LAUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 3

Candidates: Scott Mark Schmerelson (incumbent),

Dan Chang, Elizabeth Badger, Andreas Farmakalidis, Raquel Villata.

Term length: 4 years.

District boundaries: North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Mission Hills, Porter Ranch, Reseda.

Key issues: Declining enrollment, public safety, the achievement gap.

Griffith Middle School in East Los Angeles for five years. He was principal at Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth also for five years and retired as principal of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Middle School in South Los Angeles.

Schmerelson wants to adopt a reading curriculum that reflects a “new understanding” of the way children learn, and wisely using state arts funding, according to his campaign website.

“I want a school system that cares for the whole child and expands the opportunities for every student to learn,” he wrote on his campaign website. “That means more enriched learning programs, extended days and summer programs, foreign languages, global citizenry and real-world experiences.”

Villalta of Mission Hills is an educator who has children in the district. She began her teaching career in 2006 and has worked with students from kindergarten to sixth grade.

Villalta helps mentor new teachers and is an advocate at her children's schools, serving on parentteacher committees and the School Site Council. She also has been involved in Cub Scouts and church ministries.

She was placed on unpaid leave after she refused, citing a religious exemption, to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to her campaign website.

If elected, according to her campaign website, Villalta would work to honor parental rights, increase student achievement, increase financial transparency and improve public safety.

“Her profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in education, combined with her passion for student success, makes her an ideal candidate to represent District 3 on the LAUSD School Board,” her campaign website said. “With her as a champion for our children's education, we can look forward to a brighter future for all students in the district.”