POV: Saving Los Angeles' Schools

Los Angeles - FOX 11 Vice President & General Manager Kevin Hale poses the question: Will LAUSD's gung-ho new superintendent get resistance from the teachers' union as he tries to save Los Angeles' schools?

You can watch the full video of the editorial in the media player... and share your comments on the topic below the editorial transcript.

Full Editorial Text:

LAUSD’S new superintendent John Deasy didn’t waste any time getting into the trenches to deal with the district’s budget mess.

Attempting to preserve thousands of jobs, he’s worked up an emergency plan, which will also save the district hundreds of millions of dollars.

At its core, the plan asks LAUSD employees to take 12 furlough days, what amounts to a six percent pay cut. The plan also borrows money from district accounts such as the health and welfare reserve fund.

The urgency is clear: LAUSD is facing a $408 million deficit for the 2011-12 school year which would force the layoff of more than 5,000 employees.

Deasy’s doing what he has to do. And he’s hoping to do it fast.

Now, it’s up to the unions to do what they have to do. These are tough times we’re in, and sacrifices are being made nationwide.

Although Deasy wants this settled by May 1, the teacher’s union is bracing for a fight, calling the furlough days an extreme sacrifice and plotting a counteroffer which will likely attempt to blunt the momentum on reforms… reforms such as teacher evaluations and the ability for independent operators to bid on failing district schools.

Really?

Thousands of jobs are on the line, affecting our kids in every way. We urge UTLA to reach across the table and keep our children from losing their teachers.

This is no time for posturing. This is real.

And now is the time for teacher’s union to cooperate with Deasy and do the right thing for our kids.

Thanks for listening.

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