(Alex Reed/Neon Tommy)

Neighborhood: Downtown Los Angeles

Job: Educational Administrator

Age: 44

What are the top issues facing Los Angeles, and why?

I think one of the top issues is obviously the budget, and being able to both control spending and observe the needs of the city. There are a lot of challenges coming from the state cuts and tax space, and having been on decline. So it’s balancing the needs of the city with the expenses.

Additionally, I would say education needs to be readdressed. For me, that would be a top priority…concerns about the rise in teacher student ratio in the classroom, and interests in more educational reform, and addressing the growing [educational] gap between those who do and don’t have money. Education is the single most proven way to get out of poverty and create opportunity.

What could Mayor Garcetti do to address these educational issues?

I think there needs to be a balance in negotiations with the teachers’ union. There’s a lot of resistance from the unions about reform, and resistance to the judgment of teacher performance. [Garcetti] will have to work closely with the teachers’ unions.

What specifically do you have in mind?

We have to give teachers a fair chance to perform satisfactorily, but we also have to be more willing to get rid of bad teachers. This also means that we have to have a lot of other good teachers in the pipeline. Having really strong relationships with the local universities with teacher education programs and working closely with alliances in the city [allows for] more quality teachers.

There also just has to be more money from the state and the government going towards education. Money is not the only answer, but without funding, there’s no way that public schools can provide students with what they need.

Did you vote in the May election?

I did not vote in this election, but I do support Garcetti as mayor. I think it was a good choice.

Contact Staff Reporter Alex Reed here.