As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once noted, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” The League of Women Voters has a long tradition of sending observers to public meetings of local government agencies. These observer members identify themselves by badges or personal introductions. They attend meetings without speaking but keep notes, reporting periodically to the League. Regular attendance helps observers learn how agency members relate to one another, how they address (or do not address) controversial issues, and how the agency responds to public comments and concerns. Their discoveries may form the impetus for a local study by the League. Observers also support the League Principles (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2016–2018): that democratic government depends on the informed and active participation of the citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.
The Education Committee will be sharing reports of our School Board Observers in the Voter: Julie McKune at Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), Rae Aaselund at La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD), and Raymond Lee at Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD).
Arcadia: AUSD is partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture in developing a five-year Strategic Arts Plan. The goal of the plan is to build on the excellent reputation of AUSD in visual and performing arts by developing high-quality instruction that supports “whole child” education and pathways to career success for all children in AUSD.
La Cañada-Flintridge: The LCUSD board agreed to issue Measure LCF, bonds that will pay for capital projects early this spring for construction of a new high school pool, safety and security upgrades, and improvements at the elementary schools. Substitute teacher per diem pay was increased from $142 to $150 starting January 1, 2020.
Pasadena: Current enrollment of PUSD schools is 15,792 students. The district has received $3.1 million in Measure J funds. The district submitted the first of two required annual self-assessments to L.A. County. Muir and Pasadena High School principals discussed the CARPE College Access network, a program designed to assist students seeking college access, especially for “traditionally underrepresented students.”
—Elsa Pendleton, Co-chair, Education Committee
