Graciela “Grace” Ortiz, a candidate running for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education District 5 seat in the upcoming November election, visited the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA), appealing for support from the Korean American community.
Ortiz highlighted the importance of the education board, stating, “The LAUSD handles an annual budget of $18 billion, which is even larger than the city of Los Angeles’ $13 billion budget. Please choose a capable candidate to represent the interests of Korean students.”
This year’s LAUSD board election covers districts 1, 3, and 5. District 7 has already been decided, as Tanya Franklin secured 55% of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff.
District 5, which includes parts of North Hollywood, Charles H. Kim Elementary, Young Oak Kim Academy, and Los Angeles High School, directly affects many Korean students. The district also has a high percentage of Latino and minority students and includes a significant number of low-income households.
Ortiz, who was born in Downtown LA and was the first in her family to attend college, emphasized the importance of education, stating, “I understand the critical need for quality education better than anyone. Send your neighbor, who has faced challenges and overcome obstacles, to represent you on the school board.”
She also addressed the historical struggles in schools such as those in Huntington Park, where graduation rates did not exceed 50% during the 1980s and 1990s. As both an educator and a former student, Ortiz believes she is well-qualified for the role of a school board member.
Born and raised in Huntington Park, Ortiz graduated from UCLA with a degree in sociology and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational administration at Cal State Fullerton. Prior to her candidacy, she served as a Huntington Park city councilmember in 2015 and as mayor in 2016.
In the primary election for District 5 held in March, Karla Griego led with 36.7% of the vote, while Ortiz secured 28%. Ortiz’s campaign has since gained momentum with the endorsement of third-place finisher Fidencio Gallardo, who garnered 24% of the vote.
When asked about measures to prevent school shootings in light of the recent Georgia incident, Ortiz responded, “While the issue is serious, I am against turning campuses into prison-like environments with metal detectors. Instead, we should utilize other means, such as campus police, to prevent weapons from entering schools.”
Ortiz also pointed out the disparity in resource allocation despite the large LAUSD budget, stating, “Not all schools receive the same level of attention and support. It is crucial for Korean parents to actively participate if we want to address and change these issues.”
BY BRIAN CHOI, YOUNGNAM KIM [ichoi@koreadaily.com]