Proposed new limits on charter schools’ sharing of campus space with district-run schools have reignited long smoldering tensions in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
LAUSD School Board President Jackie Goldberg and Board Member Rocío Rivas are proposing that charter schools not be allowed to lease classroom space at about 346 district-run school sites in an effort to protect vulnerable Black, Latino and low-income students from what they argue are negative impacts of sharing a campus.
The board discussed the proposed policy at a Sept. 19 meeting and is expected to vote on it in October.
The proposal has been met with praise from several board members, the teachers’ union United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and parents at district-run schools.
“This resolution would allow all students a chance at a fair well-resourced education,” said UTLA Treasurer Gloria Martinez. “UTLA is not against charter school students, educators or families, but we do want to make sure district schools are set up for success, supported and encouraged to thrive.”
The proposal has generated fierce pushback from the charter school community which views it as discriminatory and possibly illegal. While the board meeting took place inside LAUSD’s headquarters on Wednesday, the California Charter School Association (CCSA) held a press conference on the steps outside to decry the proposed rules.
“For many years, we have been struggling to have a fair policy at LAUSD that allocates the space according to need, and without discriminating on the basis of whether a school is a charter public school, a magnet or a district operated school,” said CCSA President/CEO Myrna Castrejón. “So we’re simply here to stand up and say, ‘hey, this is unlawful’.”
Board member Rivas said that the proposed rules have been vetted and determined legal by LAUSD’s counsel.
The district is legally required under Proposition 39 to lease empty classroom space to accommodate…
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