The Appointment Imperative In Ms. LaMotte’s Wake
Written by redqueeninla in LAUSD
The immediate crisis following LAUSD board member Marguerite LaMotte’s untimely death involves deciding whether to name her replacement through an election or via school board appointment. Current board member Bennett Kayser has articulated the issues and consequences of this decision very clearly.
As a direct consequence of her very strong character, Ms. LaMotte’s death leaves a void of conscience that many are concerned be filled appropriately. In direct parallel with the previous three regular board elections (first for Bennet Kayser, next for Steve Zimmer and most recently for Mónica Ratliff) that were underwritten by monied philanthropists many of whom (i) do not live in this city, (ii) do not have children in the public school system and (iii) do not support a democratic ideal of public education for and by the public – in parallel with an election underwritten by billionaires’ interests it is feared that such an election would also therefore be undergirded by stealth agendas.
The argument being hoisted to justify an election is to tint the dilemma in civil rights colors. It is observed that representation is the focus of injustice and claimed that without a special election the people of LAUSD1 cannot be faithfully represented.
But omitted from this argument is the long campaign season during which