Prop 39 Co-Locations: STATEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT DEASY & THE BOARD OF ED RE: CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION V. LAUSD + Court order
LAUSD NEWS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release June 28, 2012
Contact: Tom Waldman 11/12-239
STATEMENT FROM LAUSD SUPERINTENDENT JOHN DEASY AND THE LAUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING A LAWSUIT: CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION V. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
This week’s decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Terry A. Green in the California Charter School Association v. Los Angeles Unified case is a devastating blow to public school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The ruling would force the District to abandon its proven method for equitably allocating classroom space under Proposition 39, which assures both charter students and students attending District-operated schools, attend classes of equal size.
The board is deeply concerned that the ruling could result in children across the District being barred from attending their neighborhood school, which is in direct contradiction to the promise of public education.
Under the order, students attending District-operated neighborhood schools may be displaced to other locations, through involuntary busing and other means, in order to provide additional space to charter schools. Further, the District may be forced to eliminate space for essential programs, including Special Education and English Learner. The consequences would be devastating to our families, especially at a time of severe budget cuts.
Making matters worse, this year classes begin August 14th, as part of the Early Start Calendar. To prepare for such a massive change in a shortened amount of time would be both catastrophic and chaotic.
The District is currently exploring all avenues available to eliminate or mitigate the consequences of Judge Green’s order.