The seven members of the L.A. Unified’s board oversee the nation’s second largest school district, with more than 538,000 students enrolled. The district is also the county’s second largest employer with more than 74,000 educators, administrators, and support staff on its payroll.
Four seats are up for election this year, including District 7.
Unlike in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., where the mayor appoints education system leaders, Los Angeles schools are run by the school board, which voters elect directly. That means the board members have a lot of power.
What do LAUSD board members do?
- Hire and fire the superintendent — their single most important responsibility
- Pass the $9 billion operating budget and decide how it will be distributed.
- Work with parents and resolve disputes in their district over facilities, budgets, etc.
- Vote on every charter school that hopes to open in L.A.
Before you keep reading…
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Among the major issues facing the board
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges in the district, including declining enrollment, disparities in student learning, truancy, inadequate mental health support, and lackluster standardized test scores.
Go deeper: Read more about what board members do, and the challenges facing the school board
About District 7
Board District 7 stretches from South L.A. to Gardena,…
Read the full article here
