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Statement by Superintendent Austin Beutner (2-19-19)
Statement by Superintendent Austin Beutner
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 19, 2019) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today discussed the need for all of Los Angeles to come together to reverse 40 years of underinvestment in public education.
Superintendent Austin Beutner and the Board noted that Los Angeles Unified will need to engage all of Los Angeles to get more local support for schools as well as go to Sacramento to get a better deal for students. One of the most important things Los Angeles Unified can do for students is to help neighborhood schools retain and attract quality teachers, counselors, school nurses, librarians, and principals.
Superintendent Austin Beutner released the following statement:
“It is time for Los Angeles Unified to pursue a local measure to increase funding for Los Angeles schools. A measure, if approved by voters could provide additional funding for schools during the upcoming school year. This will allow for the accelerated improvement in student learning, continued progress in reducing class size and providing more support to students and educators in schools. It is time to build on the commitment the community has expressed and move forward together.
“All but one contract with our labor partners, including UTLA, are now resolved. This is an opportunity to take stock of where we are and move forward. The strike had real consequences—two million days of instruction missed by students, $100 million lost by District which could have been invested in schools, families’ lives disrupted and seven days of pay lost by educators. But the strike has made public education top of mind in every household in Los Angeles. And many more understand the need to provide more funding to our schools.
“Funding alone, however, will not close the opportunity gaps our students face. And funding alone will not address the even larger gaps faced by students in our highest need communities.
“Los Angeles Unified will need to implement plans to reduce central bureaucracy and operate more efficiently, increase the ability of schools leaders and educators to make decisions to suit the unique needs of their students, build on its efforts to help students most in need and increase engagement with the families and communities it serves.
“Additional information will be provided to the Board for discussion on February 26 and possible Board Action on March 5.”
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Shannon Haber (213) 241-6766