Deasy deserves to remain

The school reform, which has been giving hope to parents frustrated by the lack of learning, is at risk because of pressure to remove Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy from his position.

Exactly two years after assuming his position, Deasy is leading a positive transformation in a school district characterized by low achievement. During this period, schools were given more autonomy thanks to a variety of administrative models and teachers took more responsibility for student learning, among other advanced reforms.

The balance of these two years shows improvement, both in graduation rates and API test results. Even more important is the broad support among the community for the agenda Deasy is promoting, as demonstrated by a United Way poll of more than 100 community leaders and civil rights activists.

This support greatly contrasts with criticism from United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). As part of its effort to remove Deasy, the union made it known that 91% of teachers do not trust the superintendent. However, fewer than half of the union’s 33,000 members gave a “no confidence” vote, despite UTLA’s campaign in favor of this vote. This reflects different priorities for the majority of members and UTLA’s leadership, for which removing the superintendent is at the top of the list.

UTLA’s strategy is to take advantage of the recent election in the LAUSD to change the reformist path of the School Board, which hired Deasy and has supported him during his term.

Results of the April election did not decide the balance of power on the School Board. The May 21 election will settle the balance. The key there is the election of Antonio Sánchez, the only candidate who is being backed by UTLA and in favor of Deasy staying on the job. Sánchez’s election is vital to continuing the reform.

John Deasy has shown strong commitment to students learning, so they can get to the next grade with the necessary knowledge. Those are the wishes of parents, and the superintendent is addressing them.