Parents to hold rallies to protest $10 million grant cut to LAUSD-affiliated charter schools

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Parents, students and teachers across Los Angeles plan to hold rallies at several campuses Tuesday to fight a $10 million grant cut that will affect 42 LAUSD-affiliated charter schools.

Demonstrators warn that cutting that money will strip support from nearly 25,000 kids, trigger layoffs, compromise school safety and hurt low-income families. They also plan to bring their fight directly to district leaders during public comment at an afternoon board meeting.

At Riverside Drive Charter School alone, parents say they could lose nearly half a million dollars and at least 12 staff positions.

For some parents, it's not just about education but also about the safety of their kids.

"So who's going to watch our kids (during) recess? If there's an emergency drill, if there's a fire drill or an earthquake or a lockdown, we don't have people on the yard to watch our kids and you're asking me to send my 4-year-old to school?," said Kate Marchbank.

In a statement, the district says the cuts are necessary to help plug a massive $3.6 billion deficit caused by falling enrollment and rising costs.

"Los Angeles Unified is navigating significant fiscal challenges that affect every part of the District. Declining enrollment, rising operational costs and the expiration of one-time COVID-19 relief funding have contributed to a projected $3.6 billion deficit. As outlined in the Board-approved Fiscal Stabilization Plan, the District must make difficult decisions and identify ways to reduce costs while maintaining financial stability and preserving local control.

One of the changes included in this effort is the elimination of the supplemental Charter Block Grant allocation historically provided to 42 affiliated charter schools that began operating before fiscal year 2012-13. This supplemental funding came from central District resources after the state's Charter School Categorical Block Grant ended in 2013. Because this additional allocation was not provided to other affiliated charter schools or traditional District schools, the change brings greater consistency to how resources are allocated across the District.

We understand that this decision may have different impacts on individual schools and recognize the concerns families and school communities have raised about potential effects on staffing, services and programs. We value the contributions our schools make to their communities. Affiliated charter schools will continue to receive funding through norm-based allocations and other applicable District programs."