Election heavy hitter Riordan weighs in: more charter schools and more tents for homeless - LA Times:
Ethics violator Riordan weighs in: Lanches a Smear Campaign Against Steve Zimmer
Former LA Mayor Richard Riordan fined $11,250 for ethics violation - http://www.dailynews.com/government-and-politics/20160621/former-la-mayor-richard-riordan-fined-11250-for-ethics-violation
As for education, he said the L.A. school system continues to fail students. He’s putting his money on charters and board members who support them, although he’d also like to help teachers find affordable housing.Election heavy hitter Riordan weighs in: more charter schools and more tents for homeless - LA Times:
Riordan has donated $1 million to a political action committee whose sole purpose is to defeat school board President Steve Zimmer, part of a strategy to get a board majority allied with supporters of charter schools. He also gave $1 million to a charter advocacy group. It’s funneling money into the three contests for L.A. school board seats, including Zimmer’s District 4, which includes the Westside and part of the west San Fernando Valley.Election heavy hitter Riordan weighs in: more charter schools and more tents for homeless - LA Times:
In the Zimmer race, Riordan is endorsing Nick Melvoin, the son of friend, Brentwood neighbor and Hollywood producer Jeff Melvoin. In his 2014 autobiography, Riordan recounts hearing about challenges the younger Melvoin faced during a two-year stint as a teacher in Watts, including being laid off — along with other young teachers without seniority — and later hired back.
The tale inspired Riordan to help launch a lawsuit, in which Melvoin participated, to limit the impact of seniority-based layoffs at an individual school. It eventually led to a settlement.
Riordan said he also likes the other charter-endorsed candidate in District 4, Allison Holdorff Polhill. But he subtracts a few points because the charter she helped run, Palisades Charter High School, has a union contract. Riordan said the contract makes it too difficult to fire teachers, although he said the school appears to be performing better than L.A. Unified-run campuses.Election heavy hitter Riordan weighs in: more charter schools and more tents for homeless - LA Times:
