Personal tools

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Sections
You are here: Home → Newsroom → IDEA News → Archive → Jan. 11: Uncertainty in education: 'Which Way, LA?' discusses
 

Jan. 11: Uncertainty in education: 'Which Way, LA?' discusses

— filed under:
  • 01-12-2011
  • Bookmark and Share

Radio guest John Rogers discussed the importance of increasing revenues not only for schools, but also social services.

The new year started off with uncertainty for public education--new leaders, new budgets... new taxes?

Less than two weeks into 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled a budget that spared K-12 education, but only with conditions. Brown also chose not to fill the Secretary of Education position and appointed seven new members to the state Board of Education. Locally, Los Angeles Unified board members voted on a new superintendent.

KCRW's Which Way, L.A.? on Tuesday discussed the importance and possible implications of these events. Featured on the show were IDEA Director John Rogers, LAUSD board members Steve Zimmer and Tamar Galatzan, former member Caprice Young and A.J. Duffy with United Teachers LA.

Brown's budget called for $12.5 billion in spending cuts and another $12 billion in modifications and extending taxes. Brown spared K-12 education from more cuts, but only if voters choose to extend temporary taxes set to expire this year.

Rogers, saying that Los Angeles public schools are facing the worst budget since the Great Depression, referred to the possible revenue as "critically important." Besides $2 billion in taxes for public education, other revenues would fund social welfare and public health programs.

"It's those programs that shape how young people are coming into the schools," he said. "We need young people coming into the schools healthy and ready to learn."

Also discussed was the appointment of John Deasy as LAUSD's new superintendent. Though some guests discussed the lack of an open, national search for the replacement of retiring Supt. Ramon Cortines, all said Deasy was a talented leader and could collaborate for system-wide district reform.

*To hear entire show, visit Which Way, L.A.? website.

Document Actions