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17 Campuses Selected for Second Year of LAUSD’s “Public School Choice”

On May 24th, the LAUSD School Board approved a list of 17 schools—9 new campuses and 8 low-performing "focus" schools —that will be part of the second year of “Public School Choice” (PSC).

Here’s a list of the PSC campuses and affected schools:

8 FOCUS SCHOOLS
  • Audubon Middle School
  • Clay Middle School
  • Harte Prep Middle School
  • Huntington Park High School
  • Los Angeles High School
  • Mann Middle School
  • Muir Middle School
  • Woodcrest Elementary School

9 NEW CAMPUSES (which will relieve overcrowding at affected campuses)
  • Central Region ES #14 (affects Lake St. Primary Center, Rosemont Elementary, Union Elementary)
  • South Region ES #6 (affects 61st St. Elementary, 66th St. Elementary, 68th St. Elementary)
  • South Region HS #2 (affects Fremont High, Jefferson High)
  • South Region HS #4 (affects Banning High, Carson High)
  • Central Region HS #16 (affects Santee Education Complex)
  • Valley Region HS #4 (affects Granada Hills High, Kennedy High, Monroe High)
  • Valley Region HS #5 (affects Kennedy High, San Fernando High, Sylmar High)
  • Central Region MS #7 (affects Carver Middle School, LA Academy Middle School)
  • Central Region HS #13 (affects Eagle Rock High, Franklin High, Marshall High)

What is Public School Choice?The Public School Choice Resolution allows new operators to bid to run existing, low-performing schools (called “focus schools”) and new campuses being built throughout the District to improve our schools—something we all want. But we also know that our families need good union jobs to get ahead. This is why SEIU Local 99 is watching this process very closely.

Who decides who gets to run the school?An independent panel evaluates the operators’ applications. Superintendent Ramon Cortines is responsible for evaluating the proposals of the Public School Choice applicants. Community members, including school employees and parents, will take an Advisory Vote, and finally, the Superintendent will submit his final recommendations to the LAUSD School Board. It is the LAUSD School Board that ultimately decides which organization will run the school.

Are these schools being privatized?No, schools are not being privatized. Regardless of the model being proposed, all the schools will remain public schools, and LAUSD will provide oversight of all of the schools.

What is the difference between the types schools?Applicants may operate the schools under several different models. Schools may be operated as a “traditional” school, pilot school, iDesign school, magnet school, or charter school. If you're confused, you're not alone.  Click here for a summary of the different school models to clear things up.

What’s happened so far?This year, the LAUSD School Board has already voted to turn over the operation of 12 underperforming schools (called “focus schools”) and 20 new schools to various operators. Most of the campuses were awarded to teachers’ groups and Local Districts, Pilots, and other LAUSD operators. Two of the 32 campuses were awarded to charter operators, with two other charters winning portions of a campus shared with a teachers’ group or LAUSD operator. These operators are either honoring our union contract or have agreed to “contract with LAUSD” for the services we provide. Click here for more details on the outcomes of the last decision.

What happens next?17 additional schools have been selected by the LAUSD School Board. By June 25th, potential operators of these campuses will let the District know they are interested in running the school. Their applications will be due by December 1, 2010. An advisory vote (see below for details) will take place sometime in January.

Will our jobs be outsourced?Nothing in the Public School Choice resolution requires layoffs or outsourcing.  In fact, many of the applicants are obligated to abide by LAUSD's current collective bargaining agreements.  While other applicants are not obligated to do so, several applicants have stated that they will voluntarily respect the agreements. Of course, some applicants have made less equivocal statements, such as stating they will work with LAUSD to determine the school's operational requirements, or will contract with LAUSD for support services. Very few groups have been silent regarding workforce issues.

How can I voice my opinion?The Public School Choice process provides several opportunities for employees, parents and other community members to give their opinions about the future of their school.  

Presentations to the Community
First, all applicants are required to make presentations to the community regarding their educational vision.  Details can be found on the Public School Choice website.

Advisory Vote
What is the Advisory Vote?
The advisory vote will allow stakeholders to voice their opinions about the Public School Choice Resolution.  Eligible voters will be asked to rank each applicant's proposal from most to least favorable. Although the vote is advisory, it is the best opportunity for employees, parents and other school stakeholders to tell Superintendent Cortines how they expect their schools to be run in the future.

Who can vote?
According to the District’s Public School Choice web page, the eligible voters are:
  1. All employees at relieved schools for new school sites.
  2. All parents and guardians of students enrolled in:
    • the relieved schools
    • the feeder schools for relieved/new schools
    • a school other than those listed above for reason of special education placement providing the “home” school is one of those listed above
  3. Community members

Parents and guardians of students enrolled at these schools are entitled to one vote per child.

When and Where will the Vote Occur?
In the past, voting has occurred over two days at multiple sites. We will receive more information as the Advisory Vote date nears. It is expected to occur in January 2011.

Public Comment
Additionally, the public has the right to address the Board during the public comment periods of its regularly scheduled board meetings.

Letters with this information are being sent to SEIU Local 99 members working at all Second Year PSC schools and the affected schools. These members will receive ongoing communication to ensure their participation in the decisions affecting their schools.

We can also stay informed be reviewing the District's Public School Choice Resolution website.