South Bay board member Vladovic only ‘no’ vote on LAUSD early start Learning Process

South Bay board member Vladovic only ‘no’ vote on LAUSD early start

Written on Dec 15, 2010 | by Imogen Fahey

The Los Angeles Unified school board has voted 6-1 to begin classes in August instead of September for the 2011-12 school year.

Richard Vladovic, who’s facing a re-election battle for his Board District 7 seat, was the lone dissenter.

I missed the vote since I’m not covering this issue, but Vladovic’s chief of staff, David Kooper, emailed some over some of his boss’s thoughts.

“There was clearly not enough information given to parents about this calendar change,” Vladovic said. “Parents and families need to be part of the process.”

He added, in the email: “Though I think that educationally the early start calendar change makes sense, I supported the parents who have expressed to me that they have not been given enough information to make an informed recommendation.”

Local District 8 Superintendent Michael Romero originally told me that he had heard virtually no complaints from South Bay and Harbor Area parents about the possible calendar change. But this week he said he was worried about the proposed policy, and had heard more concerns.

The district says the change is motivated primarily by academics.

“As challenging as this change may be for the schedules of some families, this is a positive step for the education of all LAUSD students. The new Early Start Instructional Calendar will allow students and teachers to complete academic work during the fall semester prior to the start of the winter break,” said Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines in a press release sent out by the district. “The advantages of this reform support academic achievement for all of our students.” Under the new calendar, the school year would start Aug. 15 and run until June 1, 2012.

Learning Process