We work in the richest school district in the richest state in the nation. The district has stacked up $6.4 billion in reserves yet continues to keep educators underpaid and our schools understaffed and under-resourced. Our students are struggling in and outside of school. Enrollment is declining as families are falling behind on rent and forced to leave L.A.

This fall, UTLA members participated in over 665 chapter meetings while Reclaim Our Schools LA surveyed parents and community organizations to identify the urgent issuesthat would shape the UTLA demands in upcoming contract negotiations. With feedback from chapter leaders, the 140-member UTLA Bargaining Team developed a unified platform of demands from that input.

The Win Our Future platform builds on our historic wins from our 2019 Strike and 2023 Solidarity Strike. It is a statement of what UTLA members are committed to fight for, collectively, for the future of our public schools and communities.

This round, we have the opportunity to bring member power and momentum to the state level. Uniting with ten other major educator unions across California in the statewide We Can’t Wait campaign, we can build the power to maximize pressure and win big for our schools.

The platform has been endorsed by the UTLA Bargaining Team, the Board of Directors and Chapter Chairs across all 8 UTLA Areas. In November 21, the Win Our Future Platform received a 97% YES vote and the We Can’t Wait Campaign a 92% YES vote sending a clear message to the district that we are united and prepared to stand up for the schools our students deserve.

Como profesor bilingüe de español, consejero, director y miembro de la junta escolar, Scott Schmerelson trabajó para:

• Hacer que las escuelas sean más seguras y limpias
• Invertir en asesoramiento sobre salud mental
• Reducir el tamaño de las clases
• Mejorar los puntajes de las pruebas de los estudiantes

Schmerelson trabajará para atraer y retener maestros de alta calidad y reducir el número de alumnos por aula para que los estudiantes reciban más atención e instrucción individual.

Schmerelson se asegurará de que los estudiantes se sientan seguros y puedan alcanzar su máximo potencial. El ha promovido esfuerzos contra el acoso escolar y los pasajes seguros para los niños que viajan hacia y desde la escuela. Bajo su liderazgo ha obligado al distrito escolar a instalar sistemas de seguridad y entrada segura y poner en marcha nuevas medidas contra las armas.

En el Valle, Schmerelson ha repartido millones de fondos para la modernización de las escuelas. El creé que cada escuela debe tener tecnología y planes de estudios actualizados para garantizar que cada estudiante esté preparado para la universidad o las carreras del mañana.

Karla Griego es una líder con experiencia en nuestras escuelas y comunidades. Karla es maestra de educación especial, madre de un estudiante del LAUSD y líder en el sindicato de maestros. Ha luchado por nuestros estudiantes más vulnerables durante más de 20 años.

En la Junta Escolar de Los Ángeles, Karla trabajará para:

• Reducir el tamaño de las clases y contratar más consejeros escolares y trabajadores sociales
• Invertir en servicios y programas de salud mental para estudiantes en riesgo
• Garantizar que todos los estudiantes tengan la misma oportunidad de recibir una excelente educación

Con casi 20 años de experiencia como maestra, Griego sabe que se les pide a nuestros maestros que hagan más con menos. Ella luchará para mejorar los salarios de los maestros. Karla cree que la seguridad escolar comienza con escuelas mas seguras y acogedoras y cree firmemente que eso comienza con brindar acceso a recursos y personal de salud mental.  Karla trabajara para que los niños aprendan en un entorno saludable que incluya agua potable sin plomo, campos verdes y aire acondicionado.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.