LAUSD families to protest charter school budget cuts

LAUSD parents plan a full day of protests over the district's proposed budget cuts for charter schools next year. Let's go to Mario Ramirez at a charter school in Sherman Oaks, talking to parents out there. And look, there's a rally behind you. This is just one of many, Mario. Yeah, now seeing that turnout we have been talking about, and I would say there are at least 100 students, parents out here holding signs. Walking back and forth here on the sidewalk just outside Riverside Drive Charter. And this is happening at 10 schools right now. Part of what parents are calling a day of action protesting these budget cuts. And the big concern for parents, at least here at this school, is what happens when you take millions of dollars away from schools that already operate on tight budgets. And they say that these cuts will mean fewer staff members, less supervision, fewer resources, and more safety concerns. And this morning, families across L.A. are protesting this funding decision. that they hope the district will reverse. So take a look. Let's go over what some of these cuts look like. LA Unified plans to eliminate $10 million in annual funding for 42 affiliated charter schools. According to organizers, 25,000 students attend these schools, and the district's plan links the reduction to the equivalent of about 112 full-time positions set to take effect in the next school year. And the district defending the decision, telling Fox 11 this morning, LA Unified's facing a projected $3.6 billion deficit And they blame declining enrollment, rising costs, and the end of federal COVID relief funding. And they say that these 42 charter schools have been receiving funding since the state ended a similar grant in 2013, supplemental funding that will be ended if these cuts go through. So they estimate here at this school, more than 88% of the school site budget and at least 12 staff positions will be cut. Now I want to talk to some of the students here. I talked to some of the parents earlier and they had major concerns about what this would mean fewer staff supervising all these children out here. They've got a student population of just over 400. Amanda Halliday here, you're with all your friends. What's it like being out here fighting for your teacher? It's great because I love them so much. They're so kind to us and it's great to help them have their jobs. If the district officials, the school board is watching right now, what would you want to tell them? I want to tell them to think about all these kids here and to make sure that all these kids get the best education they can get. Yeah, and that's a good argument. The education needs people to help teach in the classroom, assistants and all of the staff that help out. So what would you want to say to the district if they're watching this? If they were watching, I would like to say I would like them to be aware of how much this would affect schools and how much... This cut is going to hurt us. Is there someone that you're worried about? Oh, yeah, like we love all the supervising staff and our coordinator who may lose their jobs. So, yeah. Okay, well, you can see they have the signs here. A lot of these students made the signs. And I asked some of the parents, you know, why they brought their kids out here in protest. They said it wasn't difficult to convince them to come out to make these signs because once they heard that it could affect the teacher, you know, they're... A teacher inside the classroom that they've grown to love, it wasn't a difficult decision to get them out here. So for now, live here in Sherman Oaks, we'll send it back to you in a second. Yeah, there's a relationship that these students have with their teacher's aides, and right. It's such a big part of their education, and everybody else that's involved in that school as well. So difficult. And some smart students there as well, Mario. That's right. Thank you for bringing us their perspective. We appreciate it. Thank you.