Howard Blume
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Past articles by Howard:
$750,000 in overtime: How a group of LAUSD employees abused extra-pay practices
Senior LAUSD administrators were among at least 10 who were demoted, reassigned or left the district after a probe of unusually high, poorly documented extra pay. → Read More
Orange Unified board approves parental notification when a student identifies as transgender
Orange Unified becomes the sixth California school system to require notification of parents when their child identifies as transgender. → Read More
California approves math overhaul to help struggling students. But will it hurt whiz kids?
Supporters say proposed state K-12 framework will make higher-level math accessible to more. Critics contend it will make poor math outcomes worse. → Read More
School stabbings, traffic crashes, more suspected fentanyl overdoses prompt urgent LAUSD safety action
Supt. Alberto Carvalho wants to install outfacing perimeter cameras at schools to fend off crime, and has appealed to Mayor Karen Bass for speed bumps and flashing lights around campuses. → Read More
New contract would raise average L.A. teacher salary to $106,000 and lower class size
The settlement comes after LAUSD teachers joined a three-day strike with support staff last month. It includes plans to reduce class size and increase student mental health services. → Read More
LAUSD pitched students an expensive experiment to get higher grades. Most turned it down
L.A. Unified worked to make optional "acceleration days" work for students and help them raise grades. But most students opted for a full spring break instead. → Read More
California public school enrollment continues decline, still reeling from pandemic plunge
The state added schooling for 4-year-olds, which aided enrollment but did not prevent an overall decline after the steep drops at peak of pandemic. → Read More
As talks with teachers heat up, LAUSD budget shows a higher ending balance, with caveats
A $5.1-billion ending balance adds fodder to unions' call for higher pay, but district points to gloomier three-year projections in new budget forecast. → Read More
LAUSD and union workers who led massive strike reach tentative settlement
The agreement comes after L.A> Mayor Bass intervened to mediate the protracted dispute that led to a three-day strike and LAUSD school closures. → Read More
LAUSD strike ends with classes to resume Friday but no settlement for low-wage workers
A sweeping three-day LAUSD strike that shut down Los Angeles public schools, led by school support staff and backed by teachers, ended Thursday, as workers claimed the walkout empowered their union. → Read More
LAUSD strike enters third and final day with schools closed and ongoing Bass mediation
The involvement of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is a major step but won't necessarily lead to a quick settlement of issues between the school system and Local 99. → Read More
Mayor Bass mediating ongoing LAUSD strike; schools to remain closed Thursday
Day 2 of the massive L.A. Unified strike again shutters schools, as some of the district's lowest-paid workers rally for higher wages. → Read More
Massive strike shutters LAUSD as a sea of workers seeking higher wages rallies downtown
LAUSD bus drivers, custodians, teachers, classroom aides and cafeteria workers join wet, cold picket lines at shuttered schools across the district. → Read More
LAUSD files last-ditch legal challenge to stop looming strike and school closures
LAUSD's legal move to halt the strike planned for next week comes as the district and teachers union had talks set for Friday. No negotiations are scheduled with Local 99, which is spearheading the planned walkout. → Read More
L.A. schools would close if union workers go on massive three-day strike, Supt. Carvalho says
L.A. schools chief Carvalho said it would be too hard to provide a safe environment for students if teachers and much of the support staff walked out simultaneously. → Read More
Newborn found alive in gas station trash can in Fullerton
On Thursday night, a newborn found in a Fullerton gas station trash can was in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. → Read More
Graffiti, vaping, sextortion, drugs: A new school app can report school safety issues
One new app in L.A. Unified is for parents and students to report non-emergency issues. The second app is for employees, like an internal 9-1-1 system. → Read More
Wilson High student fatally stabbed near El Sereno campus after school
The Wilson High student died about half a mile from campus in El Sereno. The attacker fled in a vehicle, according to Los Angeles police. → Read More
What an off-the-radar teachers union election means for the education of L.A. children
The union that staged a strike and pushed hard for COVID safety -- inspiring love and loathing among parents -- is electing its leaders. → Read More
LAUSD Supt. Alberto Carvalho ends first year with bold plans
Los Angeles Unified Supt. Alberto M. Carvalho has a high-voltage style and ambitious agenda, although it's too soon to gauge his success as students struggle with pandemic setbacks. → Read More