Los Angeles Unified Board of Education Approves Resolution to Mitigate Harms of Co-Location (09-26-23)

CONTACT: 
Alex McElvain (630) 881-0545, cp-a.mcelvain@lausd.net
Christine Louise Mills, (213) 503-0883, christine.mills@lausd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2023

Los Angeles Unified Board of Education Approves Resolution to Mitigate Harms of Co-Location

A resolution directs the development of a policy to mitigate these impacts and protect the District’s efforts to strengthen public schools for all.

Los Angeles, CA (September 26, 2023) – The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted today to direct the development of a policy that will mitigate the negative impacts of charter school co-location. The resolution was authored by Board President Jackie Goldberg and Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas and joined by Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson and Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III.

Charter school co-location — an arrangement mandated by Proposition 39, passed in 2000 — requires District schools to share space with charter schools. This has caused a myriad of educational, operational, safety, financial and legal challenges. Parents, educators and students have described how co-locations have syphoned away needed resources from neighborhood schools, such as parent centers, computer labs and even space for electives. Many are concerned that co-locations undermine District-led initiatives to support students and schools, such as Priority Schools, Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) schools and Community Schools. In other cases, co-locations combine school ages from high school, middle school and elementary school, creating “charter pipelines” that encourage students to leave the District for middle and high school charters on their campus. 

Today’s resolution calls for improvements, transparency and accountability in the charter co-location process, and directs the creation of a forward-looking policy to be applied thoughtfully and uniformly during future co-location decisions. Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho will develop a report within 45 days that proposes a policy that is consistent with Proposition 39’s legal obligations. Once the Board approves the policy, it will be in place for new co-locations. 

“I’m very proud that we’ve finally taken this step to call for a policy that addresses some of the negative impacts of co-location,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “Today’s vote demonstrates our commitment to important and innovative District priorities like our Black Student Achievement Program, our Community Schools and our Priority schools.  We can comply with Proposition 39 while still having coherent and transparent policies to guide us.”

“At its core, this resolution is simply directing the District to develop a clear, accountable and transparent charter school colocation policy,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Increased clarity and transparency about the co-location process is the first step toward equitable distribution of resources for all students.”

“We are finally starting to take firm steps to make sure District students are not a casualty of a policy that voters could not imagine at the time, would have such grave consequences affecting our most vulnerable students,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “As a representative of my community, I feel proud to take this initial step to right this wrong.”

“We must make decisions that center the needs of our students, families and communities when considering co-location sites,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “It is important that we prioritize all of the spaces in and outside of classrooms on our campuses that function together to help our educators achieve our academic goals for students. Educating the whole child requires adequate facilities that align with our instructional needs.”

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