Union Calls For LAUSD To Tap $50M Fund To Rehire Teachers, Staff
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A local teachers union called for the LAUSD on Thursday to tap into what it claims to be millions of dollars in reserves to help reduce classroom sizes.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports United Teachers Los Angeles wants the school board to pay up its "educational crimes against students".
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Union president Warren Fletcher argues that since teachers took a pay cut to reduce the number of layoffs, the LAUSD should dip into reserve funds to rehire about 600 teachers and other school professionals.
"There was a $50 million 'unrestricted surplus', an extra $50 million that is not being applied toward bringing those educators back to the classroom," said Fletcher.
The office of the superintendent declined comment on the size of the so-called surplus fund, but did say the district needs to hold money in reserve to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
Fletcher said the school board must act quickly or students will lose a year of their education without the benefit of lower class sizes.
"When the money comes from the state, it is applied to the classroom first" and not to "layers of bureaucracy", Fletcher added.
The district is scheduled on Friday to tally the number of students in classrooms and make any necessary adjustments in staff.
