Prop 30 – Lower Class Sizes & Reinstate Programs

LAUSD: Hire Mr. Lee

Since August 2013, Mr. David W. Lee has been working as Band Director and Music Educator at Venice High School. He currently is the recipient of a 20th century Beyond the Bell Grant through the Los Angeles Unified School District, which allows Venice High School to be the benefactor of his teaching. Furthermore, he is also active with the community by holding the position of Vice President of the Venice High School Boosters Club.

Mr. Lee holds a bachelors degree from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, and a masters degree from UCLA. His hard work and efforts can easily be seen though the presence of a Marching Band at all home and away football games, Pep Band at home basketball games, and Band Ensemble at various assemblies and ceremonies on and off campus. Through his guidance, four students were accepted in to the highly selective LAUSD’s All-City Marching Band, one of which was selected as the distinguished position of All-City Drum Major. The Marching Band also had the opportunity to perform at the Rose Bowl with the UCLA Marching Band. In addition, he has started a Jazz Ensemble in efforts to revive the Crescendos, the jazz band legacy left behind by the late Mr. Bill E. Paney.

With the passing of California Proposition 30, LAUSD has stated that they would like to see more technology within the classrooms. United Teachers Los Angels, the teachers’ union, has urged LAUSD to use monies to reduce class sizes, and restore positions that were previously cut. With the hiring Mr. Lee, Venice High School would be introduce music technology AND restore the previously cut music department. Board Member Zimmer will advocate for Mr. Lee, however a teaching position has not been offered at this time - this would require a request from Dr. Mendoza to the district for an additional teaching position. LAUSD Arts Education Branch stated that all that is required to hire Mr. Lee is a request by Dr. Mendoza. 

The Music Program at Venice High School needs your help!! Mr. Lee has been successful in reviving the band program, however it is in a fragile state, where if he were to leave, it would cease to exist. Ms. Kornbeck currently teaches five separate subjects, four being the maximum, which is not in compliance with union and district contract. She has been greatly successful in having students participate in All-State ensembles and California Summer School of the Arts, but it is simply impossible for her to support a two teacher course load of music classes. The logical choice is to hire Mr. Lee so that he may alleviate all contractual issues and continue his brilliant work at Venice High School. 

By hiring Mr. Lee, Venice High School would:

~have a full-time instrumental music teacher, a position that has been vacant for over 2 years due to budget cuts

~be acknowledging the pride and legacy that Venice High School once had, and placing the instrumental program in superior and innovative hands

~be offering classes that look towards current trends and the future (Music Technology), as well provide credit to students that previously did not (Marching Band, Concert Band, String Ensemble)

~be reducing class size by hiring a full-time teacher, and rectifying any and all breaches of contract in regards to Ms. Kornbeck’s teaching load 

Please show your support for Venice High School and its historicaly national recognized Music Department!!

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**This petition was not made by Mr. Lee, but created by the Venice High School community on behalf of him**

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We, the undersigned, strongly urge Dr. Elsa Mendoza to open up the position of Band Director at Venice High School so that she may hire Mr. David W. Lee. We believe that he a neccessary candidate for the position and that both the school and community will benefit from his continuing work. By Hiring Mr. Lee, Dr. Mendoza would  also aid LAUSD and United Teachers Los Angeles in moving forward in the right direction by providing more opportunities for our students and reducing class sizes. Please support Board Member Zimmer in his advocacy of Mr. Lee and the Music Department at Venice High School.

Thank you for your consideration in this urgent and sensitive matter