 Anthony
J. Portantino On Public Education
A Life-long Commitment to Public Education
Both Anthony and Ellen Portantino are products of public schools. Early
in his career, Anthony worked as a full-time substitute teacher at the same
New Jersey middle school he attended as a boy. The public school tradition
continues today with Sofia, a fourteen-year-old ninth-grader, and four-year-old
Bella Rose, who will be attending elementary school in the fall of 2006.
Hands-on experience gained through direct involvement in public education
has given Anthony Portantino a parent’s perspective that will be invaluable
in working for educational reform in the Legislature.
Dedicated PTA Member and Public School Volunteer
An active member and supporter of the PTA for nearly a decade, Anthony served
on the Childcare Roundtable for three years where he was instrumental in
expanding before- and after-school enrichment programs for the 7th &
8th grade. When the La Canada Unified School District was undergoing its
planning process for the next decade, Anthony was chosen as a member of
the LCUSD K-12 Education Options Committee. This task force helped the LCUSD
plan for the future growth and expansion of the entire K-12 district. Anthony
has also worked for gender equity on our campuses, proposing that the City
Council budget $200,000 to install professional lighting on two softball
fields so that young women athletes have equal practice opportunities.
A Record of Success and Innovation in Providing
Public Support to Our Schools
Anthony is now serving his fifth year on the City Council/School District
Joint Use Committee. This unique committee has become a model for successful
cooperative School District/City Council relationships throughout the State
of California. Anthony has lectured on this model within the League of California
Cities Councilmember’s Leadership Academy and at the invitation of
other cities and school boards.
During Anthony’s tenure on the Joint Use Committee, the City and the
LCUSD opened a public library on the middle-school campus which serves school
children by day and the greater community at night and on weekends. The
partnership also constructed a skate park on school property and maximized
taxpayer dollars through its unique partnership. As a result, the School
District saved hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be devoted directly
to improving classroom instruction. In grateful recognition, Anthony and
the other members of the Committee received a PTA Founders Day Award for
outstanding service to the La Canada Flintridge School District.
A Proven Supporter of Our Community Colleges
Anthony has been a strong supporter of desperately needed infrastructure
bonds for Pasadena City College. Not only was Anthony the only elected official
in the City of La Canada Flintridge to endorse PCC’s Measure P, Councilmember
Portantino signed the ballot argument in its favor and subsequently served
on the Measure P Bond Oversight Committee ensuring that bond funds would
properly and fiscally responsibly administered. With Anthony leading the
pro-bond position, Measure P received overwhelming support in La Canada.
As we grapple with a structural approach to public education that no
longer reflects the 21st century, Anthony understands the need to change
from a K-12 system geared for a manufacture economy to one that allows
our children to compete in a high tech global economy. Community Colleges
must be a central component of a new K-14 model if California's children
are to compete with the rest of the nation. Anthony strongly opposes efforts
to raise Community College fees and hopes to see a time in California
where every student has true access to a quality K-14 education. Vocational
training and opportunities must be expanded to meet the need of our growing
communities.
INSISTING ON FULLl-FUNDING FOR OUR
SCHOOLS - AND CAREFUL OVERSIGHT OF ALL FUNDS
The future success of our public education system rests with
having proper resources, great facilities and excellent teachers. There
is no substitute for well-trained and respected professionals working
in clean and modern schools. Anthony believes that we must fully fund
Prop 98 so that we can continue to lift school support in California up
to - and beyond - the national average.
But Anthony also believes that we can make substantial gains through
more careful spending of current school funds. He will work to streamline
the construction approval process so that more precious bond dollars get
spent improving our schools rather than paying overhead and administrative
costs. He will also work to expand programs that save taxpayer dollars
through the implementation of cooperative joint use projects and opportunities
between schools and local governments.
FAIRER TREATMENT FOR DISTRICTS SERVING
LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY STUDENTS
Anthony has a tangible record for fighting for better school
facilities. In addition to his active support of bond measures for P.C.C.,
and for the LCUSD, as a member of the Los Angeles County Division League
of California Cities Legislative Committee, Anthony strongly supported
Assemblymember Cindy Montanez's efforts to facilitate joint use funding
based on economic need and demographic necessity. This legislation, if
enacted, will have significant benefits to the entire 44th Assembly District.
ENDORSED BY PROVEN LEADERS IN EDUCATION:
JACK SCOTT AND CAROL LIU
In her announcement to support Anthony's run for the State
Assembly, Carol Liu pointed to Anthony's strong support of and believe
in public education as the main reason she has endorsed him to succeed
her in Sacramento.
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