Maria Brenes / innercitystruggle.org

Running as an outsider to represent predominantly low income families living in the Eastside neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Maria Brenes is determined to change what it means to be an LAUSD school board member for District 2. 

Brenes, a Harvard University graduate and executive director of Inner City Struggle, said her work with the non-profit is proof she can do a better job at sparking change than her opponent Dr. Rocio Rivas, a research and policy deputy for a sitting LAUSD board member.  

 “I have a track record of getting things done for my community and tackling some of the biggest issues that have faced LAUSD,” Brenes told LA School Report, “helping initiate actual systemic change that has made LAUSD a more equitable and responsive district.”

Brenes discussed her plans to address the major challenges LAUSD faces including funding school police, mental health supports, enrollment decline and more in an interview with LA School Report: 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You’ve lived in District 2 for 20 years and you send your children to LAUSD schools. How are you, as a member of this community fit to represent it?

I have been a resident of the current boundaries of Board District 2 for over twenty years now…. My relationship with LAUSD is that of an outsider; being an advocate from the outside by pushing LAUSD to be more responsive and equitable to eastside communities…  Where I live education is a vehicle for upward mobility, for dismantling the school to prison pipeline, for interrupting and dismantling poverty…, Eastside students are mostly low income and many come from immigrant families…and its role as a safety net in our neighborhoods, that are facing so many challenges with housing instability.

With the recent L.A. City Hall scandal, it is evident that having people of color represent you in government does not guarantee equity to you as a constituent. What will you do to address the needs of ALL students, regardless of race and class?

I think the [what was said] in the audio leak is just shameful! I was angry, hurt and enraged, and ashamed because those were Latinx leaders that were representing our communities and the anti-Black, anti-Indigenous comments they made completely go against the values I stand for. Los Angeles is a multi-racial city and county and we have been fighting so hard to make progress and to build inclusive communities and inclusive schools. 

I had received the endorsement of Nury Martinez and Kevin de Leon prior to that day. The same day the article broke, I put out a statement denouncing, disassociating, and calling for their resignation. 

…I’m the only candidate that has this track record of building multiracial alliances…I’m out there picketing with my comrades, my multi racial allies, and my coalition, saying this is the moment for us to speak up and call for better policies and better representation. 

In an interview with LAist, you said “[LAUSD] ​​needs to continue to invest and redirect resources from surveillance and punishment to support holistic wraparound services” when asked about school police. What specific services do you have in mind? 

I’m the only candidate that has actually done anything in this race around dismantling the school to jail pipeline…First, the school to prison pipeline was an urgent issue for Inner City Struggle…, because we were the organization to uncover there were very high suspension rates in eastside schools compared to schools in more affluent areas, and it correlated with low graduation and low college going rates…. 

I’ve been at the table, helping formulate the Black Student Achievement Plan, which is now a hundred million dollars in investing in culturally relevant approaches, strategy, and social emotional learning in schools with a higher concentration of Black students. 

I’m the only candidate between the two of us that actually has a track record, has actually demonstrated solidarity with young people who have these harmful experiences, and have sometimes been told by some Board members that their truth does not matter. That’s very painful, and I will be a board member that validates, listens and takes their voices into account.

You have made many verbal commitments to students and families of LAUSD, but what about teachers? You were not endorsed by UTLA. What will you do to support teachers within the school district to keep them from leaving?

I have supported educators of LAUSD for many years. I hold them in such high esteem. LAUSD educators teach and nurture my own two children, so I’m very grateful for the work that educators do… especially in these times, with so many more challenges being exacerbated by the pandemic. I also support, and I think the public needs to support education workers as well. They’re an essential part of our school communities whether it’s an instructional aid, a teacher’s assistant, a special education assistant, a custodian, a cafeteria worker or a bus driver. They are often overlooked.

Well, I know you have the endorsements of non-educators, of labor unions, but not UTLA, LA’s largest teacher’s union. Can you tell me that you will grant the requests teachers are demanding, such as higher wages, reduced workloads and better work environments?

Yes and education workers as well. They’re valuable and their workforce is the majority. These are people of color who send their kids to LAUSD and they need stronger benefits. I am an ally to both and I do have support from LAUSD educators. You’re welcome to look at my website to see the list. These are relationships I have cultivated over the years through my work in the community. 

Enrollment decline is an urgent issue for LAUSD at the moment and you’ve said you wanted to mitigate this by focusing on middle schools. How exactly will you revamp middle schools? What are some examples of this? 

In terms of middle school, I have found that some families that I have met…are looking for more personalized environments, more stem academies, magnets, pilot school, and small learning communities. Middle school is such a critical time in the social emotional development of our students and investing more creates more options and more personalized learning. The environment, I think, is important, for District 2. One of the gaps I see is there is not enough access to K-8 models. That was something I was in search of for my own child as he entered seventh grade.

…We urgently need a state of emergency when it comes to enrollment in attendance. So many of our families were affected by COVID-19. So many families are facing issues of being on the brink of homelessness… They have not returned, and for some of our youngest, that’s where we’re seeing the greatest challenges with enrollment in attendance. So the two to me are interlinked: chronic absenteeism and enrollment. I want to declare a state of emergency for Board District 2 so that the superintendent deploys resources accordingly. 

Both Dr. Rivas and yourself agree that mental health issues in the district are important. What are your plans to address mental health?

I’m the only candidate that has a track record of doing work as it relates to mental health services. I’m proud to have pushed LAUSD to make a $50 million commitment to build 24 new wellness centers in some of our highest need schools throughout. We conducted a survey in Boyle Heights and East LA and found that depression and anxiety were issues of high importance to students. Using that student voice, we decided to push for the construction of these wellness centers. These locations are to provide comprehensive services, including mental health, dental services, primary care and reproductive services. That’s the model we need and it’s going to be accessible to students and the community.

The LA Times and La Opinion endorsed you, but UTLA did not. Why do you think UTLA endorsed Dr. Rivas over yourself? Why are you more qualified than Dr. Rivas? Why isn’t Dr. Rivas qualified? 

I am more qualified than Dr. Rocio Rivas because I have a track record of getting things done for my community and tackling some of the biggest issues that have faced LAUSD…helping initiate actual systemic change that has made LAUSD a more equitable and responsive district. That’s a big part of why in East LA we have seen better outcomes, higher graduation rates, and higher college going rates. 

Dr. Rocio Rivas does not have a track record of influencing systemic change for communities in Board District 2. She does not. I have an education. I went to UC Berkeley, I went to Harvard and got my masters in education. But that is only meaningful if I give back to my community… 

If elected, do you see your position on the LAUSD as a continuation of your work at Inner City Struggle, or will you take it as a new initiative, a new chapter in your dedication to serve East LA and the surrounding communities?

I have been an organizer since I was 17 years old. At that time, there was a strong anti-immigrant sentiment in California. Our communities were criminalized, our families were criminalized. I’m so proud to have been part of a generation that rejected criminalization and othering, and said, ‘No, this is our state. Our families have helped build this state, and we have a stake in it, and we’re going to reclaim it.’

This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism.

Bryan Sarabia is a junior at the University of Southern California, originally from Houston, Texas. He is majoring in journalism and Spanish.

Rocio Rivas

As two LAUSD school board races headed to runoffs in Tuesday’s election, LA School Report interviewed the four candidates vying for the seats. Here is an interview with Rocio Rivas, who is running to represent school district 2 against Maria Brenes:

An established LAUSD employee and parent who is running for LA Unified school board to represent predominantly low income families from the city’s Eastside communities, Rocio Rivas intends to tackle issues the district faces using her experience as an education researcher and parent.

A parent advocate and education expert, the Berkeley and Columbia University alum is relying on her experience working for current school board member Jackie Goldberg and her leadership on neighborhood councils to guide her. 

“I know all of our schools and what is happening inside of them….I also know the roles and responsibilities of a board member because I have been working with one,” Rivas told LA School Report. “I will bring that professional experience of policy work, resolutions and breaking bureaucracy.”

Rivas said knowing those roles and responsibilities is what makes her more qualified to represent school district 2 than her opponent Maria Brenes, director of the non profit Inner City Struggle. 

In an interview with LA School Report, Rivas shared her plans for the predominantly low income communities of eastside Los Angeles on issues of enrollment decline, mental health, school policing and more: 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is your relationship with LAUSD, specifically Board District 2, the area you intend to represent?

I was a student in LAUSD. I loved my education here and I had a great time. It was here that I fell in love with school and education. I went on to go to school at Berkeley and Columbia to Teacher’s College to better understand education and I came back because my purpose was always to work for the district… I worked with LAUSD doing research and program evaluation, until I decided to become a full time mom. When my son got into school, I became a parent volunteer… I became involved with schools in Board District 2 and got to know the needs of the community. 

Even after that, I wanted to help even more, so I ran for Board District 5. I ran because it was something I wanted to do. Needless to say, I didn’t win; Jackie Goldberg won. I mean, who’s gonna win against Jackie Goldberg?! Afterward, I got to know Jackie, and we hit it off. She hired me as her research and policy deputy, and that became my current connection with the district.

You’ve called yourself a parent advocate. What does that mean and how do you intend to put that into practice?

Parent advocacy is standing up for parent rights and our voices. When I first sent my son to elementary school, I felt a lot of parent voices were suppressed. We have a right to participate in our school, so I became the chair of the School Site Council and I started to hear that parents were not being heard, like the district was pushing them aside. 

So I connected with other parents and I did workshops based on our conversations. I did one on growth mindset, on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, on parent-teacher conferences and other issues.

I see parent advocacy as holding town halls, having parent engagement committees meet on Saturdays or later on weekdays when parents can attend and other changes to make everything more accessible to parents. We have to work on improving communication between parents and the school board.

With the recent L.A. City Hall scandal, it is evident that having people of color in government does not lead to equity among its constituents of color. In other words, that representation does not free citizens from oppression. What will you do to address the needs of ALL children, regardless of race and class?

I completely agree with your statement. As Latinos, as Hispanics, we wanted representatives to meet our needs, but we also know that there’s so many others that need to be served. 

I am all for intercultural understanding. That was my focus in school: comparative and international education. We need to celebrate multiculturalism in our schools. We need to have those conversations about our internal biases and talk to our representatives about their biases as well, to keep everybody accountable. In District 2 we have Japanese students, Jewish students, Armenian students and more. 

To hear that from our LA City Council representatives hurts our souls and to combat this, we need to start in our schools. I think we need to really expand the opportunities for our students to go beyond our borders and consider expanding ways for our students to study abroad. 

When asked about police in schools, in an interview with LAist you said: “I am pretty much against all police in our schools. … For the district to be spending funds that should be going to our students and using it for law enforcement, I think that’s just going backwards.” What are some things you are planning on implementing to replace policing in LAUSD schools?

There will be police, they just won’t be inside the schools, but rather outside. I think we do need to maintain safety. There was a stabbing at Marshall High School not too long ago, there’s drugs that our students are being exposed to… inside of our schools, what I really want to bring to focus on is how we’re implementing restorative justice…

There was a student in LAUSD who brought a gun to school. He said he loved his school, but the gun was to protect himself after school: he did not feel safe leaving campus. There’s fear when our children are leaving school, so we need to think about initiatives to change this, such as implementing after school programs… 

You’ve got an endorsement from UTLA, LA’s largest teacher’s union. Why are you qualified enough to receive their endorsement? What is your commitment to teachers in LAUSD? 

Growing up, teachers were my best friends and school was my second home. I consider teaching an honorable profession. I will always fight for teachers, especially right now as they’re against the deprofessionalization of their profession. Like in any profession, not all teachers are the same, they’re all different, but we have to provide support and have those infrastructures where we can deal with the issues they face.

Having the endorsement of the Teachers Union is, for me, the solidification that they have trusted me. When I’m in the classroom and they talk to me about scaffolding or backwards planning, I know exactly what they’re talking about, because I’ve learned about that. I know pedagogy.

Enrollment decline is an urgent issue for LAUSD at the moment. How will you help address this?

We need to expand programs such as dual language immersion and schools with advanced studies. Schools like Bravo Medical Magnet have long waiting lists. In communities like Glendale and Alhambra, parents are requesting dual language programs. We need to not only expand these enrichment programs, but also market them to our parents to increase enrollment.

Both Maria Brenes and yourself agree that mental health issues in the district are important, specifically the need for greener spaces on campuses usually covered in asphalt. How do you intend to make this happen? Do you have other plans to address mental health?

Greening our schools is something we need to focus on. The district is going to have a new office on climate resiliency and it will focus on this. I will be very active in that office because there’s so many schools in Board District 2 that deserve shade and gardens.

On a different note, the pandemic really changed our students. They were affected from isolation and disconnection from their friends. When schools reopened there was no motivation, there was depression, anxiety and stress. We need full time psychiatric help in each of our campuses, not just one psychiatric social worker (PSW) that has to go to three schools at once and have high caseloads.

Brenes said she is more qualified than you to serve because she lives and works in District 2. She said she has done more for District 2 than you and that she has a “proven track record” when it comes to serving this community. Brenes said this community asked her to step up and serve. What do you have to say to that?

I was also asked to run. I was. I didn’t just say I’m gonna run, I was asked to run as well, and I was asked to step up for our schools. That’s why I ran.

Who asked you to run?

Teachers, community members, people that are supporting me now that have endorsed me. They asked me to run, and so I feel like I couldn’t say no. I mean when the community is asking you to run, and they believe in you, you have to do it.

She says she knows Board District 2, but I know all of our schools and what is happening inside of them. I am an Angeleno. I know Boyle Heights and Highland Park. I also know Koreatown and Pico Union because these are my communities. I also know the roles and responsibilities of a board member because I have been working with one. I will bring that professional experience of policy work, resolutions and breaking bureaucracy … [Brenes] has pushed from the outside. I’ve been working from the outside and the inside, so I know how to organize.

I’ve been doing the research. I was out there in our communities during the pandemic, making sure everyone had hotspots and computers. These are not things that I brag about, but they’re things I’ve done and I’m very proud of… I’m not part of the political establishment;  I don’t have political aspirations. I’m here just solely for education. I’m not here to use our communities and our schools for my own aggrandizement. I’m here to fight for our communities, our schools and our teachers.

This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism.

Bryan Sarabia is a junior at the University of Southern California, originally from Houston, Texas. He is majoring in journalism and Spanish.

Marvin A. Rodríguez

Long-time teacher Marvin Rodríguez hopes to apply his classroom experience to a spot on the LAUSD school board where he is on the ballot to represent Board District 6.

In the June primary, Rodríguez tallied 31% of the votes, holding incumbent Kelly Gonez back from reaching a 50% threshold that would have positioned her to win outright. Rodríguez has no known endorsements or past experience on the board, but is a member of the Los Angeles teacher’s union and said his understanding of student needs equips him for the position.

“What I want my students to see, my teachers to see, and the parents to see, is that the person who’s there representing them is one of them. It’s a parent, it’s a teacher, and it’s also a person who was a student at LAUSD for 12 plus years,” Rodríguez told LA School Report.

“That’s what I want my communities to understand, that the person who’s representing them is doing so and with courage, honesty, but with a lot of commitment and transparency.”

In an interview with LA School Report, Rodríguez set out a vision for LA Unified without charters, and includes more community schools with wraparound services, increased parent collaboration and more attention to each student.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why should people vote for you instead of Kelly Gonez, who has had prior experience on the board?

I’ve been teaching for 18 years and I understand what the needs of my students are. I see them every day. I think you’re better equipped at making those decisions when you have a clear understanding of what the needs of our students are … we have to be better at going into our communities and sharing those experiences, because that is how you become more empathetic and more compassionate…” 

When looking at Gonez’s platform, is there anything that seems like a big difference between your vision and her vision?

My main focus is the delivery … I think the big difference between me and her is that I want to engage parents. I look forward to talking to parents, to engaging parents at parent centers and revamping those so that we give our parents access to us. I’m only one person, I love to represent my communities, but I don’t have all the answers and I don’t have all the solutions.

What I look for is to talk to the members of the community, talk to parents, to make sure they share their ideas and they share their concerns and together we can come up with solutions …

You’ve spoken a lot about wanting all schools to fit the community schools model. What are the steps to get there?

My vision is every school becomes a community school model.…the community schools model provides those wraparound resources for our most vulnerable communities, especially students and their families.

We can’t expect our children to be academically successful and perform for us if we haven’t given them all those wraparound resources, if we haven’t given them mental health services, health services, all the support that our children and their families need. 

Do you see any unique challenges for students in District 6, and how would you tackle those challenges?

I think the issues with LAUSD are universal. [Many] of our students are considered low-income, but in District 6 we have a little more of that … Historically, some of these schools have struggled academically and have struggled to deliver for our children meaningful learning opportunities. And that’s why you see in our communities, a lot of charter schools come up, because what charter schools are trying to do is fill that void that our neighborhood schools are failing to provide for our children.

 So one of the things I see in our district is a little more charter incursion, so the way we tackle that is to make sure we protect our neighborhood schools by delivering those resources and the funding to them so they, in turn, can provide the services that parents and students are hungry for.

In my mind, the best educational opportunity for our students has to be in their neighborhood schools. And we do that also by holding charter schools accountable … If charter schools are not performing, we have to make sure that we look into that at the board level and if we must deny charters, we will do so … If they want to come into our communities, we have to have community input. But my vision for the district is we get to a place where our communities are not asking for outside resources or funding to come in. 

So reading between the lines there, in your vision we ideally would not need charter schools?

Yes. Make it harder for charters to want to come into our community, because charters are not meant to support or bring extra resources into our communities, they’re built for one purpose – they’re built to compete with our neighborhood schools. When you’re competing with schools who already lack resources and funding, you’re starving them even more. 

Of course there are many overarching problems contributing to dropping enrollment, but in terms of keeping students in LAUSD or from moving to different schools, what do you see as the solution?

What we have control over is how we deliver meaningful learning opportunities for our children and their families. Again, I go back to that community school model. We have to create that for our students, but I also feel that we need to create for our students, culturally and racially responsive curriculum.

We have to revamp parents centers, make sure parents are back in schools and they want to be part of the school community. 

And we need buy-in from parents and buy-in from students. And I think that’s one of the things that we are lacking in education today. Our students are not buying into the education we’re selling them. I think our education is riddled with too much competition where you either hurry up or stay behind.

That reminds me of your comments about fostering a wholesome student who is confident and empowered to strive for growth. In terms of creating that empowerment and adding more meaning to education, how do you see yourself being able to create this change within District 6?

…we need to provide our students with smaller classroom sizes … it’s easier for teachers to reach [students] when they dedicate more time to them. 

When you’re dedicating more time to a child, that child feels special, feels valued, feels important… We also need to provide training for our support staff… as to how to approach young people.

This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism.

Cari Spencer is a senior at the University of Southern California, originally from the suburbs of Minneapolis. She is studying journalism and sociology.

LAUSD school board president Kelly Gonez (kellygonez.com)

Backed by both United Teachers Los Angeles and charter advocates, LAUSD school board president Kelly Gonez is on the ballot again — but after tallying just under half of the primary votes last June, Tuesday’s runoff election will determine if she gets to keep her post. 

Gonez has represented the East San Fernando Valley as the L.A. Unified Board District 6 member since 2017. She has served as president since December 2020, taking on the position as the pandemic was beginning. Previously, Gonez taught geometry at an LAUSD high school and served as an education policy advisor during the Obama administration.

Gonez said she hopes to build on past initiatives, such as expanding early education programs and school choice, and will draw on her knowledge of the district and policy expertise to fight for mental health services, better learning opportunities and support for L.A. Unified staff.

“I think for voters it is really about the readiness and leadership capacity to do this work at an important time where our students and schools have overwhelming needs because of the impacts of the pandemic,” Gonez told LA School Report. “And I think that that choice is quite clear.”

In an interview, Gonez discussed her accomplishments in leading the district and future plans for helping students recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Marvin Rodríguez, your opponent, is an LAUSD teacher of 17 years, whose campaign is tied to his close connection to LAUSD. How have you found ways to directly engage with people and how would you plan to continue doing so?

This campaign is really focused on the work that I’ve done over the last five years. And I think in terms of experience, there really is no comparison. I have experience as a classroom teacher, so I know the issues firsthand… 

I have deep knowledge of every school in my district … [of the] 125 schools that I represent where I have spent a lot of time in conversation with principals, and teachers and parents and students to learn about the diverse issues that every school faces…I’m [also] a parent of an LAUSD student myself – the only one on the board. 

Do you see any unique challenges for students in District 6 specifically, and how have you tackled/would you plan to tackle those challenges?

There are long standing inequities that impact the East San Fernando Valley. When you look at access to some of the most in-demand and highest quality programming the school district offers, those options just have not been present in Board District 6 in many cases … so I’ve worked really hard… to make sure those opportunities are available to our families and they don’t have to leave their neighborhoods to be able to access them. 

Throughout my time on the board, I have tripled the number of dual language programs that exist in Board District 6, as well as greatly expanded the number of magnet programs, including creating some new and innovative magnet programs that didn’t exist in our community beforehand.

The other piece that I want to highlight is that economic inequality deeply impacts our school communities and our families in Board District 6. When you think about an issue like access to affordable housing, we know that the San Fernando Valley has had some of the highest rates of homelessness among our students compared to the rest of the school district. 

This is why I have been such a proponent of our community schools and having wraparound services at our school campuses, because it’s not enough to just focus on academic instruction. Our families are reliant on our schools for a lot of other areas. And we really have to work hard… and make sure…nutrition and health and mental health and housing … are addressed.

That’s been an area and I have a bunch of work I’ve done in that space. I would specifically note my work around utilizing LAUSD underutilized or vacant properties to build housing and my resolution around expanding services and supports for students and families who are unhoused. That is born directly from my knowledge of what families are experiencing in Board District 6 and the acuteness of that challenge here in my district.

You mentioned the community schools model, which is something Rodriguez is advocating for. Is that something you’re also prioritizing? 

I think the point of comparison here is words versus actions … there’s a number of community schools in Board District 6, which I’m very familiar with and I’ve helped support. I also wrote a resolution, which passed the Board unanimously in June 2021, to actually expand and fortify the community school model, to make sure we have the necessary supports…and to set aside additional funding to continue to grow and support the community schools in LA Unified … I want to see more community schools all throughout the district, but it takes funding and infrastructure to make sure that we can do so successfully and that’s work that I have directly done during my time on the Board.

Of course, if re-elected, you are continuing work that you’ve already been doing, but if re-elected do you have any new first day priorities or shifts in what you envision yourself tackling with the upcoming tenure?

Equity and bringing more funding to my schools in the East San Fernando Valley will always continue to be a priority, but I do think the pandemic and its impacts on students has made me be reflective and think about what areas might we need to prioritize that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Priority number one for me is really creating transformative learning opportunities for our students. So really expanding our arts, music, stem and career pathways programs.

The second priority … is really supporting the whole family and especially the mental health and health needs of our students, families and staff … There’s a lot of work to be done to make sure that our students who most need it can access the services both preventatively but also when they are in crisis.

The last piece I would highlight is really focused on our workforce and supporting our educators. And by that I don’t just mean classroom teachers but all of the staff within LA Unified …I have a lot of concern about levels of burnout among our staff and the ways in which our staff have been impacted by the pandemic, so I am really focused on supporting our workforce.

This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism. 

Cari Spencer is a senior at the University of Southern California, originally from the suburbs of Minneapolis. She is studying journalism and sociology.   

Today we present “Meet the LAUSD School Board Candidates,” profiles of the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member Los Angeles school board in the June 7 primary. If elected, candidates for LAUSD school board —  representing the largest school district in the country with an elected board — will confront complex issues ranging from pandemic recovery to school equity to targeting chronic absenteeism. On May 25, 26, and 27, candidates will participate in an online forum where they can share their views on the major issues.

You can read all of the profiles here

District 2 

Maria Brenes

Background/profession: Education advocate, LAUSD parent and executive director of InnerCity Struggle

Why are you running?

For 20 years I have been a strong voice and advocate for educational justice and re-imagining public education to be equitable for all LAUSD students…, Historically, students of color have been academically left behind, criminalized and public schools have been severely under-resourced. Families of color have high hopes and high expectations for their children and public education can play an essential role in empowering them to reach their fullest potential… My goal would be to develop policy and an LAUSD budget rooted in racial justice… I want to… strengthen traditional neighborhood schools to be hubs of academic excellence…in highest need communities.

Read more about Maria Brenes.

Rocio Rivas

Background/profession: Research and Policy Deputy, LAUSD School Board, BD5

Why are you running?

I am running… because I am a public education leader, professional, advocate and parent with a Ph.D. in education. I am deeply passionate about public education and have worked… to serve the… public good. I received the best educational experience as an LAUSD student and as a mom to a student thriving in LAUSD schools, I want the same for ALL students…As the only LAUSD active parent on the board I (want to) … to address all the needs of LAUSD students…(with) schools… fully staffed with full time counselors, psychiatric social workers, librarians, nurses, supervising aides, and paraprofessionals.

Read more about Rocio Rivas.

Miguel Angel Segura 

Background/profession: Public School Teacher, Organizer, Elected Official Staffer, National Advance Staff

Why are you running?

I am running because I AM Board District 2 (BD2). I was born, raised, and living in BD2. I attended Union Elementary School, Virgil Middle School, and Belmont High School … I am a product of BD2. I have been a student of LAUSD, a board member staffer for LAUSD, and currently, a teacher for the district. I know every angle of education at LAUSD … , that is best … Once I have the privilege to serve as the BD2 member, it will be an honor … to represent each neighborhood and community, rather than being a “job” … My collaborative approach to work with … members will enhance the successes set out for BD2, as we all can leverage each other’s successes and learn lessons for better outcomes. Better outcomes in BD2 are my reasons for running.

Read more about Miguel Angel Segura.

Erica Vilardi Espinosa

Background/profession: Community Organizer/Accountant

Why are you running? 

Education is the basis of everything. I believe schools are the center of the community and provide not just education but also, friends, mentors, social structure, nutrition, and a safe environment… In a country like The US, everyone should be able to receive a fair and equitable public education… I want to make sure all LAUSD schools are doing everything possible to ensure our children are prepared for the future.

Read more about Erica Vilardi Espinosa

Miho Murai (write-in candidate)

Background/Profession: Education rights/immigration attorney, educator, activist

Why are you running? I am running for school board because I know I can be a powerful voice for low-income, English language learners, students with disabilities, students in the foster care and juvenile justice system, students who are unhoused, and the Asian Pacific American community. Since 2009, I have had my own pro bono/low bono law firm and have been representing low-income students with disabilities… to ensure children are provided with a free and appropriate public education… I understand what many of our students go through…as I am a proud product of public education and initially struggled academically due to my lack of knowledge of the English language and my mom’s inability to advocate for my needs…

Read more about Miho Murai

District 4 

Gentille Barkhordar

Background/profession: Electrical Engineer/Mother

Why are you running? 

I am a parent of two LAUSD elementary students. I am concerned for our children’s well-being, the mental health crisis and learning loss.…Feeling helpless among many thousands of parents made me want to run for school board. Our children have suffered a great deal of social isolation and with little advocacy. Not a single member of the school board is a parent of a school aged child. I am running to give parents a seat at the negotiating table so that when important decisions are made about our children’s futures they are made with parent input.

Read more about Gentille Barkhordar

Nick Melvoin

Background/profession: Educator/LAUSD School Boardmember 

Why are you running?

I’m running to continue the work I started with parents, students, and educators when I took my oath 5 years ago…. with the added challenge of a… pandemic that forced kids and teachers from the classroom…I’m proud to have helped recruit Superintendent Alberto Carvalho…The confluence of a new, dynamic superintendent and the COVID-19 pandemic entering an “endemic” phase presents the district with an incredible opportunity to double down on our pledge of providing an excellent school district to every student and family regardless of their zip code.

Read more about Nick Melvoin

Tracey Schroeder

Background/profession: LAUSD teacher

Why are you running? 

I am running to help guide our district through an Academic Crisis that this district has ever seen. I am a boots on the ground, front-line, eyes-on-student-needs-educator… I have dedicated the past 24 years of my life in service to the students and families of Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher….”

Read more about Tracey Schroeder

District 6 

Jess Arana

Background/profession: Public Service – Police Sergeant/Educator

Why are you running?

I am running on a student first platform and to give a voice back to parents and the community. Although we can never truly remove politics from education, decisions need to be made from the standpoint on what is best for students, parents, and the community. The interest of outside organizations with political agendas should not weigh more than student achievement and community concerns.

Read more about Jess Arana

Kelly Gonez

Background/profession: LAUSD School Board President, BD6

Why are you running?

I joined the LAUSD Board of Education because I know there is more that we as a community can and must do so that every child in LAUSD receives an excellent public education…. I believe that our schools have benefited tremendously from having a representative with classroom experience, and I have a strong record of delivering for our community and building a progressive policy agenda… I have spent the past five years working tirelessly as a fierce advocate for our students, staff, and families and collaborating to solve challenges… and strengthen our public schools.

Read more about Kelly Gonez

Marvin A. Rodriguez

Background/profession: LAUSD Spanish Teacher/Parent and Veteran

Why are you running? 

I am running for school board because I believe in public education and the important role it plays in uplifting communities… I am committed to a new vision for our public schools. I believe in the power of community in our schools. I look to build communities of resources, support, and hope for our students… because when our students feel they belong to a community, they are inspired to engage and make positive contributions to it.

Read more about Kelly Gonez

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Tracey Schroeder

District: 4

Background/profession: LAUSD teacher

Why are you running? 

I am running to help guide our district through an Academic Crisis that this district has ever seen. I am a boots on the ground, front-line, eyes-on-student-needs-educator… I have dedicated the past 24 years of my life in service to the students and families of Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher….”

How are you different from other candidates? 

I know what LAUSD needs to do to get kids back on track and it starts with reading.

What’s the most important issue in your district? 

LAUSD needs to prioritize reading and activate our best practices…LAUSD has students who have never set foot in a classroom, who may or may not return in the fall. This is a learning emergency… 

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority? 

We need to financially incentivize our highly-qualified teachers to stay with LAUSD…. brand-new freshly-hired teachers need a lot of support. Add to that the severe learning deficits, the emotional issues, behavioral issues, testing season and report cards. We need all hands on deck to help stabilize our teaching staff. 

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

I am a UCLA Communication Studies graduate with a masters degree in psychology. I am a BRAVO Award/Music Center finalist for integrating the arts within subject areas.. I’ve taught every grade, K-3… I’ve helped students with special needs get just the right support.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

I have seen a lot of good over the years as well as an amazing amount of waste…Parents deserve a voice in their child’s education. Students deserve to attend stable schools where they learn to read and apply their skills. Taxpayers deserve to know that these future adults are getting a productive education. Teachers deserve support to help kids do their best work, and need to be able to trust their contract, and the decisions made between the union and school board…. The current school board lacks the classroom experience to know where or how to get started.

• Read all the candidate profiles here.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

Rebecca Katz is a recent graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a Los Angeles native with a Masters in Journalism and a Bachelors in English and Political Science. She is passionate about mental health and education reform.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Miho Murai (write-in candidate)

District: 2

Background/Profession: Education rights/immigration attorney, educator, activist 

Why are you running? I am running for school board because I know I can be a powerful voice for low-income, English language learners, students with disabilities, students in the foster care and juvenile justice system, students who are unhoused, and the Asian Pacific American community. Since 2009, I have had my own pro bono/low bono law firm and have been representing low-income students with disabilities… to ensure children are provided with a free and appropriate public education… I understand what many of our students go through…as I am a proud product of public education and initially struggled academically due to my lack of knowledge of the English language and my mom’s inability to advocate for my needs…

How are you different from other candidates? I am the first Asian Pacific American woman to ever run for school board in LD 2. I have four years of classroom experience as a former LAUSD bilingual elementary teacher. I am earning a graduate certificate as an educational therapist to serve low-income, English language learners with dyslexia and ADHD. I am…the Executive Director of Community Lawyers, Inc…I know the struggles our students and families have undergone as a result of COVID-19… I have been an activist since the 1990s on immigration and education issues and have lived in LD 2 as a renter for over 15 years.  

What’s the most important issue in your district? The most important issue in Local District 2 right now is the negative impact that COVID-19… Students are still traumatized and many students have fallen academically behind…We need to reduce the class size to 20:1 from K to 5th grade and we need to increase the number of school psychologists and college counselors at every high school. Finally, we should increase the number of schools participating in the community school model. 

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority? Superintendent Carvalho’s top three priorities should be proactively addressing the declining enrollment, ensuring all schools are fully staffed, and maximizing the funding the district has received in response to the pandemic. LAUSD needs to increase the number of dual immersion and magnet programs as many families are leaving… in search of these types of programs. We also need to provide more incentives for teachers and staff to stay in the district.  

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? Having been a bilingual elementary teacher in South L.A…. (has) prepared me to serve as a board member. I know firsthand the challenges that exist as a new teacher working in an underserved community. In addition, since 2008, I have been an educational rights/immigration attorney… I am currently the executive director of a non-profit in Compton. I regularly attend LAUSD school board meetings, and I am currently on the Executive Committee of the Community Advisory Committee, where I advise the school board on special education issues. Finally, I am very active in my community, serving as the At Large Board Representative for the Historic Cultural North Neighborhood Council and the Chair of the Schools and Libraries Committee. I am also the Membership Coordinator and Treasurer for the California Association for Parent-Child Advocacy, a state-wide volunteer organization.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

My top five priorities include (1) Reduce class size to 20:1 from K to 5th grade; (2) Ensure 100% of students graduate with the tools to succeed in the workplace and in higher education; (3) Decrease the number of high school and middle school drop-outs and ensure effective interventions are in place before these children become disengaged from school; (4) Proactively address the school to prison pipeline by increasing the number of school psychologists and college counselors at every high school and ensuring that every school is implementing the School Climate Bill of Rights; and most importantly (5) Listen to our students and ensure that the curriculum is student-centered and culturally relevant. 

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

Rebecca Katz is a recent graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a Los Angeles native with a Masters in Journalism and a Bachelors in English and Political Science. She is passionate about mental health and education reform.

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This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Gentille Barkhordar

District: 4

Background/profession: Electrical Engineer/Mother

Why are you running? 

I am a parent of two LAUSD elementary students. I am concerned for our children’s well-being, the mental health crisis and learning loss.…Feeling helpless among many thousands of parents made me want to run for school board. Our children have suffered a great deal of social isolation and with little advocacy. Not a single member of the school board is a parent of a school aged child. I am running to give parents a seat at the negotiating table so that when important decisions are made about our children’s futures they are made with parent input.

How are you different from other candidates? 

I have two students in my local school, Warner Avenue Elementary. I have a vested interest in advocating for children and families. I receive no funding from special interest groups. I also have no affiliation with the teacher union that is represented as a stakeholder. I will be representing the children of the district. I have no political motivations for higher office. I am simply a mom who wants to get personally involved in making decisions for the future of our children.

What’s the most important issue in your district? 

The board and Superintendent Carvalho must regain control of our district. Our board has largely let UTLA manage decisions for our district. My goal is to work with the Superintendent and the board to regain control of decision making. The mental health crisis and learning loss… are symptoms of a more serious issue: Who is behind the decisions that are being made regarding our children and are the students’ best interest aligned with the decision makers? Studies have shown that children made little to no progress during virtual learning, especially in disadvantaged homes. Yet, our teachers unions lobbied and achieved one of the longest school closures in the world.

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority? 

Superintendent Carvalho must determine the effectiveness of our spending to help address the learning loss that resulted from one of the longest school closures in the world…The impact is deep and still untold. We must get creative in how we address this. There are staffing shortages and we cannot depend on our own employees. We must look outside to accomplished tutoring and instruction organizations. The district was given $5 billion dollars to combat the learning loss and currently is not spending that quickly enough on instruction. The majority of that money is going toward COVID testing and masking.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

In addition to being a parent who has experienced first hand the challenges of raising children during the pandemic, my background and education prepare me for this role. My family fled an oppressive and dangerous regime. I came here without speaking a word of English and with parents that had never graduated high school. I worked hard, had great teachers and role models and was able to get an excellent education. It gave me strong faith in the value and promise of quality education…. I speak English, Spanish, Farsi and French. I have a degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and an M.B.A. in Finance from USC. I began my professional career as an Electrical Engineer. Eventually I settled in California as an IBM consultant.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD? 

…I will work with the superintendent and board to address the mental health crisis among our students, with input from parents, teachers and school administrators. In academics, we need to attract and retain students which means keeping challenging courses and providing advanced level courses. The access to classes like these should not be reserved for students in expensive private schools. For students that are not passing, we need to use resources… in efficient ways to help raise them up. We need to involve parents and support children with learning differences with robust resources such as teachers assistants and appropriate services. I plan to strengthen teacher training with a strong evaluation process… I would work to incentivize employees based on performance. I will strive to make campuses safe…by maintaining our campus officers.

• Read all the candidate profiles here.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

Rebecca Katz is a recent graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a Los Angeles native with a Masters in Journalism and a Bachelors in English and Political Science. She is passionate about mental health and education reform.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Jess Arana

District: 6

Background/profession: Public Service – Police Sergeant/Educator 

Website: jesus-arana.com

Why are you running?

I am running on a student first platform and to give a voice back to parents and the community. Although we can never truly remove politics from education, decisions need to be made from the standpoint on what is best for students, parents, and the community. The interest of outside organizations with political agendas should not weigh more than student achievement and community concerns.

How are you different from other candidates?

I grew up in the trenches of my community and truly understand the plight of the children in LAUSD. Growing up in Pacoima as a poor Mexican boy to a single teenage mother of three, I know what it’s like to depend on LAUSD as my primary source of meals and childcare. My campaign for school board is genuinely a grassroots movement. I am a college graduate with a master’s degree and a proud US Army Veteran. I am a parent of four LAUSD students… I have been an employee of LAUSD for 24 years and I have been a volunteer mentor/coach with the district for over 27 years.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

Returning to a sense of normalcy… The pandemic has hit the nation hard and those most vulnerable, our socioeconomically challenged children, have been hit the hardest. Studies have shown that academics are down student-wide while mental health issues and suicide risks have increased… These issues have been exacerbated by the current political wave of pitting everyone against one another and painting people as far-left or far-right. It’s a good scare tactic for certain politicians but in the end, it impedes progress.

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

Declining enrollment across the district is occurring at an alarming rate… we have to take a customer service approach and give the public what it wants. Why can’t our students graduate with certificates in trades like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical? We have to place value in education by teaching our students actual skills and providing them with training where they can graduate and get a job. We have to create meaningful afterschool programs so parents will want their students involved.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member?

It’s time we break the curse that has been plaguing our socioeconomically challenged children for generations. We need experienced and bold leaders who are not afraid to be the voice of students, parents, and employees. In addition to serving my country in the US Army, I possess a Master’s degree in Public Administration with an Emphasis in Leadership. As a 24 year employee of LAUSD, I understand the politics and bureaucracy of the district. I have had to navigate through the various departments and personnel within the district as both an employee and coach. As a kid, I grew up in LAUSD schools and experienced gangs, drug dealing, riots, and social injustices. As a parent of four LAUSD children, I have experienced the entire k-12 system, including; special education, fear for safety of my kids, and frustration in the quality of education my kids were receiving in the Northeast Valley. I fully understand the systemic problems that have kept our schools from reaching their true potential. Finally, I have served on the board of two successful community oriented non-profit organizations whose mission was youth intervention.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

When parents drop off their kids at school, their biggest concern is that their kids are going to be safe. The incident rate for violence in 2021 within LAUSD is up 21 percent from 2018. This means 1 in 131 people within LAUSD will be a victim of violence. I plan to decrease school violence by reforming campus security. According to research, 1 in 5 minority children actually graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. This means that 4 out of 5 actually go into the workplace with no degree. I plan on revamping the education system from not only focusing on college readiness but on preparing children for career pathways… It takes a village to raise a child. I plan on giving parents and our community a voice in education… I plan on tackling community issues on equity, safety, and the quality of education. Teachers are the district’s greatest asset and they have taken a back burner to COVID and other pandemic issues. I plan on empowering teachers by giving them more control over school budget, giving them more access to technology, increasing their pay, and allowing them to be more imaginative in the classroom.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

Rebecca Katz is a recent graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism Masters Program and a Los Angeles native. She received her bachelors in English literature and political science from USC. She is passionate about mental health and education reform. 

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity.

Name: Rocio Rivas

District: 2

Background/profession: Research and Policy Deputy, LAUSD School Board, BD5

Why are you running?

I am running… because I am a public education leader, professional, advocate and parent with a Ph.D. in education. I am deeply passionate about public education and have worked… to serve the… public good. I received the best educational experience as an LAUSD student and as a mom to a student thriving in LAUSD schools, I want the same for ALL students…As the only LAUSD active parent on the board I (want to) … to address all the needs of LAUSD students…(with) schools… fully staffed with full time counselors, psychiatric social workers, librarians, nurses, supervising aides, and paraprofessionals.

How are you different from other candidates?

I understand the complexities of Los Angeles’ public education landscape. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience with the privatization of education and charter schools…I have direct knowledge of the current needs and predicaments of local public schools by serving LAUSD’s Board District 5…I am actively working on problem-solving, policy analysis and development to improve district wide policy, advocating… connecting resources and establishing partnerships and coalitions.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

The current pandemic traumatized students to concerning levels that are becoming evident in classrooms in many schools throughout the BD2. Our public schools need qualified psychiatric social workers and mental health resources to address this trauma…I fully support the expansion of the community school model…(to address) the holistic needs of BD2… through authentic community involvement…green space, which includes gardens, trees and grass, is linked to children’s healthy physical and cognitive development… the necessity to address the lack of green space equity in BD2 our schools is essential…

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

Superintendent Carvalho is taking all the necessary actions to gather the data that will come from listening to all stakeholders… He is undergoing the important district wide institutional assessments and analysis that will guide his comprehensive action plan. I am looking forward to learning more about his detailed plans to address declining enrollment, teacher and essential school staff shortages, and classroom enrichment innovations. I am very glad he is instituting a parent acAdemy, strategic data and evaluation branch and the cultural enrichment passport.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

I am currently the Research and Policy Deputy for Board Member Jackie Goldberg and serve as liaison to over 60 schools within BD5…. I understand LAUSD and public schools from various perspectives as a grassroots activist, educational researcher, parent educator, policy analyst and most importantly as a parent I have held various leadership positions: Chair of School Site Council; President of Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council… (HHPNC); Vice-President of a local PTA. My professional background includes: International Researcher for the Earth Institute, Columbia University; Project Researcher for Teachers College and Annenberg Foundation.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD? 

I plan on establishing a committee focusing on District related environmental and climate issues, initiatives and curriculum…I hope to address the challenges that both neighborhood public schools and charter schools encounter, particularly as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates economic and social conditions throughout Los Angeles. Addressing the challenges that special education families and schools face is essential to focus on, such as completion of IEPs, follow-through for provision of services and sufficient funding… I would definitely work to address the reduction of class sizes and caseloads.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Nick Melvoin

District: 4

Background/profession: Educator/LAUSD School Boardmember 

Why are you running?

I’m running to continue the work I started with parents, students, and educators when I took my oath 5 years ago…. with the added challenge of a… pandemic that forced kids and teachers from the classroom…I’m proud to have helped recruit Superintendent Alberto Carvalho…The confluence of a new, dynamic superintendent and the COVID-19 pandemic entering an “endemic” phase presents the district with an incredible opportunity to double down on our pledge of providing an excellent school district to every student and family regardless of their zip code.

How are you different from other candidates?

I was born and raised in Board District 4 and prior to running I served as a teacher, nonprofit leader, advocate, and community council member. After running as an underdog and winning in 2017, I serve as vice president of LAUSD and have led during one of the most challenging times in the history of LA Unified. In my first term I worked to safely bring kids and teachers back on campus despite the COVID-19 pandemic, invested $700 million to support under-served students, and decentralized the District into 44 “Communities of Schools” to better meet local needs…As the only Democrat in the race and with my record in office, I have earned support from various labor organizations including SEIU Local 99, elected officials including Mayor Eric Garcetti and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Democratic clubs including the Stonewall Democratic Club.

What’s the most important issue in your district? 

…Recovering after the pandemic and keeping kids and teachers safely in the classroom…(emphasizing) academic progress and socio-emotional wellbeing with an equity lens to close opportunity gaps for disproportionately affected student populations. Students experienced historic and unprecedented learning-loss as a result of time outside the classroom… we should work to align school COVID safety protocols with the county and state and… explore off-ramps from these policies to return students to normalcy.

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

LA Unified is incredibly lucky to have Superintendent Carvalho leading our district…(He)rolled out an impressive 100 day plan focused on expanding access to early childhood education, addressing learning loss, and working to align District COVID-19 health and safety protocols with LA County. As we enter the next phase of the… pandemic there is a tremendous amount of work ahead to rebuild our district in a more equitable manner, I am confident that with Superintendent Carvalho at the helm, our district will be the premiere urban district in the country.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member?

I grew up in Board District 4 and attended Kenter Canyon Elementary, a BD 4 school. I hold a BA from Harvard University, a Masters in Urban Education from LMU, and a law degree from NYU. After graduating from college, I began my career as an English teacher at Markham Middle School, an LAUSD campus in Watts where I coached soccer and baseball and helped my students launch a school newspaper. Later, I worked in the Obama White House with the Domestic Policy Council on marriage equality and voting rights and the US Attorney’s office where I took part in various civil rights investigations against prison guard abuses on Rikers Island. I also served as an adjunct professor at LMU where I taught a course on Education Law. I worked for various educational nonprofits to help improve the professional support California teachers receive, as well as amplify teachers’ voices in policy-making. These experiences along with my first term in office, not only prepare me to serve another term, but ensure that we will be able to enact kids first policies.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

I hope to make LA Unified the premiere urban district in the country. Working with Superintendent Carvalho, my colleagues on the school board, District staff and administration, and non-profit organizations this ambitious goal can become a reality. We must work to continue to decentralize the District using the Community of Schools model, which will split the District into 44 small districts to better meet local needs… Lastly, we must continue to change how we fund schools and ensure equitable funding.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Kelly Gonez

District: 6

Background/profession: LAUSD School Board President, BD6

Why are you running?

I joined the LAUSD Board of Education because I know there is more that we as a community can and must do so that every child in LAUSD receives an excellent public education…. I believe that our schools have benefited tremendously from having a representative with classroom experience, and I have a strong record of delivering for our community and building a progressive policy agenda… I have spent the past five years working tirelessly as a fierce advocate for our students, staff, and families and collaborating to solve challenges… and strengthen our public schools.

How are you different from other candidates?

I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for educational equity… I am an experienced teacher leader, with more than 4 years of proven experience on the Board of Education, during some of the most challenging times our community has faced… My leadership has been tested and I have helped lead our district as we have been a model for the nation in our response to the pandemic and safe reopening of schools. As a board member, I have championed the highest-needs students we serve… My vision for public education is to center the role of schools as the hearts of our communities…As the only parent of young kids on the school board, I know the challenges our families have faced – especially difficult over the last two years – and have a deep rooted personal stake in ensuring our district meets the needs of all our kids.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

The most pressing immediate challenge is the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing impacts. The pandemic and the related economic crises have devastated low-income communities of color throughout Los Angeles…we must continue to ensure that our schools are safe for students, staff, and families…In the long term, I am focused on ensuring the resources we have received to recover from the pandemic are used effectively and equitably…we have directed a record $700 million directly to school sites to…communities serving the highest needs students and communities most impacted by COVID-19. This includes Board District 6 which experienced a disproportionate toll of loss, sickness, and trauma due to the pandemic. As we look to spend additional resources… investments in the physical and mental health of our students will be as critical to their success as our academic investments.

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

In this moment, Superintendent Carvalho must prioritize an equitable and transformative recovery from the pandemic, one that is responsive to immediate needs, but also tackles long standing inequities the district has allowed to fester… …I have led an effort to desegregate LAUSD schools… promoting greater diversity and equitable access to the district’s most in-demand offerings and hope the superintendent will partner with us… All of this work and its progress will need the support and prioritization of Superintendent Carvalho.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

I deeply understand public education and the biggest challenges confronting our schools, as well as their incredible assets. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in an immigrant family. Through my personal and professional experience, I understand the needs and struggles of our working families and the dignity of all labor… Collaboration and building coalitions is a key skill set I have developed, and both are crucial in being a successful board member… It is my record of integrity and ability to collaborate…that led to my unanimous selection… as president of the board in December 2020. I am also a mother of two toddlers…, My perspective as a mom… adds to my ability to be an effective leader and passionate advocate…

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD? 

If reelected, my top 3 priorities would be implementing universal preschool and high-quality early education, incorporating equity into all LA Unified policies, and increasing college and career readiness for all students. As board president I brought together a coalition… to commit the district to providing universal preschool… by the 2024-25 school year… I have led critical equity work during my time on the Board – from ensuring more equitable access to our most in-demand offerings…to dedicating more funding to our highest-needs schools and communities, to expanding community schools, the Black Student Achievement plan, and spearheading our Ethnic Studies graduation requirement. In a second term, I look forward to seeing these efforts to fruition…Finally, while we have made important strides in increasing high school graduation rates, I want to go farther and ensure every student… is prepared to succeed… I’m leading the Board to address the obstacles low-income students of color …face in graduating college-eligible and prepared. During my time as board president, the board created…key goals to improve student outcomes…, I will build on these achievements to ensure every child who graduates from LAUSD is able to achieve their dreams… and the district provides the necessary supports to meet this goal.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Miguel Ángel Segura (Twitter)

Name: Miguel Ángel Segura 

District: 2

Background/profession: Public School Teacher, Organizer, Elected Official Staffer, National Advance Staff 

Website: seguraforlausd.com

Why are you running?

I am running because I AM Board District 2 (BD2). I was born, raised, and living in BD2. I attended Union Elementary School, Virgil Middle School, and Belmont High School … I am a product of BD2. I have been a student of LAUSD, a board member staffer for LAUSD, and currently, a teacher for the district. I know every angle of education at LAUSD … , that is best … Once I have the privilege to serve as the BD2 member, it will be an honor … to represent each neighborhood and community, rather than being a “job” … My collaborative approach to work with … members will enhance the successes set out for BD2, as we all can leverage each other’s successes and learn lessons for better outcomes. Better outcomes in BD2 are my reasons for running.

How are you different from other candidates?

I have relationships at the federal, state and local levels to continue the efforts of community schools, which enhance my experience, expertise, and commitment. 

I relate with the people in each neighborhood, community, and area of BD2 because I, too, was raised by immigrant parents seeking an opportunity for me to have something better. I had fundamental support in seeking my ambitious goals …, I worked … to save money and help my family … I come from a long line of hard workers, whose work ethic is a part of me and is the reason I was able to achieve what I have thus far. Even during exciting and high-profile times working on residential races or for the U.S. Department of Education, I have dedicated my life to community and public service … I am from a working family. I know working families and I serve working families, because I remain a working member of the same community I am running to represent.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

Community schools and reclassification. Students in my community are not being reclassified on time. We need more efforts to reclassify our low income communities. First, the community schools approach will provide a wraparound approach to support and guide the students attending those schools as well as their family members, all to reach … emotional wellbeing and educational support … to improve their impoverished and underserved communities. 

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority? 

Mental Health, teacher retention, teachers of color retention. Attracting students back into LAUSD schools. We have low enrollment in our schools and we need to focus on traditional schools. 

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

In addition to being a staffer to elected officials and Masters in Education, as a current and ongoing educator, I am closely aware of what students, parents/caregivers, school staff, and teachers need to continue their successes … I am aware that success looks different in every state as I staff presidential elections … The same goes for every neighborhood area in BD2 and every school within to progress their own successes. I have the privilege and first-hand knowledge of teaching at various schools to understand trends and needs …, For example, if there is a school in the Westlake area that is exceeding its standards, then how can they share that knowledge with another school, say in Highland Park who needs that extra support. 

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

When I win I will focus on attracting students and parents back into our schools …

Over the past few decades, LA Unified has worked … to transform itself into the national education leader it is today. But for my peers and I who attended LAUSD schools, injustice was our reality from start to finish. Overcrowded schools were a given. 

Racial unrest was rampant. Immigrant families like mine were sidelined, and pathways out of poverty felt like a privilege. However, our communities never lost the ability to love and, today, students, families, educators, and service workers after enduring this pandemic, need love – through relationships, policy, engagement, and board member representation.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues.

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Name: Maria Brenes

District: 2

Background/profession: Education advocate, LAUSD parent and executive director of InnerCity Struggle

Why are you running?

For 20 years I have been a strong voice and advocate for educational justice and re-imagining public education to be equitable for all LAUSD students…, Historically, students of color have been academically left behind, criminalized and public schools have been severely under-resourced. Families of color have high hopes and high expectations for their children and public education can play an essential role in empowering them to reach their fullest potential… My goal would be to develop policy and an LAUSD budget rooted in racial justice… I want to… strengthen traditional neighborhood schools to be hubs of academic excellence…in highest need communities.

How are you different from other candidates?

I am a proven and tested leader in advancing campaigns and winning policy changes that benefit students of color and our highest need schools in the LAUSD. I am an education and children’s advocate, as well as an LAUSD parent of two elementary students. I have worked to transform and re-imagine public education to be equitable and just for all regardless of zip code.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our highest need communities and we must close achievement and opportunity gaps by investing in equitable resources for neighborhood schools. My top priorities for LAUSD schools would include …(creating) …quality and engaging pathways toward college ready graduation for all students…Another focus would be supporting the expansion and strengthening of early education programs and services to boost academic achievement… Centering the needs of Special Education students would be a high priority as this area is under-resourced… I would focus on spotlighting the needs of foster youth and collaborate with the county and community organizations to figure out better ways to ensure…achievement. Additionally, improving school climate for students of color and in particular Black student achievement efforts would continue to be a focus of my work. Initiatives supporting English Learners, LGBTQ students and Indigenous students would also be a high priority.

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

Superintendent Carvalho’s top priorities should include equitable investments for highest need schools. LAUSD must provide wrap-around services for all schools, especially for those in communities hit hardest by the pandemic. He must also focus on fully staffing our schools beginning with the highest need… the superintendent must maximize all funding the district has received in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate learning and develop a clear plan for post-pandemic investments.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member?

My work at InnerCity Struggle for 20 years has focused on exposing the inequities that persist in highest need schools and communities… My work in educational justice has targeted the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline… I have demanded higher expectations for students and greater public investment…The most significant wins I have helped secure include the construction of new LAUSD traditional public schools for the Eastside, A-G college-preparatory classes for all, eliminating willful defiance as grounds for suspension, the Student Equity Needs Index and wellness centers at Mendez and Roosevelt high schools.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD?

If elected, I will be a voice for equitable funding for LAUSD students and schools by supporting the increasing of resources to address the unmet needs of students… I will focus on access to higher education, career preparation and opportunity for all by advancing deepened personalization and advocating for a greater concentration of resources in the classroom, including intervention and enrichment supports to positively impact higher graduation rates and a strong college-going culture in LAUSD schools. Lastly, I will work to increase mental health and wellness supports… by further investing in wrap-around support services that include access to affordable housing and addressing food insecurity…Every LAUSD family must be empowered as partners…and I will advocate for the centering of students and families in all decision-making.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020. 

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity.

Marvin A. Rodríguez

Name: Marvin A. Rodríguez 

District: 6 

Background/profession: LAUSD Spanish Teacher/Parent and Veteran 

Why are you running? 

I am running for school board because I believe in public education and the important role it plays in uplifting communities… I am committed to a new vision for our public schools. I believe in the power of community in our schools. I look to build communities of resources, support, and hope for our students… because when our students feel they belong to a community, they are inspired to engage and make positive contributions to it.

How are you different from other candidates? 

I have dedicated my adult life to the service of others. I served my country as a US Marine during a time of war and have worked with students since the age of twenty-one. I have worked as an elementary afterschool coach with LAUSD’s Youth Services, volunteer with the marathon training program Students Run Los Angeles, and for the past seventeen years, have followed my passion and love for teaching… What I have learned from teaching… is that if we treat our students with empathy and love, we create a sense of community for them to lean on for support as they look to succeed. 

What’s the most important issue in your district? 

…the most important issue in LAUSD moving forward is the adequate funding and expansion of early education. I believe the district should focus on ensuring our communities have equitable access to quality early education. The district must expand its early education centers…. in a way that creates communities of resources and support for our young children…, that will inspire them to fall in love with learning… Many of the issues exhibited by our young people in education, especially those from our most vulnerable communities result from a lack of access to these positive learning experiences at a young age. 

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority? 

… to build up and empower all our district schools, especially those in our most vulnerable communities. His focus should be to fund our district schools in a way that allows them to become communities of resources and support for our students to succeed, so that our children don’t have to look to schools outside of their communities for better educational opportunities. Schools in every community should provide the best educational option for our children. 

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? 

My teaching experience… seeing first-hand the needs of my students and my dedication to finding the best and most effective approach to support their academic, social, and emotional success have prepared me to serve on the school board. 

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD? 

I am committed to a new vision of public education. I believe in the power of community in our schools. If I win, I look to build communities of resources, support, and hope for our students in all our district’s schools. I look to advocate for and support the expansion of community schools in the district. I look to expand access to quality early education, especially in our most vulnerable communities. I look to provide for our students with special needs the services and support they need to thrive and reach their full potential. I look to push for culturally and racially responsive curriculum that uplifts and empowers the backgrounds and identities of our students. 

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020.

This profile is part of “Meet the LAUSD school board candidates,” a series focusing on the candidates running for three open seats on the seven-member school board. LAUSD is the largest school district in the country with an elected school board. The primary is June 7. Candidates have until March 9 to qualify for the ballot by submitting signatures. Read all the pieces in the series as they are published here. Profiles have been edited for length and clarity. 

Erica for LAUSD School Board / Facebook

Name: Erica Vilardi-Espinosa

District: 2

Background/profession: Community Organizer/Accountant

Why are you running? 

Education is the basis of everything. I believe schools are the center of the community and provide not just education but also, friends, mentors, social structure, nutrition, and a safe environment… In a country like The US, everyone should be able to receive a fair and equitable public education… I want to make sure all LAUSD schools are doing everything possible to ensure our children are prepared for the future.

How are you different from other candidates?

I am not part of the established political powers that currently control the LAUSD. I am a parent that has been fighting from the ground up. I have on-the-ground experience of what schools need and the struggles parents, teachers and students encounter. I am running to bring perspective to the board where there are no board members with children in LAUSD schools.

What’s the most important issue in your district?

Creating a school curriculum that is innovative, challenging, and engaging. Make sure the learning environment is welcoming and equitable for all students… particularly where parent involvement is challenging and fundraising is not a viable solution… Current Technology and Wi-Fi is a must-solve issue for so many students in my district where neither are a given at their homes…

What should be Superintendent Carvalho’s top priority?

Updating the facilities and increasing staff to serve the most overcrowded schools and outdated buildings. Dual language and innovative updated teaching techniques with lessons learned from this pandemic should be implemented to ensure all students excel in all of our public schools.

What skills or past experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member?

I have been fighting for improvements in my local schools for over 10 years and have been on the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council for the past 4 years as the Education Chair. I understand the lengthy process and departments it takes to get things done. Team building and perseverance are essential talents to make things happen in the school district and I believe I have both.

If you win, what do you hope to achieve for the LAUSD? 

To focus our community-based schools on the most innovative methods of teaching that give each learner the ability to succeed… To improve graduation rates and have students prepared not just for college, but for life and careers straight out of high school.

Destiny Torres is a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism pursuing a master of science degree in journalism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. She is passionate about culture and social justice issues. 

Veronica Sierra is a sophomore pursuing a journalism degree at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela; and moved to California in 2015 where she continued high school, graduating in 2020.