With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Want to decide who to vote for in the LA School Board election? Read candidates' answers to our survey
Listen
• 6:53
Los Angeles Unified School Board members hear public comment during a recent meeting. The public television station it operates, KLCS, broadcasts all board meetings.
(
Kyle Stokes/KPCC
)
UPDATED — On May 16, voters in both west Los Angeles and in the east San Fernando Valley will head to the polls to elect two members to five-and-a-half-year terms on the L.A. Unified School District seven-person school board.
Scroll down to see the candidates' responses to KPCC's survey on major issues, but first, here's some answers to basic questions about the primary election.
- How does this election work? This is a runoff election for two seats in which no candidate won a majority in a March 7 primary vote. The top two candidates from that primary election are now squaring off in this runoff.
- Can I vote in this election? It depends on where you live; each L.A. Unified School Board seat represents a specific geographic area, or "board district." Seats in District Four and Six are up for election. Plug in your address here to find out if you can vote. (The board member in District Two won a majority of the vote in the primary, securing her re-election.)
- How can I register to vote? Here's a website where you can begin the registration process, and here's another website where you can check whether you're already registered.
Ahead of the March 7 primary, KPCC submitted a survey to each of the L.A. Unified School Board candidates. We asked them a range of questions, from the superintendent's performance to their feelings on the district's budget, charter schools and school choice. Click on the candidate's name below to see the responses we received.
(Though only two candidates in District Four and District Six advanced, for posterity's sake, we're still including links to the responses sent to us by the candidates who did not make the May 16 runoff.)
Support for LAist comes from
Board District Four
(Venice, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Hollywood, portions of Encino, Tarzana and other neighborhoods in the southwest San Fernando Valley.) (map)
Advanced to the May 16 runoff:
Did not advance to the runoff: Allison Holdorff Polhill, Greg Martayan
Board District Six
(East San Fernando Valley neighborhoods east of the 405 Freeway, including Sunland-Tujunga and Lakeview Terrace; and some areas west of the 405, such as Lake Balboa.) (map)
Support for LAist comes from
Advanced to the May 16 runoff:
Did not advance to the runoff: Patty Lopez, Araz Parseghian, Gwendolyn Posey, Jose Sandoval
Board District Two
(Koreatown, Downtown, Chinatown, El Sereno, Boyle Heights, East L.A.) (map)
Re-elected, earning a majority of votes and avoiding a May 16 runoff: Mónica García (incumbent)
Did not advance to the runoff: Lisa Alva, Carl Petersen
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist