The campaign spending in District 3 is heating up as the election nears, with two major camps, the teachers union and supporters of charter schools, pouring money into the race. In the primary, an independent campaign funded by United Teachers Los Angeles supported Schmerelson with $785,000, while an independent campaign for Chang received $870,000. In the general election cycle, the teachers union has spent over $355,000 for Schmerelson, while Chang’s campaign has received more than $2.48 million from Bill Bloomfield, a retired businessman aligned with the California Charter Schools Assn.
Chang has tried to link Schmerelson to alleged wrongdoing, including a case where eighth-graders were falsely recorded as present on the last day of school in 2023, resulting in extra state funds for the district. Chang has also accused Schmerelson of neglecting oversight duties in ensuring accurate attendance. Schmerelson, however, insists that accurate attendance tracking is mandatory for student safety and learning.
The candidates have also sparred over issues such as the use of pesticides on campus, with environmental activists accusing the district of slipping in its commitment to avoid dangerous chemicals. Schmerelson counters that he has led efforts to limit and safely manage pesticide use. Other issues in the campaign include the role of school police and allegations of misspent funding on arts instruction.
The candidates have addressed these issues through questionnaires, emails, campaign websites, and public forums. The race is shaping up to be a battle over the direction of the district related to charter schools, with both sides investing heavily to secure victory.
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