In 1999 Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and billionaire Eli Broad helped elect a new reform-minded school board for the L.A Unified school district. The teachers unions have fought back, though, and on March 4, two union-backed candidates defeated reformist incumbents supported by Riordan and Broad (and their political action committee, the Coalition for Kids) for seats on the school board. Another race, involving union-backed incumbent David Tokofsky, is still too close to call, but if he retains his seat, union-supported candidates would control four seats on the seven-member board. The success of the union-backed candidates was attributed to the union's willingness to outspend the Coalition for Kids, $1.4 million to $1.1 million. Union-backed board members have already promised to win teachers pay raises and to reduce class sizes in grades four through 12, despite state budget cuts.
"Teachers Union Wins Back the Power in L.A. Schools," by Solomon Moore and David Pierson, Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2003
"Runoff looms in narrowing schools race," by David Pierson, The Los Angeles Times, March 7, 2003