From Juliet Wurr, AAUW Long Beach Public Policy Chair

February, 2026

AAUW-CA School Board Project

AAUW-CA is in the third year of its School Board Project. School Board Project Chair Kathi Harper outlined recently how the project has evolved. Originally, the focus was to participate in identifying, recruiting and supporting school board candidates whose education values were in line with AAUW’s.

The focus shifted to an emphasis on encouraging and training AAUW members to attend school board meetings. Now, the third iteration of the project is watching for and speaking out against violations of California’s protective laws that ensure student safety and promote inclusivity. This includes supporting training for educators on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

To learn more about how Long Beach’s Board is operating, I met with School Board Member Doug Otto (District 4) on January 24, 2026.  Mr. Otto is on the first year of his second term. He believes the Board is generally harmonious. I observed this when Hispanic parents came to the Board for help in preventing ICE on school campuses. They were received respectfully and left with the response they requested.

The Long Beach Unified School District is facing difficult challenges, notably a large deficit and a decrease in attendance.The Board is recruiting a new school superintendent. Teachers and staff are protesting potential cuts of programs and teachers.

AAUW Advocates for Congressional Oversight of Department of Education Program Transfers

Our AAUW Long Beach branch joined 67 other California branches in signing letters to California Senators Padilla and Schiff, January 21, 2026. The letters opposed the unlawful transfer of U.S. Department of Education programs and responsibilities to other agencies. The signatories stated their opposition to the move.

The letters noted that transferring duties from the Department of Education to other agencies was not under the purview of the Executive Branch. Furthermore, these transfers created real, practical problems for states, districts, and families. Among those problems are confusion and delay, weaker protections for students,  transparency and more bureaucracy.

 

In their letters, AAUW asked the Senators to conduct vigorous oversight, including directing GAO and agency Inspector Generals to review whether the transfers comply with applicable laws. AAUW asked the Senators to use appropriations and authorizing tools to stop the transfers.