SILENCING PARENTS

School Board President Misleads A Government Body

In an appearance before the Reseda Neighborhood Council, Kelly Gonez deflects blame for refusing to allow Parent Engagement Committee meetings.

“Our board rules also give the Board President the authority to create subcommittees of this body.”

- Kelly Gonez, December 17, 2020

LAUSD Board President Kelly Gonez is singlehandedly responsible for preventing the district’s Parent Engagement Committee from holding meetings. As one of her first acts after being elected to her position, she announced that she had unilaterally decided to maintain the suspension of all committees. Without calling for a vote, she rejected Board Member Scott Schmerelson’s request to reinstate the Special Education and Parent Engagement Committees that he chairs. Schmerelson, Jackie Goldberg, and George McKenna have all stated that they support reinstating these committees. Therefore, only Gonez’s vote is needed to achieve a majority.