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Woman Says Grandson Was Suspended For Protesting Inglewood School District's Spending

INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A woman said her grandson was suspended last week for protesting the Inglewood Unified School District's spending of tens of thousands of dollars on a retreat for its employees.

CBS2's Joy Benedict reported that the cash-strapped district, which was taken over by the state in 2012 and given a $55 million loan, sent principals and administrators to the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa in San Diego at a cost of more than $38,000.

The revelation sparked outrage at Inglewood High School, where multiple student-led protests and walk-outs were held.

Rosa Brown's grandson, Quioness Wilson, helped organize the protests.

"When they heard the news report, they were very upset," she said.

Brown said Wilson was suspended last Thursday.

"They have him on camera. He was talking to channel 2," she said.

Brown, her grandson and other students attended a closed-door meeting Monday morning with Dr. Don Brann, the district's state-appointed superintendent.

After the meeting, Wilson's suspension was revoked and it won't appear on his record.

Meantime, Brann assured the students that he has made changes. He said the San Diego junket was planned by Education Services, a department which includes one of his assistant superintendents.

"I've taken away the signature power from the assistant superintendents here, so everything will come through me," he said.

Also, Brann said he found a trip for administrators planned for Las Vegas, which he cancelled.

Brann plans to eliminate the three assistant superintendent positions at the end of the school year.

"We will also be taking personnel actions in response to it," he said.

RELATED STORIES:

State Superintendent Weighs In On Inglewood School District's $38K Junket

Inglewood High Students' Planned Walk-Out Over District Spending Thwarted By Police

Struggling Inglewood School District Spends Thousands To Send Educators To Swanky Resort

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