What's Happening?
Darryn Harris, a former aide to U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, is currently running for Seat 4 on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. Harris, who is 42 years old and works as a community
college educator and government and community affairs officer for St. John’s Community Health, recently began teaching a student skills class at Santa Monica College. His experience includes working at UCLA and in the halls of Congress. He emphasizes his background in public service, stating his understanding of government operations, budget and policy decisions, and his ability to foster collaboration. The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is the largest in California and one of the largest in the nation, overseeing approximately 200,000 students and an annual budget of around $10 billion across nine colleges. Seven candidates are vying for this particular seat on the board.
Why It's Important?
The election for the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees Seat 4 is significant due to the district's substantial size and influence, impacting a vast student population and managing a considerable budget. The board members will confront critical issues, including addressing the high cost of living in Los Angeles County, which makes it challenging for students to afford basic needs like housing and food, thereby hindering their educational progress. Enrollment, despite recent increases, remains below pre-pandemic levels, directly affecting state funding which is tied to student numbers. Harris's platform focuses on tackling affordability by advocating for more low-cost housing on district land and enhancing support for basic student needs such as food, transportation, and childcare. His proposals also aim to boost student success through improved counseling, transfer support, and career training, including partnerships with employers and labor organizations. His experience in congressional offices and community affairs could bring a unique perspective to navigating the complex financial and social challenges facing the district.
What's Next?
The seven candidates, including Darryn Harris, will continue their campaigns for Seat 4 on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. If elected, Harris plans to prioritize addressing the affordability crisis for students by building more low-cost housing and expanding support for basic needs. He also intends to focus on improving student success through better counseling, transfer assistance, and career training, including forging partnerships with employers and labor. Harris has indicated a commitment to listening to students, faculty, and staff before making major decisions, emphasizing a collaborative approach to governance. He also plans to aggressively pursue additional partnerships and government funds to bring more resources into the colleges and scrutinize administrative costs, consultants, and construction spending before considering cuts to classes or student services. The outcome of this election will determine the future direction of policies affecting a significant portion of California's community college student body.
Beyond the Headlines
The candidacy of Darryn Harris, a former congressional aide, for a community college board seat highlights a broader trend of individuals with experience in higher levels of government seeking to apply their skills to local educational governance. This move could signify a recognition of the critical role community colleges play in workforce development, social mobility, and addressing local economic disparities. The challenges faced by the Los Angeles Community College District, such as student housing and food insecurity, reflect systemic issues that extend beyond education into broader societal and economic structures. The emphasis on securing additional government funds and partnerships also underscores the increasing reliance of educational institutions on external support to meet student needs and maintain operational stability. The election's focus on student basic needs and career readiness points to an evolving understanding of education's role, moving beyond traditional academic instruction to encompass comprehensive support systems that enable students to succeed in a competitive and costly urban environment.
