Scheduling conflict prevents LAUSD Candidate Robert D. Skeels from attending United Way Forum

Post date: Mar 23, 2013 6:24:1 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2013

CONTACT: Sean Abajian, Campaign Manager

(213) 261-8651, announce@robertdskeelsforschoolboard.org

WHEN: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WHERE: LAUSD District 2

WHO: Robert D. Skeels, Candidate for LAUSD School Board

*** Scheduling conflict prevents Robert D. Skeels from attending United Way Forum ***

LOS ANGELES—On Wednesday evening Robert D. Skeels, candidate for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) School Board, will attend a meeting with Korean American senior citizens which had been scheduled in early January. The meeting's topic is how the incumbent school board member closed all of the Adult Schools in Koreatown, robbing the Korean American community of one of their most treasured resources. Attendance at this event will preclude Mr. Skeels from attending the LAUSD Candidate forum hosted by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Mr. Skeels has participated in four (4) LAUSD candidate forums, one held each month from November through February, at locations including Lincoln Heights, Pico Union/Koreatown, Boyle Heights, and El Sereno. The first three forums were sponsored by grassroots organizations including the District 2 Neighborhood Coalition, CARECEN, Parent Organization Network, and the Southern California Immigration Coalition. The latter forum was hosted by the LA32 Neighborhood Council on Monday, February 11, 2013.

Mr. Skeels and other candidates were able to debate the incumbent at both the Northeast Democratic Club held on January 16, 2013, and the LA32 Forum on February 11, 2013.

LAUSD Board of Education Candidate Robert D. Skeels issued the following statement:

"We made every effort to reschedule our meeting to accommodate tonight's forum, but as an activist the community is always my first priority. Koreatown is already underrepresented and underserved by our district, and to cancel an already scheduled meeting is not something I'm willing to do. It's unfortunate that the Chamber of Commerce and the Broad and Gates Foundation funded nonprofits, including the United Way, were unwilling to cosponsor or work with any of the grassroots organization hosting all of earlier forums that I was able to attend.

As a widely published and prolific education writer, I believe there is no other candidate in the District 2 race with more information publicly available about their principles and policy views than myself. I've written extensively on all the topics that will be discussed tonight, and I encourage everyone to visit our website or contact our campaign directly with any questions they have."

Candidate website is http://www.robertdskeelsforschoolboard.org

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Public education activist, researcher, and writer Robert D. Skeels has lived, worked, and organized in District 2 for over 18 years. He and his wife, Yoon Jung Lee, fought to save LAUSD Adult Schools. Robert's LAUSD campaign has broad community support with numerous volunteers and he is the only District 2 candidate endorsed by both United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA). He is also endorsed by several national education experts, including former US Assistant Secretary of Education, Dr. Diane Ravitch. Campaign supporters include local immigrant rights organizations, classroom teachers, and community/parent leaders.

Press Release: Scheduling conflict prevents Robert D. Skeels from attending United Way Forum by Robert D. Skeels