Echo Park Moms, Camino Nuevo Camp Out at Board of Education

Supporters of both teams bidding to manage the new middle school in Echo Park spent the night outside the LAUSD headquarters Monday. They were holding places to be one of approximately 130 who will be allowed inside Tuesday afternoon when the trustees vote.

Echo Park parents Micki Curtis and Windy O'Malley were there by 7:45 p.m to snag one of the 13 open speakers slots as well. They had sleeping bags and air matresses and were ready to spend the night.

The board will vote on the fate of 13 different campuses around the city Tuesday afternoon, including Community Regional Elementary School No. 14 located on Mohawk Street just off Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. 

Outgoing schools superintendent Ramon Cortines recently recommended--with reservations--a team of parents, educators and residents working with LAUSD District 4 to manage the new campus. Charter operator Camino Nuevo Academy, which runs four campuses near downtown L.A. already, is also in the running for the project, and was highly recommended by some preliminary reviewers.

Julie Van Winkel, a teacher who worked on the community plan, said, "There are some great ideas that came out of the process of working together. It's a unique opportunity for the community."

Camino Nuevo also was represented in line by parents and employees at some of the charter operator's existing campuses.

"Whether we get the school or not, we'd love to collaborate," said Hua Truong, operations director of Camino Nuevo, outside the board headquarters Monday night.   

"What the turnout here shows is that the [chance to bid on these campuses] has gotten a lot of people involved and interested," he added.