This is too complicated a moment in the board’s history for someone with no experience to take the job. The new board member is likely to serve as the decisive vote on hot-button issues. Current, on-the-ground understanding of schools and of the day-to-day reality for teachers, parents and students is a big plus, especially because there’s too little of that on the existing board. The new member should play a role in helping Beutner build stronger relationships with teachers and parents, and should advocate strongly for full transparency on district plans. It’s preferable to have a board member who is independent-minded rather than ideologically wedded to the union or to charter school advocates.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 16, 2019 11:15 UTC