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UTLA 2024 Endorsements

Vote the Teachers’ Choice. Ballots arrive in October, make your plan now to vote by Tuesday, November 5

LAUSD School Board 1

Sherlett is an educator, mother, and has been a coach and mentor to thousands of students in South LA. As an educator, she prevented neighborhood schools from closing and ensured families and community members become involved in the success of their local schools.

LAUSD School Board 3

Soft teal banner with picture of LAUSD school board candidate Scott Schmerelson. Check box and red check mark next to his name and the slogan the Teacher's Choice under his name.

As a bilingual Spanish teacher, counselor, principal, and school board member, Scott Schmerelson worked to: 

  • Make schools safer and cleaner 
  • Invest in mental health counseling
  • Reduce class sizes
  • Improve student test scores

Schmerelson will work to attract and retain high-quality teachers and reduce class sizes so that students get more individual attention and instruction.

Schmerelson will make sure students feel safe and can meet their full potential. He advocates for anti-bullying efforts and safe passages for kids to and from school. He has a proven track record of forcing the school district to install security and safe entry systems and put new anti-gun measures in place. 

In the Valley, Schmerelson has delivered millions in comprehensive modernizations to schools. He says that every school should have current technology and curriculum to ensure each student is prepared for college or the careers of tomorrow.

LAUSD School Board 5

Karla Griego is an experienced leader in our schools and communities. Karla is a special education teacher, parent of an LAUSD student, and a leader in the teachers’ union. She has fought for our most vulnerable students for more than 20 years. 

On the LA School Board, Karla will work to: 

  • Reduce class sizes and hire more school counselors and social workers
  • Invest in mental health services and programs for at-risk students 
  • Ensure every student has an equal opportunity to a great education

As a 20-year teacher, Griego knows that our teachers are being asked to do more with less. She will work to improve wages for teachers.

Karla believes school safety starts with safe, welcoming school campuses. She says that starts with providing access to mental health resources and staff, and ensuring that kids learn in a healthy environment that includes lead-free drinking water, green spaces, and air conditioning.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

George Gascón has served as LA County District Attorney since December 2020 and is seeking re-election. During his term, Gascón has reformed the cash bail system, stopped charging children as adults, and reopened cases of officer-involved shootings.

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 14

A tenants’ rights lawyer, affordable housing activist, and life-long resident of District 14, Ysabel will be a representative on city council who puts the community first. She is running against incumbent Kevin De León, who in 2022 was notoriously caught on tape engaging with other city leaders in a racist closed-door discussion about city council redistricting

BALLOT MEASURES

The $9-billion LAUSD construction bond would pay for desperately needed projects, such as HVAC upgrades, lead pipe replacement, green schoolyards, earthquake proofing, ADA compliance, and internet connectivity. Measure US would be paid disproportionately by LA’s biggest property owners, including oil and gas companies and real estate firms. Additionally, the bond would relieve pressure on LAUSD’s general fund and free up more reserves for educator and student needs.

 

Measure A would create the first permanent revenue source in LA County for guaranteed long-term funding for solutions to LA’s housing crisis by replacing a sunsetting sales tax. Revenue from Measure A would be used to increase and accelerate the development of affordable housing and fund emergency shelters, mental health services, substance abuse prevention services, emergency rental assistance, and tenant legal services across LA County.