Scary Budget Cuts at LAUSD + Choices Deadline Approaching

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board has approved a budget plan that includes cutting 1,400 teacher positions. This is particularly concerning to me, because we've committed to an LAUSD school for next fall, deciding not to apply to any private schools because the ones we can afford aren't significantly better than our local public school. I'm fervently hoping that doesn't change during the next eight years, which is how long it'll be before Tyler moves on to middle school.

For now, I'm cautiously optimistic because we live in a somewhat odd neighborhood, where many people have money, yet many don't. That's perhaps the ideal mix for a public school: More than half of the students at the school qualify for financial assistance with lunch, which translates into a hefty amount of government funding for the school. Yet there is an active PTA that's raised enough money to supplement the government-provided bare minimum with a full-time nurse (most schools only have one that's part-time) and additional classes like art and PE. Needless to say, I'll be doing my part in the PTA to ensure the school's high standards continue.

In the meantime, if you are planning to apply to a magnet school, for a permit with transportation, or the No Child Left Behind - Public School Choice program, don't forget that the application deadline is December 18.

Previously: More about our public vs. private school dilemma