Replacing Marguerite LaMotte in LAUSD District 1
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“Someone said to me chartering schools re-institutes segregation, we need to think about that.” — The late, Honorable Marguerite Poindexter LaMotteAs the runner up in the 2013 LAUSD District 2 election, and as a long time public education advocate, activist, and essayist, I have a keen interest in LAUSD politics. I’ve been studying the District 1 Special Election from a social justice perspective. Let me summarize the candidates running for LAUSD Board of Education District 1 seat. There are four professional educators, and three wholly unqualified opportunists running for the position.
I’ve endorsed Sherlett Hendy Newbill and believe she is the best candidate of the four educators running. Her amazing story is inspiring, and she has proven that she puts community and students first in practice, not in rhetoric. I’ve contributed to the Sherlett Hendy Newbill campaign and will work to get her elected. I also have much respect for, and support both Hattie McFrazier, and Rachel Johnson. All three of these women deserve our admiration for their selfless dedication to the students of Los Angeles. Any of the three would be worthy to sit in the seat of the venerable Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, the late board member whose courage in standing up to neoliberalism and corporate domination of our school board was peerless.
If George McKenna ends up in runoff against one of the non-educators (listed below), I will support him. I know there are mixed feelings about McKenna. People I know and trust, including the highly celebrated Judy Perez of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, have spoken highly of him. The teachers of Miramonte ES, and others have also spoken on his behalf. On the other hand, other people I trust, including teachers from the former Fremont, Crenshaw, and Dorsey high schools have a much different perspective on McKenna.
- Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte
The other three candidates shouldn’t even warrant mention. Unfortunately their disdain of public education and the professional educators serving our school children have garnered them tons of contributions from reactionaries and business interests. There is no shortage of well-heeled charter school tycoons, right-wing business bankers, and contract wielding real estate developers ready to invest in LAUSD District 1 Election: