Community Protests LAUSD's Plan To Convert Crenshaw High Into Magnet School

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — The Los Angeles Unified school board has approved the drastic overhaul of one of the state's lowest performing high schools, a plan that will require teachers to reapply for their jobs.

Tuesday's unanimous vote gives Superintendent John Deasy the green light to transform Crenshaw High School into three magnet school starting in the next academic year.

Deasy says the plan is the district's most successful model.

Staff members must interview again for their jobs. If teachers are not rehired, they can transfer. Local and current students are guaranteed admission.

Deasy says the intervention is needed because Crenshaw is the district's lowest-achieving school. Just three percent of students are proficient in math and 17 percent in reading. Currently at 1,500 students, Crenshaw has seen a decline in enrollment as students move to other area schools.

"I think we agree with him when we say that there has to be a change at Crenshaw that improves the school, but I think that that change has to come from a combination of the parents, the students and the teachers, who are well aware of the intricacies of those communities," Crenshaw High alumnus Irvin Alvarado said.

Teachers and parents protested at the meeting, saying the reform model already in place is starting to yield results.

"The district has not sincerely consulted and talked with the parents, students and teachers. They've intimidated the students, they've intimidated the teachers and they're trying to shut out the parents," Crenshaw High alumna Yuisa Gimeno said.

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