By Gloria Curiel-Parker Santa Monica
The recent media coverage has served to raise doubts in the minds of some regarding Oscar de la Torre’s eligibility to run for the Santa Monica-Malibu School Board. I hope your readers realize the effort to disqualify him is not about meeting deadlines. People who endeavor to hold school officials accountable and people who ask tough questions are not always welcome at the table. Those leading the effort to disqualify him are doing a major disservice to the very community they know needs representation. As recently reported, the fact is that Mr. de la Torre is an eligible and viable candidate for the School Board.
As a Santa Monica resident and the parent of a Santa Monica school student, I recognize the serious need to have a representative on the School Board that will understand and advocate for the interests of Santa Monica’s poor and disenfranchised children. I believe, as do many others, that Mr. de la Torre has the personal experience, education, commitment and passion that it takes to break down barriers and ensure that Santa Monica’s low-achieving children are not left behind.
If people take the time to learn about him, they will find that Mr. de la Torre’s commitment to Santa Monica schools is unquestionable and his qualifications and experience are especially suited for a seat on the School Board.
Mr. de la Torre grew up in the heart of the Pico neighborhood. He lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his mother, father and seven brothers and sisters. The community he grew up in was plagued with gangs and drugs. In the midst of all this, Mr. de la Torre managed to stay focused on his education and graduated from Santa Monica public schools. At Samohi, he served as student body president and co-captain of the football team. He went on to Chico State, where he served as student body president, and then to the University of Texas where he received his master’s in public administration. While in Texas, he worked as an education policy analyst for a Democratic state senator. Along the way, Mr. de la Torre has continuously been on the front lines fighting for civil rights, equal opportunities and quality education for all. He returned to Samohi to work as an outreach specialist and has since served on a number of committees and SMMUSD task forces including the task force on race and discipline and the committee on equity and quality in education. He is currently the founder and director of the Pico Youth and Family Center.
I hope that when the dust settles, people will realize that what’s really important is Mr. de la Torre’s genuine concern for our community and his commitment to making schools work for ALL of Santa Monica’s children. I urge Santa Monica voters to keep this in mind when they vote on Nov. 5.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 15, 2002. Read the original PDF.