & Victory Blvds., Canoga Park
What: Teachers holding signs, cars honking in support
Onsite Contact: Scott Mandel, 818-970-7445
Reblogged this on Crazy Normal – the Classroom Exposé and commented:
Beware of the Billionaires out to abuse the children of LA Unified.
There are people I deeply respect supporting and endorsing the board candidates who will stand up for public schools. It was a long day at school today, so I don’t have time to get into elaborating. I just wanted to say a quick thanks. And shame on the greedy billionaires.
You know who you are.
🙂 🙂 yes
Thanks for the heads up Patricia Castellanos! Too late for constituents to attend but it looks like you’re actually making an effort. The meet and greet wasn’t publicized to constituents. I found out on this blog at 6 pm today though it was from 4-6. This is the kind of representation that UTLA and the Dem party are foisting on us.
I am a constituent living in district 7 and a forcibly retired teacher, a lifelong Dem, although this will soon change, a proud educated Chicano and someone who is deeply committed to public education. I sent an important question electronically to Ms Castellanos a few weeks ago and she has not answered. I was informed by her campaign that, “she’s too busy, her staff screens questions,” and since she is new to education that, “she might not be able to answer.” My question is an ‘apple pie’ question, that is, a candidate should be able to answer yes or no without doing research or consulting advisers.
I asked the same question of Dr. Silke Bradford and she answered immediately. Without hesitation. And she was willing to listen and discuss.
Patricia Castellanos is next in line in the Dem party. She is being put forward with the party bigwigs’ money behind her because she is next in line though she does not have the knowledge or experience required to make informed decisions. The expensive mailers we have been receiving since last year mention that “she has a seven-year-old,” in first grade. She was a seven-year-old at one time but that doesn’t qualify her for office as far as I’m concerned.
Dr. Silke Bradford is an educator currently employed in the L. A. County Office of Education. She has been involved in the charter division which we know has limited power to approve or deny any charter, as does the BOE of LAUSD. She also worked for KIPP years ago BUT SHE KNOWS TEACHING FIRST HAND and IS COMMITTED TO RESPECTING ALL PARTS OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION LAW.
Castellanos can’t be bothered.