MEDIA ADVISORY
1.29.19
Media Contact:
Anna Bakalis, UTLA Communications Director
(213) 305-9654 (cell)
UTLA statement on LAUSD School Board votes, including approval of a resolution calling for a charter moratorium
Today the LAUSD School Board approved unanimously a historic UTLA contract that prioritizes what students need in their schools. This is a reaffirmation of the effectiveness of our 6-day strike and the overwhelming parent and public support for LA educators. Additionally, in a 5-1 vote, the School Board passed a resolution calling for a state study and an 8- to 10-month moratorium on new charters in the district until the study is complete.
The charter moratorium vote is a groundbreaking moment in the fight for public education in LA, one that is reflective of what UTLA members, parents and our communities have fought so hard for: A sustainable public school district that serves all students.
“LAUSD has joined the NAACP and other key organizations in calling on the state of California for a moratorium on charters,” said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. “This is a win for justice, transparency, and common sense. We need to invest in our existing schools, not follow a business model of unregulated growth when new schools are fundamentally not needed in LA.”
The California Charter Schools Association bused students to the meeting, leaving a day of instruction behind to attend. CCSA did so under the false pretense that the board was considering a ban of all charter schools. Teary-eyed students talked during public comment, thinking that their school would be closed if the resolution passed.
Charters have grown exponentially at LAUSD, from 10 in the 2000-01 school year to 277 this year, with the district now the largest charter school authorizer in the nation. The current oversaturation of charter schools means that more than 80 percent of charter schools cannot meet their projected enrollment numbers. This calls into question the charter industry’s assertion that their schools have waiting lists and underscores that there are already more than enough charter schools to meet demand.
Nick Melvoin, who disavows any responsibility over charter school regulation despite being on the school board of the largest charter school authorizer in the country, was the lone vote against the resolution.
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Diane Ravitch's blog 
Unfortunately, at the last minute they watered it down to no more than 8-10 months. Not enough to actually do anything.
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Actually you’re incorrect. The original resolution was for 8 – 10 months to enact an impact study. Kelly Gonez introduced an amendment to shorten it to 6 months and it failed 3 – 3.
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The vast majority of charter schools authorized by LAUSD are under-enrolled and have been competing with each other over the last few years. If nothing changes, I’d expect increasing levels of infighting within LAUSD’s authorized charters, and within the CCSA, in general.
Although I am surprised by the Board members’ seeming willingness to encourage the State to put a moratorium on charters, their actions do futher the interests of existing charters [that’s how Monica Garcia has managed to hold on to her Board seat for so long.] We can infer that they will push to implement Beutner’s plan to make LAUSD a “portfolio district,” aiming to eventually hand control of the 20+ mini-districts that they create over to local charter boards (who will dominate their regions’ nighborhood politics and control purse strings.)
We need to be hyper-vigilant of increased pressure to adopt Beutner’s plan….the first line of defense being Jackie Goldberg.
What are UTLA’s leaders currently doing to get Jackie elected?
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Organizing canvassing, phone banks, etc. More importantly, what are you doing?
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I’m currently not feeling any effort for them to broadcast any of that and, no, my own efforts are NOT more important. Greater obligation and responsibility are assumed when one takes a leadership role.
On my front, I have ponied up several hundred dollars and will be helping with canvassing during the second half of February.
At the moment, I am busy teaching nearly an extra two hours per day (7:00-7:50 AM and 3:15-4:00 PM) attempting to make up for time lost during the strike.
Those involved in last Tuesday’s love fest are obligated to channel their energies into Goldberg’s campaign. Are they doing it, or did we all stand in the rain for four days to further our union leaders’ political ambitions?
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