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Smaller class sizes, more arts funding: LA Unified poised to approve 2024-2025 budget
The proposed 2024-25 budget will reduce class sizes by one additional student.
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Mariana Dale
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LAist
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The Los Angeles Unified School District is poised to authorize an $18.4 billion budget Tuesday that maintains staffing, mental health support and continues to reduce class sizes despite the end of federal pandemic relief funding.
New arts funding increase
The district announced last week that it plans to add an additional $30 million to fund arts teachers. California labor leaders, parents and proponents behind a measure that boosted arts funding statewide have alleged that the district misspent money by using it to pay for existing programs.
“The presentations, in my opinion, around Prop 28 funding have not been really clear or really transparent and taxpayers and our constituents deserve clear and accessible information about how the district is allocating the funds,” said Board Member Scott Schmerelson during Tuesday's budget presentation.
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LAUSD’s superintendent and finance staff have maintained that declining enrollment and the expiration of grants was responsible for some schools appearing to have a smaller budget for the arts.
Also on the agenda
There will be a special meeting to discuss school safety at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Late last school year, the district restored the presence of school police officers on several campuses amid increasing numbers of fights and other conflicts.
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California’s deficit has increased, but K-12 schools are largely spared cuts in the governor's May revision. -
California’s largest school district wants to restrict cellphone and social media use during the school day over concerns about their impact on student mental health. -
The district has temporarily restored officers to two schools, reviving longstanding debates and dissatisfaction over school policing.
How to watch the budget vote
Time: 9 a.m. closed, session, regular meeting, 2 p.m.
Location: 333 S. Beaudry Los Angeles, CA 90017 or stream the meeting online in Spanish and English.
Parking: The district validates parking for the lot at 1159 Huntley Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90026, but once it fills up, you’ll have to find a spot elsewhere.
Speak up: Registration for public comment opens Monday at 9 a.m. ( 24 hours before the meeting). Each item is allowed a different number of speakers— 10 for each action item, 15 for items with a public hearing and 20 for general public comment. Speakers can comment by phone or in person and are generally limited to two minutes.
Contact your board member
Find Your LAUSD Board Member
LAUSD board members can amplify concerns from parents, students, and educators. Find your representative below.
District 1 map, includes Mid City, parts of South LA
Board Member George McKenna
Email: george.mckenna@lausd.net
Call: 213-241-6382
District 2 map, includes Downtown, East LA
Board Member Rocío Rivas
Email: rocio.rivas@lausd.net
Call: 213-241-6020
District 3 map, includes West San Fernando Valley, North Hollywood
Board Member Scott Schmerelson
Email: scott.schmerelson@lausd.net
Call: (213) 241-8333
District 4 map, includes West Hollywood, some beach cities
Board Member Nick Melvoin
Email: nick.melvoin@lausd.net
Call: 213-241-6387
District 5 map, includes parts of Northeast and Southwest LA
Board President Jackie Goldberg
Email: jackie.goldberg@lausd.net
Call: (213) 241-5555
District 6 map, includes East San Fernando Valley
Board Member Kelly Gonez
Email: kelly.gonez@lausd.net
Call: 213-241-6388
District 7 map, includes South LA, and parts of the South Bay
Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin
Email: tanya.franklin@lausd.net
Call: (213) 241-6385
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