LAUSD Candidate Andreas Farmakalidis on Governance

“the effectiveness of managing a large bureaucracy isn't solely determined by its size but by the leadership, organizational structures, policies, and practices in place.”

– BD3 Candidate Andreas Farmakalidis

Andreas Farmakalidis is the first of the potential LAUSD candidates to participate in all three editions of my ongoing Candidate Forum series. In past months he has answered questions about PROP-39 Co-Locations and Special Education. This month Farmakalidis was asked five questions about how the District is governed. For the introduction to this subject along with answers from other candidates, please see the article LAUSD Candidate Forum: Governance.

The following are the candidate’s responses, printed exactly how he provided them with the exception of some minor formatting edits:

• Would you agree with the statement: “The elected LAUSD Board is responsible for setting policy. The job of the Superintendent is to ensure that the bureaucracy follows this policy.”? YES

The LAUSD Board of Education, comprised of elected members, acts as the policymaking body for the district. They deliberate, decide, and set the direction for the district's educational strategies, goals, and resource allocations. This can include decisions on budget priorities, curriculum changes, school policies, and initiatives aimed at improving student outcomes and educational equity.

In contrast, the superintendent serves as the district's top executive, responsible for translating the board's policies into actionable plans and initiatives. They oversee the day-to-day operations, manage district personnel, allocate resources, and ensure that the schools and administrative offices effectively execute the established policies and directives. The superintendent often collaborates with various stakeholders, including teachers, principals, parents, and community members, to implement the board's vision while navigating challenges and fostering a conducive learning environment for students.

• Do you agree with the statement: “The bureaucracy of the LAUSD is too big to be managed effectively.”? NO

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States, serving a vast number of students, each with unique needs and backgrounds. Managing such a large bureaucracy comes with inherent complexities.

Challenges in overseeing a large system like the LAUSD might include issues related to coordination among numerous schools, administrative offices, and personnel spread across a wide geographical area. Communication, decision-making processes, and resource allocation can become intricate due to the sheer scale of operations.

However, the effectiveness of managing a large bureaucracy isn't solely determined by its size but by the leadership, organizational structures, policies, and practices in place. Strategies to streamline operations, allocate resources efficiently, foster communication, and adapt to changing educational needs can enhance the management of a large system like the LAUSD. Continuous evaluation and improvement are crucial to addressing challenges and ensuring that the district effectively serves its students, educators, and communities.

• Do you think that the evaluation of the Superintendent’s job performance is something that the school board should do in full view of the public? YES

Yes! The evaluation of the Superintendent's job performance by the school board is a critical aspect of ensuring effective leadership within a school district like the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This evaluation typically involves assessing the Superintendent's achievements, adherence to district goals, leadership qualities, management of resources, and overall effectiveness in executing the board's policies and directives.

Conducting this evaluation transparently, such as in open board meetings or through publicly shared reports, fosters accountability to the community. It allows stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, and the general public, to understand how the district's top executive is performing in their role. Transparency in this process also helps build trust and confidence in the district's governance by demonstrating a commitment to openness and accountability in evaluating the Superintendent's contributions and effectiveness in serving the educational needs of the community.

• Should the number of Board Districts be increased beyond the existing seven? Leaning towards YES

The number of Board Districts within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has significant implications for representation and governance. Factors such as population shifts, demographic changes, and the need for equitable representation influence discussions about potentially increasing the number of districts.

As the district's population grows and evolves, there might be considerations for additional districts to ensure that each area receives fair and adequate representation. A larger number of districts could potentially lead to more localized representation, allowing board members to focus more closely on the unique needs of their respective communities.

However, altering the number of districts requires careful analysis. It involves considerations regarding the impact on the overall efficiency of governance, the allocation of resources, the potential for increased administrative costs, and maintaining a balanced and fair representation of diverse communities within the district.

Stakeholder engagement, community input, and comprehensive studies are vital in assessing whether an increase in Board Districts is warranted and how it might affect the district's ability to serve its students effectively.

Always keep in mind that priority is our kids and the best for the district therefore by adding more districts, the board members would likely have a better focus on addressing the unique challenges and concerns of individual neighborhoods or regions. This localized approach might lead to more targeted solutions and policies that cater directly to the diverse needs of various communities within the larger district.

• If elected would you introduce the proposed “Board Meeting Accessibility to the Public” resolution? Mostly YES

The proposed "Board Meeting Accessibility to the Public" resolution aims to enhance transparency and accessibility in LAUSD board meetings, ensuring they are accessible both in-person and virtually.

The resolution seeks to make board meetings more inclusive by providing language interpretation services, ensuring ADA compliance, and broadcasting meetings online. This effort aims to increase public participation and engagement by removing barriers to access.

Taking all the above mentioned points and because I support the goals outlined in the resolution, I would definitely advocate for this resolution to be brought forward and implemented within the LAUSD.

• Do you have any other thoughts that you would like to express about this subject?

Improving transparency and community engagement within the LAUSD governance could be beneficial. Enhancing mechanisms for gathering input from students, parents, teachers, and community members could help ensure that the board's decisions align more closely with the needs and aspirations of those directly affected by educational policies. Additionally, fostering greater collaboration between the board, schools, and local communities could lead to more effective and responsive decision-making.

A few specific changes that could enhance LAUSD's governance:

Increased Community Engagement: Implementing regular meetings, surveys, and forums to gather input from various stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, and community members) on critical decisions, budget allocation, and policy changes. This engagement could foster a sense of ownership and ensure decisions better reflect the needs of the diverse communities served by LAUSD.

Board Transparency: Enhancing transparency in the board's decision-making processes by providing accessible information about meetings, agendas, and policy discussions. This transparency could include clear communication channels, easily understandable reports, and summaries of decisions made by the board.

Equitable Representation: Evaluating and possibly revising the electoral system or board structure to ensure diverse representation that accurately reflects the demographics and needs of the entire district. This might involve redefining district boundaries or incorporating at-large or proportional representation to ensure fair and inclusive governance.

Empowering Local School Leadership: Empowering principals, teachers, and parents at the school level by allowing more autonomy in decision-making tailored to the specific needs of each school community. This could involve delegating certain budgetary or curricular decisions to individual schools while still adhering to broader district-wide policies.

Partnerships and Collaboration: Establishing stronger partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies to enhance educational opportunities, access to resources, and community involvement in supporting schools. These collaborations could supplement the district's efforts and provide additional support where needed.

Implementing these changes could create a more responsive, inclusive, and effective governance structure within LAUSD, better aligned with the needs of its diverse student population and communities.

For more details please check

www.lausd3.com

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Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD’s District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him “a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles.” For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.