November 1, 2017

Dear Acting Superintendent Ekchian and Mr. Cole-Gutirrez,

We represent over 150 public schools serving tens of thousands of students across Los Angeles.
We are proud to partner with L.A. Unified in the important work of providing a high quality
education to students in every community in L.A.

In the spirit of partnership, and on behalf of the communities we serve, we are writing to express
our support for the updates to the district required language proposed by charter schools in
their petitions this month. These policies are in the best interests of our students, families and
teachers.

Each of us has contended with bureaucratic policies in the district required language that run
counter to the best interests of our kids and teachers. We have navigated an increase in the
number of constantly changing and arbitrary requirements that do not promote student
learning. We have witnessed the instability and uncertainty experienced by our kids and families
when they dont know where their schools will be next year. We have watched our teachers and
principals scramble and struggle to determine which policies they need to follow, preventing
them from focusing on what their students need most.

We believe the district has an opportunity and a responsibility to update the district required
language to bring greater transparency, consistency and accountability. The updates proposed
are modest and reasonable. They are far from ideal or optimal; they are simply necessary to
ensure that charter educators keep running effective public schools.

We support the proposal to remove facilities language that preempts opportunities for
charter schools to secure long-term, stable public facilities agreements that would create
win-wins for all kids.
We support the proposal to improve the dispute resolution process so critical issues like
facilities agreements can be resolved in a timely way.
We support the proposal that charters be required to comply only with charter-specific
policy approved by the L.A. Unified board so we create a more transparent, predictable
authorizing environment.
We support the proposal that the role of the Office of the Inspector General be consistent
with the role defined in state law.

We are united in our request for the district to act in the interest of students and teachers and
update policy, so that we can focus as much as possible on the goal we share with the district:
putting kids first and providing a high quality education to the families who count on us. We
look forward to continuing to collaborate with you on this and other important issues affecting
students.

Thank you for your partnership,

Dan Katzir Xavier Reyes Alfonso Paz and Cesar Lopez

President and CEO Founder and CEO Co-Directors
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Alta Public Schools APEX Academy
Kate Ford Hrag Hamalian
Glenda Aleman Executive Director
Superintendent Executive Director Bright Star Schools
Aspire Public Schools Arts in Action Community Charter
Schools

Vanessa Jackson
Chris Bright Head of School
Ana Ponce Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer Collegiate Charter High School
CHAMPS Charter High School for the
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Arts

Karen Smith Oliver Sicat

Principal Chief Executive Officer
Mark Kleger-Heine Discovery Charter Preparatory #2
Executive Director Ednovate
Citizens of the World- Los Angeles

Ted Morris
Co-Founder Malka Borrego
David Hussey Endeavor College Preparatory Founder and CEO
Executive Director Equitas Academy Charter Schools
El Camino Charter High School

Jim Kennedy Irene Sumida Carrie Wagner

Chief Executive Officer Executive Director Executive Director
Extera Public Schools Fenton Charter Public Schools GALS Los Angeles

Cristina de Jesus Parker Hudnut

Sally Chou President and CEO Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director Green Dot Public Schools California ICEF Public Schools
Global Education Collaborative

Marcia Aaron Yolanda Jimenez

Myranda Marsh Executive Director Principal
Executive Director KIPP LA Los Angeles Academy of Arts and
James Jordan Middle School Enterprise

Amy Held Anna Carlstone-Hurt

Josh Stock Founder and Head of School
Executive Director
Executive Director Libertas College Prep
Larchmont Charter Academy
Lashon Academy
 Caprice Young
Linda Lee Chief Executive Officer
Arina Goldring
Executive Director/Principal Magnolia Public Schools
Executive Director
Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts
Los Angeles Leadership Academy

Gayle Nadler Patricia Gould

Kim Clerx
Executive Director Principal
Executive Director
Multicultural Learning Center New Academy Canoga Park
Metro Charter Elementary School

Sharon Weir
Richard Thomas
Matt Albert Executive Director
Executive Director
Executive Director New West Charter School
New Horizons Charter School
New Los Angeles Charter Schools

Sylvia Fajardo
Mark Ryan Lynn Izakowitz Executive Director
Executive Director Executive Director Pacoima Charter School
North Valley Military Academy Our Community School

Pamela Magee
Tom Scotti
Principal and Executive Director PK Candaux and Sidnie Myrick
Executive Director
Palisades Charter High School Co-Founders
Port of Los Angeles High School Renaissance Arts Academy

Natasha Barriga
Founder and Head of School
Resolute Academy Charter School
Arianna Haut
Emilio Pack Founder and Head of School
Executive Director Summit Preparatory Charter School
STEM Preparatory Schools

Rhonda Deomampo Raul Carranza Robert Burke

Executive Director Principal Executive Director
Synergy Academies TEACH Public Schools Valley Charter Schools

Anita Zepeda Yvette King-Berg

Executive Director Gene Fisher Executive Director
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center Executive Director YPI Charter Schools
Watts Learning Center Charter Schools