Panelists David Tokofsky, strategist for Associated Administrators of Los Angeles(left),  
Rowland Unified School District Superintendent Maria Ott (center) and LA
Times education reporter Howard Blume. (Natalie Ragus)

Two notable absences stood out at the Educational Forum with the candidates for state superintendent of public instruction on Thursday at the Central L.A. Area New High School No. 9 for Visual and Performing Arts.

The first, and perhaps the more glaring, was symbolized by the empty seat on the stage.  

Front-runner State Sen. Gloria Romero did not show up, though her name tag and water bottle remained on the table between her competitors, Assemblyman Tom Torlakson from Contra Costa and retired San Jose and San Diego superintendent Larry Aceves, throughout the discussion.

"It was a poor showing on Sen. Romero's part to not be here, to not be heard, and to not get involved in the public dialogue," said Rich Malfatti, a former superintendent in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and a current member services representative for the Association of California School Administrators.

Romero did not return calls seeking comment.

Hosted by the Association of California School Administrators Region 16 and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, the forum provided a platform for the candidates to address educators and parents in preparation for the election on June 8.

Torlakson and Aceves touched on accountability for charter schools, teacher evaluation, and the challenges of educating an increasing English Language Learner (ELL) student population.

Torlakson, who claimed both educational and political experience, emphasized the need to work with the state legislature to get more funds for public education.

Under the slogan "it's time for a superintendent to be superintendent," Aceves touted a close relationship with the classroom. He said that, if elected, he would focus on closing the achievement gap and reducing the dropout rate.

"A lot of content issues came out. The policy stuff was out there," said David Tokofsky, a strategist for Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. "By and large, in an hour and a half, you got a lot of the texture of the issues."

Although the candidates' words did not fall on deaf ears, it certainly did not fall on very many.

The second marked absence was that of a large audience.

About 75 people filed into the auditorium that seats several hundred.  

"I think it was very difficult for teachers, and administrators, and all of the other union folks who supported this to get away from their jobs," said Malfatti.

Angel Barrett, the principal of Plummer Elementary School and president of the Association of California School Administrators Region 16, was not disheartened by the small crowd.

"We had a lot of key people out here to hear the information that will carry it back [to their respective organizations,]" Barrett said.

The audience was made up mainly of educators. Several people submitted question cards during the second portion of the forum.

"I don't know if large numbers would have enhanced the debate or the field of questions," Tokofsky said. However, he added that a more diverse audience would have been beneficial.

Since few parents were in attendance, the candidates focused on the concerns of educators.

However, parents will have another chance to be heard. Another forum is planned for April or May, at which Tokofsky expects a larger audience.

And he is more concerned with the other attendance problem, anyways.

"If Sen. Romero doesn't show up again, then it's not a question of the attendance, it's really a strategy of her campaign, which is 'I have no constituency. I'm just going to go on TV and demagogue it,'" Tokofsky said.