Neighbor News
South Gate Vice Mayor Al Rios Continues Pro Charter School Agenda
Since Al Rios took office the rapid expansion of unregulated charter schools has almost tripled costing LAUSD over $591 million annually.
A report by MGT of America found that LAUSD has lost an astonishing $591 million to unmitigated charter school growth this year alone. If costs associated with charter school expansion are not mitigated with common sense solutions, the district will face financial insolvency, according to an analysis of the report.
As the number of independent charter schools continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important for LAUSD to quantify, forecast, and manage the costs associated with independent charter expansion. LAUSD oversees more charter schools than any other district in the country. Charters are privately managed despite relying heavily on district and taxpayer funding.
Taken together, the findings in the report paint a picture of a system that prioritizes the growth opportunities for charter school operators over the educational opportunities for all students.
Find out what's happening in South Gate-Lynwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
South Gate, California, Vice Mayor Al Rios seems to be very cozy with his pro charter school allies who continue to support the defunding of the Los Angeles Unified School District. It's no secret that while charter schools use tax payer money, they are virtually unaccountable to the public, resulting in discriminatory enrollment practices and biases against special needs students and English language learners at many charters. It has led to documented cases of financial malfeasance, self-dealing and profiteering.
As a front group for billionaires, California Charter School Association(CCSA), has a plan to move one million students from public schools into charter schools by 2022. Al Rios is bidding to be the next mayor of South Gate, California, for 2021 and more than likely will use that power to further the charter school expansion in South Gate.
Find out what's happening in South Gate-Lynwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Many pro LAUSD groups and parents are unaware of the very supportive relationships Al Rios has with the pro charter corporate family. As the explosive growth of charter schools in South Gate continues it's obvious that the students from LAUSD in South Gate will be the ones that suffer the most with larger class sizes, program cuts, no arts or music, and lower academic performance. Some groups and parents are already organizing to voice opposition to Al Rios bid to become mayor because of his pro charter school views.