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Sherlett Hendy-Newbill
*UPDATED
While UTLA, the Los Angeles teachers union, has endorsed three candidates in next week’s District 1 school board race, one has emerged as first among equals.
Sherlett Hendy-Newbill has won the endorsement of the Network for Public Education, a public education advocacy group led by Diane Ravitch, one of the strongest voices in the country opposed to standardized testing and charter schools.
The group said it was endorsing Hendy-Newbill, an LA Unified high school teacher and basketball coach, because “of her commitment to high quality neighborhood schools.”
“She’s aligned with what we do,” said Robin Hiller, executive director of the Network. “She’s against privatization, and she has great views on testing and how it should be used. She’s a strong voice, and she’ll stand up tom people on the board.”
In endorsing Hendy-Newbill, Hattie McFrazier and Rachel Johnson, UTLA contributed the maximum, $1,100, to each of their campaigns — a gesture more symbolic than significant. By its even-handed approach, the union is demonstrating no unusual zeal for any of them.
All three are trailing in the money race, well behind the leader, Alex Johnson, who has raised more than $208,000. McFrazier has raised $16,428; Hendy-Newbill, $14,927; and Rachel Johnson, $9,650.
Ivano Newbill, Hendy-Newbill’s husband and unofficial campaign manager, said his wife is spending the final days of the campaign knocking on doors, handing out fliers and overseeing a phone bank— none of it with any official help from UTLA.
“We’re trying to get her message out that kids come first,” he said in an interview. “No corporations. No entities. Nothing of that nature. Kids, the community and teachers come first.”
Newbill said the campaign goal is to finish as one of the top two, then take her chances in the August runoff.
*Adds comment from Robin Hiller.