The current school board president of Compton made bold claims in video blog that's gaining traction as elections for his role loom, saying that the district - one of the poorest performing in the state - has made a major turnaround.
Micah Ali, current school board president, said Compton schools are a great American success story.
"The Compton Unified School District has turned around by leaps and bounds," Ali said in a video blog.
Ali, up for re-election next Tuesday, said the proof of a turnaround includes eliminating a $30 million deficit, two Compton schools awarded with National Blue Ribbon, and a series of academic achievements.
"Two students won a national science award for the development of a prosthetic limb," Ali said.
But the district was also being sued for allegedly failing to help students traumatized by violence and discrimination, in addition to its test scores being among the lowest in California.
A year ago, teachers also held a “sick out” protest. Teachers were also laid off, but Ali said most of the teachers got their jobs back.
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"Compton students are struggling but largely because of the dysfunctional and out of touch leadership. We have a school board election coming up that we hope will change that," the teachers' union president said in a statement.
The teachers union declined a request for an interview.
“Of course we cannot negate the fact there is continuous need for improvement but cannot share away from what we have accomplished here in Compton," Ali said.
Josephene Ramirez has three daughters who began attending Compton schools this year. She said she worried about its negative reputation but has been pleasantly surprised.
"They’re very involved with our children," Ramirez said. "Communication with teachers and parents is very awesome. They keep us involved and informed. The kids are doing great."
Three seats are up for grabs in the election this coming Tuesday, including Ali’s, with more than 20 people running.
