LAUSD Seeks Arts Revival Ahead Of More Budget Cuts

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy Monday will give his annual State of the District address, which will focus primarily on graduating more college-ready students while also touting a new arts education campaign.

Deasy told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO even amid deep budget cuts, the district is also launching a major fundraising effort among private donors to help revive its ailing arts education program.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LA Fund's Megan Chernin will join Deasy along with students and faculty at East Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy for "Arts Matter", a public art exhibition and fundraising campaign.

"We're making it happen through the generosity and support of not only artists, but folks who are supporting us in the arts," said Deasy.

But those efforts may be overshadowed by looming funding cuts should voters fail to pass tax hikes next month to help the state's public schools.

A "substantially shorter school year" is among the consequences the district faces, along with cuts to transportation, magnet schools, and honors classes, in what Deasy has called a "doomsday" scenario for the LAUSD.

Deasy said even in this challenging economy, the district's fate may lay primarily in the hands of taxpayers not just in the Southland, but throughout California.

"It's a difficult time, it's a difficult economy, but I have to say to folks, 'You did get your education and you are able to vote,'" he said. "I think we want the exact same for the youth that are sitting in school now."

Deasy will deliver the State of the District Address at 5 p.m. at the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools.

For more information on The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education, visit LA Fund.