Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Richard Vladovic Will Continue To Serve As LAUSD Board President
FILE - L.A. Unified School Board member Richard Vladovic speaks during a meeting on Aug. 22, 2017. (Kyle Stokes/KPCC)
()
Richard Vladovic was elected to serve a second consecutive term as president of the L.A. Unified School District board of education at the board's annual meeting on Tuesday.
While the position has few formal advantages over those of the other six board members -- the main responsibility of the board president is to run the meetings -- Vladovic's reelection is noteworthy because it signals a need for stability as the board navigates a host of unprecedented issues.
When he was nominated for consideration, Vladovic -– who represents Board District 7, covering Gardena, San Pedro, and parts of South L.A. -– said he wasn't seeking another term.
"We've got some troubling waters ahead of us as board members, and many major decisions to make," Vladovic told the board in the meeting, which was held via Zoom. "I can list a litany of things in the next six months that we're going to be dealing with."
Support for LAist comes from
Vladovic did not name the specific challenges, but here are two of the elephants in the room:
- POLICE: Last week, in a victory for activists and critics of police in schools, the board voted 4-3 to reduce funding for the district's police department by about 35%, and to redirect the funds to psychiatric social workers and counselors in schools with more Black students. In an emotional meeting that went well into the night, Vladovic joined the two other former administrators on the board in vocally opposing this cut.
- COVID-19: The district continues to grapple with the effects of the ongoing pandemic, including whether and how schools will reopen in the fall, and how the district will support vulnerable students like those with special needs, limited Internet access and other technology for online learning, and students who are learning English.
"What I didn't want was a controversy today because, above all, we need to get together and face some of the challenges that many of the parents have said to us, and how we can improve the delivery of the instructional program during this terrible, terrible pandemic," Vladovic said.
Vladovic was first chosen to be board president in 2013 and served until 2015. He was elected to the position again a year ago.
Before becoming a school board member, Vladovic was a principal and district administrator.
READ MORE OF OUR PAST COVERAGE OF VLADOVIC:
READ MORE ABOUT THE PAST WEEK IN LAUSD:
- LAUSD Names Interim School Police Chief
- School Police Chief Resigns After LAUSD Board Cuts Budget
- For Advocates, $25 Million Cut To LAUSD Police Is Just The First Step. For Others, It's Already Too Much.
- LAUSD Cuts School Police — A Major Victory For Activists — But Mostly Maintains Status Quo In Its Budget For Now
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist