LAUSD school board incumbents ahead in early returns in races devoid of pro-charter money
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Los Angeles Unified School District incumbents — Rocio Rivas, Kelly Gonez and Nick Melvoin — surged strongly ahead in early returns Tuesday night for three seats on the Board of Education.The first reported results were trending toward one-sided outcomes because the major political forces of recent years declined to do battle against each other: The teachers union supported Rivas, who represents a largely Eastside district; a charter-friendly retired businessman supported Melvoin, whose district is centered on the Westside.And the largest union representing nonteaching employees all but avoided the fray.The third incumbent, Gonez, was the only candidate on the ballot in District 6, and faced one write-in challenger, Jose Sagredo.
Thus, Gonez is poised to continue to represent a district centered in the east San Fernando Valley for a third and final term.With no challengers boosted by high special-interest funding, the three incumbents had a virtually unobstructed campaign path.If the early returns hold as expected, the Los Angeles Board of Education will continue to lean against charter schools and would stand in general agreement on most policies — including assertive support for immigrants and a continued holding pattern on the future of Supt.Alberto Carvalho, who remains on administrative leave as a federal investigation proceeds.District 4, WestsideWell ahead in District 4 was two-term incumbent Melvoin.
His challenger was Ankur Patel.The funding advantage in Melvoin’s campaign was sizable through just before election day: Melvoin, $378,803; Patel: $22,662.In addition, Melvoin benefited from an independent expenditure of $367,093 on his behalf by retired businessman Bill Bloomfield, who has been a major funder in recent campaigns, typically for candidates who also are acceptable to charter-school advocates.
Charters are privately operated public schools, most of whic...