Carl J. Petersen
Bio
Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections.
Stories (324)
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The Lady With Large Vocal Capacity Has Sung
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” – John F. Kennedy Three weeks after the November 5, 2024 election, Los Angeles County released its final update of the vote totals. Unlike the primary election where the vote leader in two races changed as votes were counted, the results in this year’s races stayed relatively steady. Sherlett Hendy Newbill, Scott Schmerelson, and Karla Griego led when the first results were released on November 5, 2024, and they were all declared winners of their races when the counting was finished. Supporters of Public Education will retain the majority in the new term.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
...And The Use Of Protest Votes. Top Story - December 2024.
“Opposing someone you dislike is emotionally so much more satisfying than picking the lesser of two evils, but the end result may not be so satisfying. Welcome to politics.” – electoral-vote.com, 11/18/24
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in The Swamp
End Of An Era
“There is no greater investment that we can make in our society (than being an educator)” – Dr. George McKenna The last time Steve Zimmer set foot in the LAUSD Board Room was in 2017 when he represented Board District 4. The Charter School Industry had just conducted one of its trademark campaigns against him, full of lies and personal attacks, and he was, understandably, demoralized by the process. Nick Melvoin took over his seat and Zimmer disappeared from the LAUSD.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
Holding My Tongue...
“I do believe that the public should have a part in the evaluation of the superintendent.” – Scott Schmerelson As my Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Board representative, Scott Schmerelson’s timid leadership has increasingly frustrated me. In previous terms, he had stepped up to the plate by leading efforts to move students out of harm’s way during the Porter Ranch gas leak and being the only vote to oppose the expansion of Granada Hills Charter School, but that courage has been absent in recent years. Too often he had acquiesced to a Superintendent who was failing and increasingly alienating the parents in the District he was supposed to serve. A low point in the term came when he was the sole vote to support the North Valley Military Institute’s (NVMI) efforts to push an LAUSD school off their campus.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
Why Was This School Board Race So Close?
“Many parents…said administrators bungled the rollout of the new admissions policy, which was confusing, did not include their input, caught them by surprise, and stirred deep concerns about the future direction of the popular honors programs.” – Los Angeles Times, 11/11/24
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
How To Flex A School Board Majority
“We must hold the Superintendent accountable…” – LAUSD School Board Member-elect Karla Griego When the dust settled after Tuesday’s election it was already clear that Sherlett Hendy Newbill would be the next representative for BD1. Since then her lead has only increased and Newbill now has 52,357 more votes than her opponent, parent activist Kahllid A. Al-Alim.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
Good News For Los Angeles Public Schools?
“In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.” – Alexis de Tocqueville The Charter School Industry spent an obscene amount of money trying to reclaim control of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Board. Backed by billionaires like Bill Bloomfield, supporters of these publicly financed private schools poured at least $6.127 million into campaigns that supported Dan Chang in BD3 and Graciela Ortiz in BD5. They just needed a win by one of these candidates to achieve a majority on the seven-member board.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
