He’s a man with a plan for schools

About three tenured teachers have been dismissed from the district in the past 12 years, and as a recent La Cañada High School graduate, I can assure you that this is not a product of flawless teaching. This is due in part to the 100-plus-page contract that protects even the worst of our teachers, and it is also due to the stagnancy of current school board members who are unwilling to tackle such convoluted legalities.

As the school board elections draw closer, it is more important than ever to elect candidates that will actively bring innovative change to our schools. Andrew Blumenfeld has fought for education reform for more than two years, both at Princeton University and at home in California, and would animate the school board to achieve more than it has in years.

Blumenfeld graduated from La Cañada High School in 2009, and while that makes some parents of the community uneasy, it makes the students profoundly confident. He has more than simply the ability to listen to parents and students in the community; he has a plan to make sure those complaints produce action and results.

Blumenfeld is not only in tune with the reality of education in La Cañada, he has the experience and passion to improve upon it. I have long been a critic of La Cañada schools, but with Blumenfeld, I see the possibility of real reform and I am excited that he has dedicated his time to securing it.

As election day nears, I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with Blumenfeld’s platform (available on his website www.ajblumenfeld.com), watch his videos, ask him questions, and see if he can’t convince you that he is the absolute best candidate for our schools.

Emily Michael

Pasadena