Massive Layoffs Hit Los Angeles School District

Last night the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted 4-3 in favor of laying off 5000 teachers, school administrators, counselors and other employees. The Board of Education believes this is the only solution in order to close the $596.1 million budget deficit for next year. I understand there needs to be cuts but I challenge the school board to tell me how putting 5000 people out of work and lowering our children's level of education is the only solution.

Before these catastrophic cuts Los Angeles schools were already at a disadvantage. California ranks 47th in the nation in per pupil spending. Today there are 879 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 2007, only 111 of these school met or exceeded the California Department of Education’s Academic Performance Index.

A study of 9th Street Elementary, a public school in downtown Los Angeles shows in 2007, students averaged a 629 on their API test vs. the API goal of 800. Many private schools in Los Angeles average in the 900s. Out of the 337 children attending 9th Street Elementary, 245 are English language learners. These students are under performing and at a disadvantage because English is not their first language. These statistics will not improve if we take away teachers and increase class size. Not to mention, after the layoffs some schools may not have full time principals. The LA Times covered this story today and reported that Spanish speaking parents expressed concern about school security if principals are not on campus throughout the day. I understand California is in a world of hurt financially but this is inexcusable.

I'm happy to see that our teachers and parents are fighting back. Demonstrators swarmed the LAUSD building as the final decisions were made. One of the many signs in the crowd read, "LAUSD handed out pink slips to 51% of the teachers at my school".  How can students succeed with 51% of their teachers gone?  This situation can feel hopeless but there are ways you can help. The LA Students Count website lists several ways to get involved:

1. Write letters and send emails and faxes to the Governor, the State Legislature and other key elected officials to share your feelings about the budget cutbacks. These elected leaders need to hear your voice. Below you’ll find links to key State officials in Sacramento.
2. Visit partner websites beginning with The Education Coalition at www.protectourstudents.org and the California PTA at http://www.capta.org/.  Both of these groups are organizing parents and other stakeholders, and hosting events to draw attention to the school budget crisis.California Governor's Office gov.ca.govCalifornia Secretary of Education (OSE) www.ose.ca.gov

   California State Assembly www.assembly.ca.gov

   California State Senate www.sen.ca.gov

   California State Treasurer www.treasurer.ca.gov

3. Become active in education groups like your local PTA group and attend LAUSD School Board meetings to share your concerns. In addition, the District’s Parent Community Services Branch (PCSB) is hosting a series of events to help parents better understand the school budget process and influence decision makers in Sacramento. PCSB’s telephone number is (213) 217-5272.
4. Stay informed. Become educated on school funding issues. Read daily newspapers, listen to radio news broadcast and watch local TV news programs to learn about the impact that school budget cuts could have on schools in your neighborhood.

photo courtesy of travelin john's flickr photostream (creative commons)