Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
UPDATE
Week of June 9, 2008
TWO CAPTAINS AND ONE SHIP EQUALS A SHIPWRECK
The Beaudry Ship (some might say ark) is commanded presently by two captains.
One steers the ship from the 24th Floor while the other one guides from the 11th
Floor. Under normal school district circumstances, the Senior Deputy
Superintendent and the Superintendent of Schools would sit side by side at meetings
with senior staff. Apparently, such is not the case at Beaudry. Every other Friday,
the Senior Deputy Superintendent meets with the Local District Superintendents,
and on the alternate Fridays, the Superintendent meets with the same group. Neither
attends the other’s meetings.
The Senior Deputy Superintendent has almost all senior staff reporting directly to
him. This begs the question of why we need a Superintendent or should the Senior
Deputy become the Superintendent. Recently, the Senior Deputy Superintendent,
who has been back in the District approximately two months, published an
organization chart that AALA hopes will evolve into a meaningful management
structure.
It is unfortunate for those staff members who may receive different marching orders
depending upon which "captain" provides daily directions. An example of a
collision course is when the Superintendent indicates there may be a need to
furlough all employees and the Senior Deputy Superintendent indicates that the
need may only exist to furlough upper echelon staff. Reasonable line-staff
relationships dictate that this matter should have been addressed behind closed
doors and a unified message arrived at, before going public.
AALA’s many friends described the current District structure as "constant bearing,
decreasing range." Translated – The ships are headed for a collision. And, "in
extremis." Translated – Both ships must take action to avoid collision. For the sake
of students and staff, AALA sincerely hopes that one captain will emerge so that the
good ship Beaudry does not flounder on the rocky shoals of confusion and
ineptitude.
1
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
HOW TO SERVE AS A GOOD SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
1. Arrive early and make up for it by staying late.
2. Walk your campus a minimum of three times a day during instructional hours.
3. Interact with students (and staff) before school, during nutrition, during lunch and after school.
4. Schedule 20-25 minute class visitations to speak and listen to students–ten minutes to talk about school pride,
5. opportunities for activities, jobs, school issues and scholarships, and-10-15 minutes for Q & A from students.
6. Establish a “weekend reading” file.
7. Establish a list of things to do on Sunday for the forthcoming week.
8. On the weekend, write 2-3 complimentary notes to students (mail home) and a few notes to teachers and other staff
members–proper recognition causes personnel to be more motivated on behalf of students.
9. Address adult issues as they occur.
10. Wait 24 hours before acting if you feel anger towards a person.
11. Return calls and E-mails within 24 hours of receiving them.
12. Establish a regular communication system with parents and community members (Connect Ed., newsletters, local
papers, reporters, etc.).
13. Establish a well-structured discipline code that is well-publicized and shared with school staff, students and parents.
14. Establish a strong supervision program using certificated and classified personnel (utilize hand-held radios, etc.).
15. Establish a positive working relationship with school police, LAPD, and/or other police agencies.
16. Visit 2 to 3 classrooms a week.
17. Establish a weekly extended-staff meeting with a prepared agenda–include administrative team, key coordinators,
chapter chairs, plant manager, and administrative assistant.
18. Allow for any extended-staff members to contribute to the agenda.
19. Don’t fly alone on key personnel issues–include staff relations and your director and perhaps your Local District
Superintendent.
20. Encourage and support student government/attend meetings whenever possible.
21. Create a systemic means to address staff/parent/student complaints, suggestions and/or repairs.
22. Acknowledge all school personnel including crossing guards.
2
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
EIGHTEEN COMPLETE LAUSD/AALA
COLLABORATIVE TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR
PROSPECTIVE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS,
SECONDARY COUNSELING SERVICES
Maria Wale, Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Support Services, Gina Smith-DeVille, Director,
LAUSD Leadership Academy, and Mike O'Sullivan, President, AALA, presented Culmination certificates
on Thursday, May 29, to eighteen District staff members for successful participation in the comprehensive
APSCS Training Institute collaboratively presented by LAUSD and AALA. Those honored were Patricia
Amirouche, Belmont HS; Chilavo Anderson, Miguel Contreras LC; Michelle Castro, Belmont HS;
Jayne Cuda, Palms MS; Ladan Farahmand, Emerson MS; Jeanne Gamba, APSSS, John Liechty MS;
Becky Garcia, Sepulveda MS; Loretta Hultman, Roosevelt HS; Judith Kurose, Berendo MS; Lisa
Lewis, West Adams Preparatory HS; Alicia Romero, LA Academy MS; Brian Spencer, Dana MS;
Cristina Serrano, AP, Roy Romer MS; Aura Talley, Maywood Academy HS; Orlena Techo, Markham
MS; Jenna Washington, Fremont HS; Arlene Weissman, Palms MS; and Mark Woodhouse, Verdugo
Hills HS. Consensus of the participants was that the APSCS Institute provided them with excellent
leadership training to allow them to manage the APSCS position successfully. It also helped them to
expand their professional "network." They were all pleased to be a member of the eighth cohort to receive
this training.
LAUSD and AALA would like to thank the following District staff for presenting informative Institute
sessions: Vicki Montez, Director, School Management Services; Victoria Marino, Director, Salary
Allocations; Margarita Hemmans, Senior Administrative Assistant, Credentials and Contracts; Colleen
Mori, Interim Assistant Director, Credentials and Contracts; Carolina Rangel, CCA Supervisor; Andres
Equihua, Personnel Specialist, Certificated Placement & Assignments; Sharon Oh, Coordinator, Staff
Relations, Local District 7; Steve Quon, Field Director, High Priority High Schools; Nancy Concha,
Specialist, Language Acquisition Branch; Stan Terasaka, APSCS, Dana MS; Shelley Loftus, School
Improvement Facilitator, Local District 2; Jim Bryan, Retired APSCS Mentor; Alan Good, Coordinator,
Secondary SIS; Al Hemenway, Retired Specialist, Secondary SIS; Donna Burns, Math Coach, Los
Angeles High School; John Bailey, Math Coordinator, Local District 3; Janet Lord, APSCS, Eagle Rock
HS; William Gurr, LEAD Administrative Intern (prior Literacy Expert, Local District 4), Berendo MS;
Ron Klemp, Secondary Literacy Coordinator; Jim Kodani, Director, Local District 4; Chad Fenwick,
Physical Education Specialist, Secondary Instruction; and Larry Tash, Director, Office of School
Redesign. The Institute facilitators were Marion Hogue, Coordinator, Leadership Academy and Jane
Pollock, AALA Consultant. Judi O'Sullivan, Julie Ronquillo, Jim Bryan, APSCS Mentors, Cindy
Cordova, Secondary Coordinator, Local District 5, and Shelley Loftus, School Improvement Facilitator,
Local District 2, assisted them. A special thanks also to the other members of the Leadership Academy
staff, Penny Brown, Desdra Butler, Dana Perryman, and Lynn Williams, Coordinators, and Chris
Mendez, ITAC, for their invaluable support.
3
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
HEROES AND TEACHERS
Former Superintendents of Schools Dr. William Johnston (LAUSD) and Dr. Paul Possemato (Laguna
Beach USD and Inglewood USD) along with Dr. Michael Johnston have co-authored a recently published
book titled Heroes and Teachers. This collection of stories presents a representative sample of the men and
women who served as soldiers, sailors, marines, and flyers in World War II, and it portrays their
experiences, their examples of patriotism, their acts of courage, their sacrifices in defense of the United
States, and their subsequent service to the thousands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School
District. Heroes and Teachers can be ordered by telephone at: 888.280.7715 or by email at
bkorders@authorhouse.com. The cost of the book is $33.90 with the net profit, after expenses, on the sale
of each book donated to the Los Angeles Unified School District All-City Honors Band, an organization
established by Dr. Johnston when he served as Superintendent of Schools.
CONGRATULATIONS CHEVIOT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Cheviot Hills High School has been involved with an organization called Urban Land Institute
(http://www.uli-la.org). It is a group of professionals in the world of urban planning and development that
give their time to teams of high school students in order to help them learn about urban planning and assist
them in creating a project to renew an impoverished area of Los Angeles.
The students were given the task of taking an impoverished area of Los Angeles and creating an "oasis"
community. Each student had a particular assignment. One was the architect; another was the CFO; and so
on. The students worked together as a team for several weeks. Professionals from various disciplines
volunteered their time to help students with the project.
On Wednesday May 28, 2008, Cheviot Hills had two teams present to three judges who are experts in the
fields related to urban redevelopment. One of the teams was chosen to present their project in the final
competition among many schools in LAUSD. Cheviot Hills was the first Options School to be in the
competition and the students received high unofficial marks from the judges.
Congratulations to Principal Rob Eiseman, teacher Kalina Noelle, and the Cheviot Hills Staff for their
outstanding work.
"I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal
education."
-- Tallulah Bankhead
4
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
FAREWELL TO SAM KRESNER
Sam Kresner is retiring after serving for 15 years as chairperson of the District’s Health Benefits
Committee. Sam was instrumental in establishing this unique committee that brought all bargaining units
to the table equally to set guidelines for active employee and eligible retiree health benefits. For the past
two years, Sam has served as the chair of the coordinated bargaining coalition health benefits
negotiations that involves the active participation of all eight bargaining units. Sam will definitely be
missed.
At the Health Benefits Committee meeting on June 9, 2008, Thomas Beatty, formerly of SEIU Local 99,
was elected by consensus to serve as chair of the Health Benefits Committee as well as chair of the
coordinated bargaining coalition for health benefits negotiations with the District. Julie Washington,
UTLA Elementary Vice President, and Dan Basalone, AALA Staff Administrator, were elected by
consensus to serve as Vice Co-chairs. Thomas Beatty has served as co-chair with Sam for health benefits
negotiations and has vast experience as a union leader dealing with employee benefits. The Health
Benefits Committee is most fortunate to have Tom’s leadership.
AALA thanks Sam Kresner for his many years of service to all employees of the Los Angeles Unified
School District and wishes him a very happy retirement.
"MAKE EACH DAY YOUR MASTERPIECE"
On June 6, 2008, a mural depicting the life of Coach John R. Wooden was unveiled at John R. Wooden
High School. Congratulations to Principal Jay Kessler and staff for creating the mural through the artistic
ability of Artist Hector Rios. Coach Wooden’s comments were as always most appropriate and centered
on his theme and the school’s motto, “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece.” Coach Wooden stated: “If you
sincerely try to do your best to make each day a masterpiece, angels can do no better.” Our compliments
to Board Member Tamar Galatzan for her wonderful remarks at the dedication ceremony.
REMINDER TO RSVP
Division of Adult and Career Education
YEAR-END LUNCHEON
The Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium
Monday, June 23, 2008, 11:30 a.m.
COST: $29 per person (make check payable to AALA)
Please RSVP TODAY to Gema Pivaral at 213.484.2226 or
gpivaral@aala.us
5
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
NEW SCHOOLS
The Edward R. Roybal Learning Center has had several names – Belmont, Vista Hermosa – but when it
opens this September, it will finally be much more than a storied construction site. It will be a state-of-the-
art school relieving a long overcrowded area in the District, and one of seven schools opening this fall as
part of LAUSD’s $20.3 Billion New School Construction and Modernization Program.
The progress this new school brings will be tangible at Belmont High School, which will be able to
operate on a single-track calendar for the first time in nearly 30 years.
“This school year marked the end of forced busing for hundreds of students living in the Belmont area,”
Local District Superintendent Richard Alonzo said. “Next year we'll celebrate the end of over twenty-
seven years of a year-round calendar at Belmont HS. These are two momentous reasons to applaud the
LAUSD building program.”
The 2,808-seat new high school consists of seven separate small learning communities, each with its own
administration. A separate building houses a library, cafeteria, auditorium, and a parent/student center.
The campus also features a large gymnasium with locker rooms and outdoor athletic facilities.
The Edward R. Roybal Learning Center is an integral part of an overall plan to end involuntary busing and
to return students to neighborhood schools. Miguel Contreras Learning Center, West Adams Prep and the
yet to be completed Central Los Angeles Area High School #9 are three other state-of-the-art schools in
the Downtown Los Angeles area that together will bring a traditionally underserved part of Los Angeles
educational facilities appropriate to LAUSD’s mission to educate and inspire the 21st century workforce.
Other facilities opening across the District this September include: Roy Romer Middle School, the new
Byrd Middle School, Helen Bernstein High School, Enadia Way Elementary School, Manual Arts New
Primary Center, and Hollywood New Continuation High School #1.
For more information about LAUSD’s $20.3 Billion New School Construction and Modernization
Program, please visit www.laschools.org.
IN MEMORIAM
NIRA BLACK – Former Principal of Gledhill and Winnetka schools. She retired on June 30, 1997, and
passed away on May 31, 2008.
RUTH BOLIN – Former Administrator at Porter Junior High (Middle School). She retired on
January 29, 1973, and passed away in May 2008.
6
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Minimum Qualifications: Candidates are responsible for making sure all the District requirements for
administrative positions have been met. AALA is not responsible for errors in publication.
NOTE: Please do not contact AALA for information regarding administrative positions. Use the listed
contact phone number, or contact LAUSD Human Resources Division at 213.241.6886 or via e-mail at
http://certificated.lausd.k12.ca.us/admin_vacancies.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, SECONDARY COUNSELING SERVICES
Kennedy High School (1) MST 40, 11254 Gothic Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344
Kennedy is a B Basis school. For information and application procedures contact Kathy Rattay, Director,
High School Services, at 818.654.3673. Filing deadline EXTENDED TO Friday, June 27, 2008.
ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR, SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES (Temp. Adv., MST 45, A Basis)
Local District 1, 6621 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406 818.654.3600
Responsibilities include assisting in the administration and supervision of elementary schools, assisting in
the development and implementation of policies, programs, and strategic plans, and mentoring and
evaluating principals. Requires 8 years of full-time public school certificated experience, with 3 years as a
successful principal. For information and application procedures contact Jean Brown, Superintendent.
Filing deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2008.
COORDINATOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (Temp. Adv., MST 43, A Basis)
Local District 1, 6621 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406 818.654.3600
Responsibilities include providing operational leadership and support to schools by guiding and informing
principals, school staffs, and parents. Requires 8 years of full-time public school certificated experience,
with 2 years in a management position. For information and application procedures contact Marla
Mondheim, Administrator, Instructional Services. Filing deadline is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 24, 2008.
RETIREMENT CELEBRATIONS
Name Date/Time Location Contact
Jackie HILL Friday, June 27, 2008 Chester Washington Golf Course Marilyn Gavin
(formerly HENRY) 7:30 – 12:00 p.m. 1930 W. 120th Street 310.345.0758
Los Angeles
Alexandra "Niki" Selna Monday, June 23, 2008 Tatou Nancy Lovette
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 333 S. Boylston Street 213.241.3503
Corner of Bixel & 4th St.
Los Angeles
7
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
CONGRATULATIONS LEAD GRADUATES
The LAUSD Leadership Academy held a culmination for the 6th cohort of LEAD graduates on June 9,
2008. AALA extends congratulations to the graduates, mentor principals, mentor coaches (retired
administrators) and the staff of the Leadership Academy. Graduates included: Antonio Aguilar, Bobbie
Anderson, Jr., Susie Avakian, Keisha Bennett-Moton, Tyra Brookins-Henderson, Gloria
Buenrostro, Crystal Campbell-Shirley, Leigh Ann Creary, Eva Fuller, Jemima Galiano, Carolina
Gonzalez, Mark Greenbaum, William Gurr, Osbaldo Jimenez, Sheryl Lee, Pamella LeMuiex,
Joseph Moche, Christine Moore, Aleta Parker-Taylor, Beverly Pearson, Rodney Powell, Kimberly
Reems, Dana Rivers, Olivia Robledo, Roxanne Shires, Sonna A. Udealor, Diana Vides and
Christopher Washington. Mentor principals were: Nanetta Arceneaux, George Bartleson, Robert
Bilovsky, Joan Blair, Linda Calvo, Mary Campbell, Genaro Carapia, Stephen Edo, Sergio Franco,
Grace Fuller, Melinda Goodall, Gilbert Gutierrez, Mary Hall, Linda Ibach, Marcia Jackman,
Margaret Just, Kenneth Lee, Rosalinda Lugo, Linda McClellan, Jean Mitchell, Kimberly Noble,
Judith Perez, JoAnne Polite, Marcia Reed, Jeanette Rodriguez-Chien, Natividad Rozsa, Mercedes
Santoyo and Marsha Thomas. Retired administrators who served as coaches were: Shirley DiRado, Ron
Frydman and Marilyn Steuben. The Leadership Academy staff is composed of: Gina Smith-DeVille,
Director; Penny Brown and Desdra Butler, LEAD Program Coodinators; Marion Hogue, Dana
Perryman and Lynn Williams, Leadership Academy Coordinators; Cynthia Moore, Principal Clerk;
Maria S. Gonzalez and Sonia Silva, Senior Secretaries; and Chris Mendez, ITAF. Dr. Ronni Ephraim,
Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Maria Wales, Assistant Superintendent; and, Dr. Michael O’Sullivan,
President of AALA, congratulated the graduates and handed them their certificates of completion. AALA
extends CONGRATULATIONS to the graduates and everyone in the LEAD Leadership Academy
program.
40 YEARS LATER: Remembering Senator Robert F. Kennedy
On the 40th anniversary of the death of Robert Francis Kennedy, the NewsBlast pauses to remember his
legacy of fighting to reduce poverty and improve the health, education and welfare of children. Senator
Kennedy died in the early hours of June 6, 1968, at the age of 42 years old, shortly after claiming victory
in California's crucial Democratic primary. He leveraged his political talents and moral voice to address
the needs of the dispossessed and powerless in America -- the poor, the young, racial minorities and
Native Americans. He sought to bring the facts about poverty to the conscience of the American people,
journeying into urban ghettos, Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta and migrant workers' camps. "There are
children in the Mississippi Delta," he said, "whose bellies are swollen with hunger... Many of them cannot
go to school because they have no clothes or shoes. These conditions are not confined to rural Mississippi.
They exist in dark tenements in Washington, D.C., within sight of the Capitol, in Harlem, in South Side
Chicago, in Watts. There are children in each of these areas who have never been to school, never seen a
doctor or a dentist. There are children who have never heard conversation in their homes, never read or
even seen a book." He challenged the complacent in American society and sought to bridge the great
divides in American life -- between the races, between the poor and the more affluent, between young and
old, between order and dissent.
http://www.rfkmemorial.org/lifevision/biography/
8