Board of Education officially cancels community elections over school-reform plans
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In a largely symbolic but intensely debated move, the Board of Education narrowly voted Tuesday to end elections that allowed parents, high school students, school employees and community members to choose among different reform plans for schools.
These elections were part of the controversial “public school choice” process, by which groups inside and outside the Los Angeles Unified School District have bid for control of dozens of low-achieving schools and newly built campuses. The school-control process was about to enter its third year.
The nonbinding elections were meant to provide input for top district officials. The school board makes the final choice on which bidder takes control of a school.
These advisory elections “didn’t work,” said board member Tamar Galatzan, who represents the west San Fernando Valley. Galatzan listed a string of reported election abuses, including intimidation tactics and incentives such as gifts, parties or course credit.
The results were a measure only of which “campaign team did a better job organizing,” Galatzan said.
