In a move to concentrate funds in the most needy schools, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education voted 6-1 to raise the poverty threshold for school's eligibility for federal Title I funding, reports Howard Blume of the LA Times.
As a result, 23 schools in the district will lose thousands of dollars in federal funding, in addition to the draconian cuts in state funds.
(Title I funds, established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, are designed to help bridge the gap between low-income students and the rest of the student population).
Districts are allowed to set their own poverty threshold limit: currently LAUSD allows schools to receive Title I funds if a minimum of 40% of the student population qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program. Under the new rules, the threshold will be increased to 50%.
For one school, Superior Street Elementary with 43% low-income students, this means a $200,000 reduction in funds, which leaves no money to pay for an instructional coach, intervention teachers, teacher aides, a library aide, and a clerical worker who doubles a nurse.
The school's Academic Performance Index (API) is currently at 912, making it a top-tier school.
“We could not have made these gains without the support of this funding for these children,” said Principal Jerilyn Schubert, above.
The problem is federal aid is likely to shrink about 3% to $328.2 million next year. LASUSD Superintendent John Deasy said he expects to redistribute $4.9 million to schools above the 50% threshold.
"There’s not enough money to go around, so I’ve got to get the most bang,” said board member Richard Vladovic, explaining his vote to reduce the number of schools getting the aid. “The minute you water that down, then we can’t help anyone. We’ve spread it now probably too thin.”
The move was angrily opposed by board member Tamar Galatzan, but in the end the members sided with Vladovic. Galatzan complained that the district provided no data to show how the money was going to be used.
“I’m devastated,” said Schubert after the vote. “I just want to cry. I really do.”
LAUSD is not the only district to consider this option as schools struggle to find ways to match funds with needs: San Diego Unified School District voted on but then recently rescinded a plan to raise the threshold from 40% to 75%.
Written for California's Children by Elizabeth J Carlyle.
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