PHOTO: Logan Span School’s auditorium was taken over by Gabriella charter company for “office space” when they first co-located the campus in 2010. 

Under California Proposition 39, charter school companies are authorized to co-locate public school property by claiming any so-called unused classroom and learning space. The district’s implementation of Prop 39 has allowed co-locating charter schools to take space away from neighborhood schools.

Logan Span School’s auditorium was taken over by Gabriella charter company for “office space” when they first co-located the campus in 2010. The Logan Span School community organized to push back and reclaim their auditorium, but charter co-location continues to drain resources for Logan students.

During the August 22 school board meeting, Logan Span School Dual-Language teacher Alejandrina Sosa said that their students can’t get the appropriate learning space they need because of charter co-location on their campus.

“As a Community School, one of our goals is to expand academic and enrichment programs for all our students,” Sosa said. “At Logan, our focus is on ecology, but we do not have space for a science lab. Students do not have access to an art room, a media technology lab, and additional recreational space or sports area. They walk around lugging their books and laptops because we have no room for lockers. There is very little oversight over our co-location.” 

Because of the tireless organizing by UTLA educators, students, families, and community members, the school board is considering a resolution to increase oversight of charter co-location and reduce the impact on neighborhood schools in LAUSD. On Tuesday, September 19, the school board will discuss the resolution and on September 26, they will hold a vote. See page 6 of this document for the full text of the resolution.

We know this will not be passed without a fight. We can expect that the profit-driven California Charter Schools Association will try to use their power to influence the school board and undermine the voices of impacted educators, students, and parents. But we have the power to win when we stand up together.

Join educators, parents, and community members on Tuesday, September 26, to demand the school board protect our schools and pass the resolution.
 
Where: LAUSD Board Meeting at 333 S. Beaudry
When: Tuesday, September 26 at 3:15 PM (or come as soon as you can)