Parents Sue District over Compton School Dispute

Compton - Parents seeking to convert a Compton elementary school to a charter campus sued the Compton Unified School District today, claiming the district is stopping them.

Six parents of students at McKinley Elementary School are using the state's "parent trigger law" to convert the struggling school into an independent charter.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O'Brien issued a temporary order blocking the district from using what the parents claim is a complicated and unfair process for verifying signatures on their charter school petition.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a statement supporting the parents.

"Regardless of ZIP code or income level, every child has the right to a quality education," the mayor said. "I know from personal experience that having an excellent teacher and a stable classroom environment can mean everything to a student, especially one who is having trouble."

Villaraigosa also said he supports "parents everywhere who are standing up to demand better for their children and will continue to stand with the courageous Compton parents who are fighting for what all students deserve: a world-class education."

Another hearing is set for Feb. 24.