Karla Griego and Graciela Ortiz are the two remaining candidates for the open seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board District 5, following Jackie Goldberg’s retirement. LAUSD Board District 5 covers Northeast Los Angeles from East Hollywood to Eagle Rock, extending through Koreatown and Pico-Union to parts of Southeast L.A. Griego has answered questions posed to both candidates by LAUSD parent Carl J. Petersen, while Ortiz has consistently failed to respond to inquiries.
Griego’s responses shed light on various important issues facing the LAUSD. When asked about the delinquent overallocation fees owed by charter schools to the District, Griego emphasized the need to limit charter expansion and renewals until these debts are paid off. She also criticized the deceptive practices of Charter corporations and called for schools to have decision-making power over their facilities to benefit students.
Regarding accountability for misleading information provided by the Director of the Charter School Division, Griego stressed the importance of holding Charter companies responsible and empowering schools to use their facilities in the best interest of their students. She highlighted the need for a homeless liaison in each school and advocated for creative solutions, such as building housing for homeless students and families on vacant lots.
Griego expressed her disagreement with her opponent’s stance on evaluating the Superintendent, asserting that it is crucial for School Board members to hold the Superintendent accountable for the benefit of students and employees. She also identified areas of potential waste in the budget, such as high-paid administrators and contracts with outside consultants, and emphasized the need for stakeholder input in decision-making processes.
When discussing the evaluation of the Superintendent, Griego emphasized the importance of setting predetermined goals informed by stakeholder input and monitoring progress toward achieving these goals. She also voiced support for equipping school nurses with resources and facilities necessary to provide quality health services to students.
Griego affirmed the importance of Special Education Centers and Special Day Classes in the District’s continuum of services, emphasizing the need for parents to be informed and empowered to choose the best options for their children during the IEP process. She also addressed the adversarial nature of the IEP process, advocating for respectful and collaborative interactions between teachers, parents, and caregivers.
As the LAUSD faces various challenges and opportunities, Griego’s responses reflect a commitment to transparency, accountability, and student-centered decision-making. Her perspectives on issues such as charter school accountability, homelessness, special education services, budget management, and Superintendent evaluation demonstrate a thoughtful and informed approach to addressing the needs of students and families in the District.