Hermosa Beach School Board candidate VanLandingham teaches law

Hermosa Beach School Board candidate Rachael VanLandingham is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel.

by Kevin Cody

Rachel VanLandingham has taught law at Southwestern Law School for the past 10 years. Until recently, the retired Air Force Lt. Colonel was also president of the board of the National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ), which meant frequent trips to Washington D.C., for testimony on issues of military law, ranging from retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, to the impact of Roe vs. Wade on women in the U.S. military. VanLandingam has written articles on military law for legal journals, and op-ed articles for newspapers, such as the Washington Post. She has also been a commentator on  CNN, MSNBC and NPR.

After stepping down from the presidency of NIMJ last December, she found she had time on her hands, and a lingering desire for public service.

Hermosa Beach Education Foundation President Carol Kluthe suggested Vanlandingham run for school board. The two had met when their now teenage children were in kindergarten together.

Vanlandingham knew Kluthe planned to run this year and didn’t want to compete against her friend. Upon further discussion, the two decided to run as a slate for the two open seats.

“We expected a crowded field and thought we could help each other win,” VanLandingham said.

But when the filing deadline passed, only one other candidate, Dev Shaw, had filed. 

Shaw is also on the Ed Foundation Board of Directors.

“We’re blessed to have three good candidates. I don’t see much disagreement among us,” VanLandingham said. She added that whoever loses this year can run again in two years, when three seats will be open.

VanLandingham is a member of the district’s Wellness Council, which brings in speakers each month to discuss issues such as bullying, drugs, body image and social media.

Around campus, she is known as “Miss Rachel” because of her years as a teacher’s aide.

“I love teaching,” she said.

District funding, she said, is always a problem because of the daily attendance formula used by the state.

The State legislature is contemplating a bill that would change funding based on Average Daily Attendance to funding based on enrollment. But that bill is not expected to be voted on until 2026.

In the meantime, VanLandingham said, it’s important parents know that pulling kids out of school unnecessarily, such as for long weekend vacations, costs the district money.

VanLandingham called Measure HV on the November 5 ballot, a “no brainer.” The $28.7 million bond would fund improvements in classroom and athletic facilities, and safety at Hermosa Valley School.

“It’s unfortunate we have to fence the school. But safety concerns is an issue that goes beyond our schools,” the Air Force Academy graduate said.

VanLandingham said she was at the movie theater with her seventh grade son when the screen went dark. My son turned to me and asked, ‘Do you think it’s a shooter?’ When I was child, I would just have thought the power went out.”

Before having their two boys, when VanLandinham and her husband, Hermosa Councilmember Raymond Jackson, lived in Florida, they rode motorcycles. She doesn’t any longer and has not allowed her sons to get e-bikes.

“I understand the desire to go fast on two wheels. But I’m concerned about safety. I’d leave it to parents to decide. But I think we need mandatory safety measures,” said.

The district, she noted, is currently developing a policy on cell phones on campus. In the meantime, she said, she favors prohibiting cell phone use on campus. ER

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments