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Candidate forums set for LAUSD

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United Way of Greater Los Angeles will co-host next month a series of candidate forums to help residents get to know those campaigning for the school board. Those interested in the District 3 race, which encompasses schools in Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Northridge, Winnetka, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Van Nuys, Studio City, and North Hollywood will be held Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at North Hollywood High School, 5231 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood.

In this race, incumbent Tamar Galatzan faces challengers Elizabeth Badger, Filiberto Gonzalez, Ankur Patel, Carl Petersen and Scott Schmerelson.

On Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. candidates running for Board District 5, will face off at Old Timers Foundation, 3355 E. Gage Av., Huntington Park. Incumbent Bennett Kayser faces Ref Rodriguez and Andrew Thomas to represent students attending school in Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Montecito Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, East Los Angeles, South Gate, Cudahay, Maywood, Huntington Park.

On Feb. 6, a forum will be held for District 7 candidates from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 632 N. Avalon Blvd., Wilmington. The District 7 seat represents Carson, South Los Angeles, San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, Gardena, Willowbrook, and Watts.

Challengers Euna Anderson and Lydia Gutierrez are attempting to unseat incumbent Richard Vladovich who is seeking to win a spot on the school board for his third and final time during the March 3 primary.

If no candidate secures 50 percent plus 1 vote, the two top finishers will have to compete in the general election on May 19.

Citizens interested in voting in the upcoming election have until Feb. 17. Those who plan to vote by mail have until Feb. 24. Those wanting to vote in the general election must register by May 4 and by May 12 to vote by mail.

Anderson has been principal of both the Early Education Centers of Alexandria and Vine. She is also an adjunct professor at UCLA and National University and has been involved in public education since 1994, when she first started teaching elementary school.

Anderson said one key to solving some of the problems public schools have is start addressing the deficits students arrive with to focus on strengthening the early childhood education program.

Guiterrez, a 20-year veteran teaching in the state’s public education system, is an elected member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and recently ran for the state’s highest education office—state superintendent of public instruction. A life-long educator who has taught in kindergarten through eighth grade, she has also previously sought election to the Los Angeles Community College District.

Guiterrez is focusing her campaign on three issues: the “waste” of $1 billion for iPads; the cancellation of music, art and vocational trade skill classes; and the influx of consultants hired by the district.

Vladovich, also a life-long educator whose career has included teaching social studies at a Carson middle school and serving as principal at four schools that faced special challenges including Angel’s Gate Continuation High School and Locke High School in South Los Angeles, was also named superintendent for the West Covina Unified School District in 2003.

The school board member says a hallmark of his career has been his willingness to implement innovative, effective programs and strategies that enhance both the quality and quantity of learning within the schools.

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