Where has the Middle Class Gone??? LA Unified Middle Class Task Force

Although this is not a post about being frugal, it is about what happens when the state short-changes its students.

I find this incredibly ironic that the LA Unified School District is having a forum entitled "How Do We Bring the Middle Class Back to LAUSD."   For one thing, in my profile, I mention that the middle-class is disappearing.  Also, like all other school districts in Southern California, they are facing declining enorllment

I've copied the relevant portion of their agenda although the full agenda is below.  Items 4a through 4e pretty much are an indictment of
their own district.  Evidently there are concerns with how money is allocated to students, whether services are up to par, whether educational
offerings are relevant, if schools are safe, and "other factors".  So, basically, if this was a business, they'd probably
be out of business.  In any event, one of the criticisms of LA Unified has been high administrative costs.  But,
the State of California has also been negligent in supporting pupil education coming in at around $5500 per student
which means the state is ranked 47th in the nation.  So, if you're a well-educated parent living in LA Unified, your
choices are to permit out, homeschool, find a charter or magnet school, or go private.   Or, in more extreme cases,
move out of LA Unified.

4. How Do We Bring Middle Class Students Back to the District?

a. Equal Allocation of Resources

b. Improved Service

c. Educational Reforms

d. School Safety

e. Additional Factors

I don't live in the LAUSD so we are not facing these challenges although declining enrollment is a huge issue
because the cost of housing is so high that many families with young children can't afford to live in the
area anymore.  Our district has started a new, progressive school which has attracted quite a few out-
of-district families including those from LAUSD.  That's forward thinking.


MIDDLE CLASS TASK FORCE

West Valley Special Education Center

6649 Balboa Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91406

9 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2008

1. Welcome and Self-Introductions

2. Remarks from Board Member Tamar Galatzan

3. Remarks from Attending Board Members

4. How Do We Bring Middle Class Students Back to the District?

a. Equal Allocation of Resources

b. Improved Service

c. Educational Reforms

d. School Safety

e. Additional Factors

5. Task Force Timeline

6. Adjournment