Proud of track record, Jeffries running for reelection to LCUSD school board
Dan Jeffries, a father of five who put two kids through private schools and now has three enrolled in La Cañada Unified, has always been impressed with the quality of instruction and learning offered by the public school district.
“Our impression and experience of La Cañada public schools is beyond compare,” said Jeffries, who moved to the city from Pasadena with wife Andrea in 2004.
But it wasn’t until 2012, when daughter Sara was enrolled in Pam Daniger’s transitional kindergarten class that Jeffries would be inspired to run for a seat on the La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board.
“Ms. Daniger was warm, friendly and welcoming to all the kids. She knew just what to do with them,” he recalled, learning only later the teacher had just started the program and was scrambling to learn the ropes.
“That just really inspired me that we’ve got teachers so dedicated, so hardworking they can pull off something like that,” he continued. “I felt [serving on the board] would be a good opportunity to give back to our schools.”
Now, with son Ian in eighth grade at La Cañada High School 7/8 and son Dylan and daughter Sara enrolled in sixth and fourth grade, respectively, at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, the 59-year-old school board president seeks a second term. He and fellow incumbent Kaitzer Puglia are up against three challengers for three open seats in the Nov. 7 election.
A prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office for the past 32 years, Jeffries wants to build upon what he believes has been a solid school board track record exhibited in the past four years.
He recounted last year’s contract talks with teachers over salary increases and a revised pay schedule. Although negotiations became contentious at times, Jeffries said the process highlighted the importance of fairly compensating LCUSD teachers.
He also praised a May decision by the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization granting preliminary approval of a petition calling for the transfer of homes in La Cañada’s Sagebrush territory from Glendale Unified into LCUSD boundaries.
“We need a chance to see if we can fix this historic wrong,” Jeffries said, citing potential enrollment benefits. “If we can’t maintain a certain number of students, we can’t offer the same programs at the high school.”
Still on the horizon, he said, is rebuilding campuses to meet 21st-century learning and technology needs — the impetus for the $149-million Measure LCF bond on November’s ballot — and surveying families about the impact of pushing the high school start time from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.
“In our household, it’s been wonderful to have that extra amount of time,” he said. “But we need to hear from everyone.”
For more information, visit dan4lacanadaschools.org.
Twitter: @SaraCardine
