Los Angeles – California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) President & CEO Myrna Castrejón issued the following statement today regarding the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) vote on a new local charter school policy that, as written, unlawfully interprets the letter and spirit of state law AB 1505.
Said Ms. Castrejón:
“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that a slim majority of LAUSD Board members sided with UTLA and voted to set in motion specific policies that will ultimately limit public education choices for families.
“Board members Scott Schmerelson, Jackie Goldberg, Richard Vladovic, and George McKenna voted in the 4 – 3 majority on ‘new charter policy’ that, as written, unlawfully interprets the letter and spirit of state law, stripping 130,000 charter public school students—80 percent of whom are low-income, Black and Latinx—of their existing rights under Charter Schools Act and the voter-approved Proposition 39.
“Today’s vote goes against the public’s consistent support of charter public schools as an option for their kids. Our June 2020 poll found that more than three in four California voters agree that parents ‘should have the right to choose a charter school if they think it is better for their child than the local district school.’ 58% further believe that charters do a better job of closing the achievement gap among low-income and students of color. 51% of those surveyed believe that charters give better choices to families lacking access to good district schools. And non-white and especially Black voters overwhelmingly say that California public schools do a poor job educating children of their race/ethnicity.
“CCSA thanks Board members Mónica García, Kelly Gonez and Nick Melvoin, who stood with working families against the status quo.
“Charters that are denied by LAUSD are still able to appeal local denials to LA County. Moreover, the State Board of Education will draft regulations to provide clarity to school districts statewide and correct the LAUSD’s gross misinterpretation of the law.
“CCSA will continue to fight for the rights of charter educators and families that believe families should have high-quality public school options for their kids. CCSA is considering all legal options available to us, our members, and the 130,000 students charters serve.”