if…? L.A. TIMES MAKES ENDORSEMENTS IN SCHOOL BOARD RACES

see: For L.A. Unified Board | LA Times Editorial | http://lat.ms/hhR2JQ

by smf for 4LAKids

Jan 24, 2011 - The L.A. Times announced their endorsements for the LAUSD Board of Ed this A.M. [see link above]. 

The are no surprises. I am not an unabashed fan of UTLA - but essentially the Times takes the position that if the teacher’s union is for a candidate, they’re against them.

[The Times is historically and editorially and fervently anti-union; after all union organizers bombed the paper on Oct 1, 1910 and they hold a grudge!)

The Times professes independence of the mayor – and enumerates very good reasons why the mayor's thinking on public education is flawed.

But if Mayor Tony (and Eli Broad, Richard Riordan and the Charter School Association)  is for ‘em, ….so’s the Times.

Imagine that.   OK, we have to imagine because Mayor Tony has not actually made any endorsements. Good puppetmasters remain invisible – though it’s doubtful Mayor Tony will stay invisible or silent for long: I referred to ‘good’ puppetmasters.

The Times’ twisted logic and left-handed compliments in the District 3 (East Valley) endorsement is interesting – one suspects dissent on the editorial board.

But nothing compares to the semantic and logical gymnastics in their endorsement in the District 5 Race (Northeast and East LA and the Southeast Cities)

…voters have a choice between a union favorite (John Fernandez …and Luis Sanchez, a Mayor Tony appointed) recreation and parks commissioner and aide to board President Monica Garcia, who carries the mayor's water on the board.   The third, independent candidate Bennett Kayser…

One pauses here. According to the city charter school board candidates are supposed to be non partisan and independent.

This race is for the seat currently held by Yolie Flores, who emerged as a leader of thoughtful reform on the board but who is leaving after one term. Unfortunately, neither of the two leading candidates to replace her is likely to fill her shoes.

• Fernandez parrots the union line about how schools can improve despite rigid seniority and tenure protections as long as the district cuts enough money from its administrative budget.
• Sanchez lays out an equally predictable prescription for improving education through such reforms as college-prep requirements for all students, even though many students aren't interested in college; the schools' top priority should be to reduce dropout rates.

The Times concludes:

(Sanchez) could be a strong voice for students if he follows his own counsel rather than casting votes to please the mayor or Garcia.

if?  This is not the Kipling conjunction!   The likelihood of that happening is directly proportionate to the airworthiness of swine.