Ginsburg for the School Board

Voters in the West San Fernando Valley have a clear choice in the runoff election June 4 for a seat on the Los Angeles Board of Education. Elizabeth Ginsburg, a government and history teacher at Chatsworth High School, has far greater experience than her opponent with the day-to-day needs of students, teachers and parents. She also has the vision to help make a difference on the board. We urge her election.

Ginsburg speaks with authority about the need to attack the school dropout problem as early as the second grade. She understands the need to motivate both students and teachers so that the former will be excited by school and the latter will be recognized for creating their excitement. Ginsburg also wants to increase the number of school counselors. Not only potential dropouts but all students as well need to improve their abilities, Ginsburg argues, adding that to do so they need teachers who are well compensated and well regarded, and not overworked with huge classes.

The school board can also provide leadership in forging stronger links between the West Valley and parents in communities with overcrowded schools. Children at some of those schools will be bused into the valley; Ginsburg feels that their parents may need to be even more involved with the schools than are parents who live in the immediate neighborhood. Ginsburg also wants to encourage the business community to help schools in a variety of ways--by modernizing payroll practices, by working with students, by helping working parents provide day care for their children after school.

Elizabeth Ginsburg, far more than her opponent, has demonstrated a commitment to education and a willingness to address the weaknesses of the schools while encouraging their strengths. Hers is a voice of intelligence, and she would be an asset to the board.