The District 5 race is a competition between candidates with values in education but different professional backgrounds. The two most powerful unions in the district are also facing each other in the race by supporting the opposing parties.
Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union is supporting Ortiz. Local 99 members include custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, teacher aides and security aides. United Teachers Los Angeles is supporting Griego. UTLA represents teachers, psychologists, librarians, nurses and counselors.
Both unions spent comparable amounts – close to $1 million each – In the primary, in which Griego Finished in top position.
As of September 11, Local 99 outspends UTLA by nearly 3 to 1, having spent nearly $422,000. However, in the primary, the teachers union closed the same gap with subsequent sports spending.
A crucial question for Griego is how much, if any, distance there is between his positions and those of UTLA, which has greater influence over school district policies than Local 99. Griego has been a longtime UTLA leader, including serving on the union’s board. Director.
UTLA’s senior leadership has sought to eliminate funding for school police, want to tighten oversight of charter schools and limit their growth, is pushing to eliminate most of the district’s standardized tests, and superintendent of police Has been a critic of. Alberto Carvalho. If Griego wins, UTLA will potentially have its strongest ally on board.
Local 99 wanted its own candidate – who was not so closely associated with the teachers union – and chose Ortiz, even though, as a longtime school counselor, she was an active member of the teachers union.
Local 99’s priorities lean toward bread-and-butter issues, such as protecting and enhancing the jobs, wages, and benefits of the workers it represents. The union – which also includes many parents and UTLA – has reportedly criticized Carvalho. Not maintaining contract commitments, And instead schools are being pressured to cut jobs and staff hours and benefits.
In response to the outcry, district officials have set up a fund from which schools can reinstate the positions, while also claiming they have followed the terms of the contract. Budget decisions back and forth have created difficult situations for school staff who want job stability and for administrators who manage hiring and work hours.
But the bottom line is that Carvalho may face new pressures from a new board member, no matter who wins.
Charter school supporters, who have funded big-money independent campaigns, have largely dropped out of the race, but based on individual donations, charter supporters appear to favor Ortiz.
The LA Unified School Police union also supports Ortiz. They are concerned that the UTLA-backed candidate will support the teachers union’s call to abolish the school police department.
Ortiz has also served as mayor of Huntington Park – a job that rotates between council members. That city is increasingly divided into factions. Issues raised by critics of the Ortiz faction include Dispute over bus services This matter came to light in 2017, in which contracts were given to a company with political connections. Due to which more fees were charged. Ortiz denied any wrongdoing by himself or the city.
Right after that filing, LA Unified Ortiz was briefly sidelined She was fired from her job as a counseling administrator before being reinstated several weeks later. The school system would not comment on the purpose of the investigation or whether Ortiz was subject to discipline. But eventually she returned to her job. Ortiz also declined to comment on the case.
Meanwhile, an L.A. Superior Court judge removed Ortiz and Martinez from the lawsuit in April — on the grounds that they are not liable based on the evidence presented — but allowed the case to remain active. The victim’s attorney has once again included Ortiz and Martinez in the amended complaint. The next hearing of the case is in October.
Ortiz predicted that she would be successful again in withdrawing from the case and described the trial as politically motivated and frivolous.
“As a full-time teacher and counselor, I have not allowed myself to be distracted by the politics of running for office,” Ortiz said. “I would love to talk about the issues that come up when parents knock on doors in Silver Lake, Eagle Rock and southeast cities.”
The responses below on specific LAUSD issues were compiled by the Times through questionnaires sent to candidates, follow-up emails and conversations with candidates. The material was supplemented with material from statements on campaign websites and public campaign forums. Candidates also had the opportunity to provide updated input after the primary.
Answers have been summarized or lightly edited for length and clarity.
