Which Way, L.A.?
More Big Cuts to Be Made at Los Angeles Unified Schools
At LAUSD 12,000 pink slips have gone out and adult classes and other programs are pegged for cancellation. We talk with the Superintendent of Schools and President of UTLA.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenBudget cuts at LA Unified aren't quite as deep as expected, but almost 12,000 pink slips have gone out, and adult classes and other programs are scheduled for cancellation. After four years of concessions, the teachers' union is being asked to give up still more. We talk with the President of the UTLA and the Superintendent of Schools. Also, besieged by state budget cuts and student demand, Santa Monica College wants to provide extra classes at a higher cost. Is that legal? Would it effectively privatize public education? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the "Solid South" isn't solid after all.
Banner image: Members of UTLA attend the 'Stop the Insanity' rally on March 13, 2012, demanding that pink slips be rescinded immediately
In this episode
3 storiesSanta Monica College to Adopt Tiered Pricing System
Faced with state funding cuts, Santa Monica College can't keep up with student demand. So the governing board has approved a plan to provide extra classes after the regular ones are full. There's a catch. Regular classes will cost $46 a unit, but the extras will be $180 .
Read the story13 minThe Rationing of Public Education
LA's elected school board passed a preliminary worst-case budget last night with just one dissenting vote. Although the cuts were not as severe as expected, the $6 billion plan would still eliminate thousands of jobs, close all the adult schools and cut some after-school programs as well as music and art at elementary schools.
Read the story17 minThe Southern Primaries and the GOP
Rick Santorum won both Alabama and Mississippi yesterday. Newt Gingrich took second place in states even he said he needed. Santorum is claiming he's now the real, conservative alternative to Mitt Romney , who came in third. If Romney can't capture the Southern conservative base of the party, why is he still the likely GOP nominee?
Read the story21 min
