CHANGETHELAUSD.COM

School Board Candidate Loses An Endorsement

Citing the lawsuit filed against Graciela Ortiz by a former student, CSEA LOCAL 500 retracted its previous recommendation in the BD5 race.

“The action by CSEA LA 500 reflects deep concern about Ortiz and the potential for damage to the union from association with her.”

– From the CSEA Los Angeles Chapter 500 Facebook page

While Graciela Ortiz has tried to minimize the lawsuit filed against her by a former student as a “politically motivated, frivolous and misguided piece of litigation”, the charges should be a cause of concern for anyone who cares about the safety of children. According to the plaintiff, Ortiz used her position of power as an LAUSD employee to recruit students for her political campaigns. It is alleged that the adults assigned to work with these young campaign workers were not properly vetted, providing the opportunity for one to viciously attack a student at gunpoint. Ortiz classifies this sexual assault, for which the perpetrator has been convicted, as an “unfortunate occurrence.”