2024 LAUSD Elections

Facing The Voters

In the first debate since filing closed, seven LAUSD BD3 School Board candidates answered questions from the community. One was a no-show.

“Community Schools are a road to communism.”

– BD3 Candidate Raquel Villalta

As my wife and I pulled into the parking lot of Birmingham Charter High School, we were impressed by the number of cars already present. It was a Saturday night on the first day of Thanksgiving break and spots were already scarce. Civil engagement may not be dead after all.

It turned out most of the cars were there for a different event that was occurring on the football field, but approximately 50 people did attend what was billed as a “candidate debate” hosted by the Lake Balboa and Winnetka Neighborhood Councils. Moderated by Spectrum News 1 correspondent Ariel Wesler, the event was more of a “candidate forum” than a “debate” as there was no give and take between the candidates. Whatever the classification, it did give voters the opportunity to size up the people running to represent them in the BD3 seat on the LAUSD School Board.