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Cautiously Optimistic

A look back at a year when the LAUSD School Board failed to enact meaningful change. Will two new members follow through with their mandate?

Carl J. Petersen
Age of Awareness
Published in
4 min readJan 4, 2025

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We must hold the Superintendent accountable

– Karla Griego

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Hopes were high when Dr. Rocio Rivas won the LAUSD BD2 Board Seat in the 2022 elections. For the first time in decades, supporters of public schools held a majority and efforts could finally be made to hold charter schools accountable for the public funds they receive.

While Rivas has been a powerful voice on the school board, her compatriots have not provided her with the backup needed to effect real change. This was on full display at the November 19, 2024 meeting, where Rivas asked most of the questions as the Board considered the renewal of 15 charter schools. These schools were all approved, including ICEF View Park Preparatory Middle, whose sister school was closed owing LAUSD students at least $263,677, and one of the schools in the controversial Citizens of the World chain of white flight charter schools.

The year’s biggest disappointment was the continued failure to hold José Cole-Gutiérrez for his years-long…

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Age of Awareness
Age of Awareness

Published in Age of Awareness

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Carl J. Petersen
Carl J. Petersen

Written by Carl J. Petersen

Parent, special education advocate and former LAUSD School Board candidate. Still fighting for the children. www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com

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