Community Team Gets Thumbs Up from Schools Chief to Run New Middle School

Los Angeles Unified Schools District superintendent Ramon Cortines has weighed in on who should manage the new middle school, CRES #14, set to open in Echo Park this fall.

The superintendent released a report on Thursday saying he recommended "with reservations" a team of teachers and administrators calling themselves Local District 4/Echo Park CommunityPartners to oversee curriculum and management of the nearly $69 million dollar facility.

The group is competing with Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, an experienced charter operator with a strong record of success.

Gabriela Waterman, a parent who has helped with the community plan, said the superintendent may have reservations because the plan is still developing.

"The partnership being formed between the design team, parents, and community will create a very cohesive existence that will not allow any one group to dominate the process of how the school will be run," she added.

The LAUSD board, who has the final say, is set to take up the matter Tuesday at its next meeting.

"I am glad to see that good old fashioned organizing is alive and well," said Echo Greater Echo Park Elysian neighborhood council president Jose Sigala." The parents, teachers and community members worked hard to gain support for their [plan]."

"I plan to call my school board member and share my support for the recommendation," he added.

The superintendent released a number of recommendations Thursday about who should run new and resdesigned schools in the school district.

Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the California Charter School Association said in a statement that "in several instances it is clear that [the superintendent] has not fully taken into account the track record of applicants, the expressed desire of parents and the recommendations of his own independent reviewers."

 “Fortunately," he added, "the members of the LAUSD board of education will have an opportunity to review his recommendations."

Several reviewers advising the superintendent had strongly recommended Camino Nuevo's application.

The ommunity plan won by a decisive margin in a nonbinding election held in January, though a good number of parents voting in the election supported Camino Nuevo.

Parents in favor of the local team also have recently presented a petition supported by over 600 signatures to school board members.

Camino Nuevo supporters have also reportedly delivered about 700 letters of support to board members.

In his report Thursday, Cortines also recommended who should run the five academies planned for a new Glassell Park high school campus that some Echo Park children may attend.  A new L.A. River School-focused academy was among them.