Charting a new course for Los Angeles Schools.

This is Nick's plan to L.I.G.H.T. a path toward a new system of public schools in LA.

Local Control and Autonomy

The Los Angeles Unified School District covers 27 cities, 710 square miles, and nearly half a million students. It should come as no surprise, then, that what works in one community may not work in another. I want to give our schools more local control to make the decisions that are right for them. We need true community schools, with more flexibility over school structure, budgeting, staffing, and local partnerships so that every educator can help students learn and thrive at their level, and every school can meet the unique needs of the community it serves.

Innovation Solutions

COVID-19 has forced us to rethink all of our assumptions about teaching, learning, and education systems. We need to use technology to support families and schools, promote creativity in school design and instructional systems, and new ways to embrace the community-based partnerships and strategies that will serve students in both the short and long term. We also need to promote joy, wellness, and socio-emotional learning as vital components of every child’s education. And we need to share best practices across schools, from neighborhood schools to magnets to charters, so that all schools can learn from what works and replicate successful programs.

Great Choices for All Families – and All Ages 

Regardless of zip code, families deserve access to great public school choices, including local neighborhood schools, innovative magnet programs, and nonprofit charter schools. And we need to help parents navigate those choices more easily. All school models and options should exist in one easy-to-use platform, with a streamlined and unified application process so all parents can choose the right school for their child. I'll also continue working to expand access to free preschool and early education programs throughout the city, including the District’s implementation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten for all 4-year-olds. Finally, I'll work to stop the spread of vouchers and other models that undermine our public schools.

Human Capital Development and Support

We need to overhaul the District’s policies to better support our educators and school employees. I will work to incentivize high-performing and specialized teachers to teach in the schools that need them most. I also want to give teachers the training and support they need to become the best educator they can be. To do that, LAUSD needs a systematic way to recruit, develop, place, and retain highly effective teachers. We also need to promote more District workforce housing development and other creative solutions to support our employees.   

Transparency and Accountability

The time has come for a new era of transparency and accountability. Parents, students, and taxpayers deserve to know what’s going on in District headquarters, from the true fiscal situation to graduation rates to facilities needs. I want to expand on the success of our Open Data portal so the public can access real information about their schools and the system. You deserve to know exactly what your representatives are doing, or failing to do, to improve your schools. And as we continue our path to recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID crisis, I want to ensure we are accelerating academic achievement by replicating what’s working and eliminating what isn’t. 

Social Justice in Schools

From the 2016 election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country’s racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd, national events over the past years have highlighted the important role school districts play in protecting vulnerable students and communities. I will work to ensure and advocate for policies to protect our kids and school communities, including on issues related to the LGBTQ+ community, racial justice, and the environment.