Carl J. Petersen
Bio
Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections.
Stories (327)
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Ignore Parents At Your Peril
“Just saying engagement over and over again does not make it engagement.” – LAUSD Parent in 2018 As one of his last acts before being forced from office, Ref Rodriguez helped to reelect Monica Garcia as the LAUSD Board President. This kept the block of members elected with the support of the Charter School Industry in control of the District’s direction even as the board operated at a 3 - 3 deadlock with its three members matched by three members who supported public education.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
Steve Barr Asks LAUSD For A Chance To Fail Again
“Government ought to be all outside and no inside. . . . Everybody knows that corruption thrives in secret places, and avoids public places, and we believe it a fair presumption that secrecy means impropriety.” – Woodrow Wilson
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in The Swamp
Getting Half The Job Done
“Criterion 3: Is the charter school serving all pupils who wish to attend, or does the charter school have substantial fiscal or governance issues? (Ed. Code, § 47607(e).) These criteria have been determined not to be bases for denial.” – LAUSD Charter School Division
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in The Swamp
Hopeless?
“The word ‘retarded’ is enjoying a comeback.” – Celebrated by the New York Post While recovering from surgery and stuck in bed, I binged the second season of Squid Game. The first installment was a depressing look at the state of the world under corporatism, with the 1% finding entertainment in the violent deaths of those who had fallen into deep debt. While well-made, the sequel was even more painful to watch.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in The Swamp
Cautiously Optimistic
“We must hold the Superintendent accountable” – Karla Griego Hopes were high when Dr. Rocio Rivas won the LAUSD BD2 Board Seat in the 2022 elections. For the first time in decades, supporters of public schools held a majority and efforts could finally be made to hold charter schools accountable for the public funds they receive.
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in Education
Charter School Debt Increases To At Least $2,899,721
“Any charter that refuses to pay what is owed should be revoked.” – Scott Schmerelson “If a charter school refuses to pay the fees they owe, even after given opportunities to pay their debt to our students, then I do support revoking the charter from the school.” – Karla Griego
By Carl J. Petersenabout a year ago in The Swamp
