Sun Valley : Parents Stage Protest at Middle School

Angry that school district officials won’t acknowledge their decision-making power, a group of parents organized a protest Thursday at Sun Valley Middle School that kept more than 350 students out of class for a brief time.

The group objected to Los Angeles public schools Supt. Sid Thompson’s decision this week to pick a new principal for the school from an eligibility list and ignore Assistant Principal Manny Rangell, whom parents have lobbied for since May.

“They have to respect our decision,” said Pilar Ortiz, a Rangell supporter. “We’re just not going to go away.”

The peaceful, hastily organized demonstration occurred at the end of the campus lunch hour. Fifteen parents asked students to meet near the school’s basketball courts to show their support for Rangell.

Youths sat in groups on the campus athletic field, chatting quietly and cheering when they saw adult organizers they recognized. Campus officials quietly reminded students they would be marked absent, but didn’t block them from participating.

Organizers sent the students back to class after about 10 minutes.

“We are sending a message,” said parent Flora Cole. “Mr. Thompson has made a habit of not listening to us. It’s time we do what’s best for the students.”

Parents are especially frustrated because the campus is part of the Los Angeles Educational Alliance for Restructuring Now (LEARN) program, which theoretically offers more local control.

Sherry Noland, teachers’ representative at the school, called the decision “a slap in the face” to parents.

“When we make the decision and they happen to agree with it, then we are a LEARN school,” Noland said. “When we make a decision they don’t agree with, then we aren’t a LEARN school. That’s no kind of reform.”

District officials say they are actually following LEARN guidelines, however, which require choosing a principal who has passed a qualifying exam. Rangell has not taken that exam, which isn’t due to be offered again for another two years.

“Honestly, it really comes down to a precedent,” said Brad Sales, district spokesman. “Once you make an exception . . . “

Parents and school officials are trying to arrange a time to meet to discuss the issue next week.

“We are not giving up this time,” Cole said.