Key Takeaways
- Inglewood, California, is facing a public school crisis, with the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) struggling financially and academically.
- The district has been in receivership since 2012, with the state overseeing its finances and operations.
- Longtime residents and activists argue that the takeover has failed to improve outcomes and has instead led to school closures, displacing families and disrupting the community.
- The city’s redevelopment efforts, including the construction of new sports stadiums and hotels, have brought in outside investment but also raised concerns about gentrification and the displacement of low-income families.
- Parents and activists are fighting to save their schools and take back local control of the district.
Introduction to Inglewood’s School Crisis
Inglewood, California, a city located just a few miles east of Los Angeles International Airport, is facing a public school crisis. The Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) has been struggling financially and academically, leading to a series of school closures that have left many families without access to quality education. The district’s problems began in the early 2000s, when the NBA champion Lakers left the city and the nearby Hollywood Park racetrack closed, leading to a significant decline in revenue. Despite efforts to revitalize the city, including the construction of new sports stadiums and hotels, the school district continues to struggle.
The Takeover of IUSD
In 2012, the state of California took over the IUSD, citing financial mismanagement and low academic performance. The takeover was facilitated by SB 533, a law that allowed the state to intervene in struggling school districts. The law was Championed by then-state senator Rod Wright, who represented Inglewood. However, many critics argue that the takeover was a political overreach that has failed to improve outcomes for students. Instead, the district has continued to struggle, with enrollment plummeting from 18,000 students in the early 2000s to fewer than 7,000 today.
The Impact of School Closures
The closure of schools in Inglewood has had a devastating impact on the community. Many families have been displaced, and students have been forced to attend schools in other districts. The closures have also led to a decline in property values and an increase in traffic, as students are forced to commute to schools outside of their neighborhood. Longtime residents and activists argue that the closures are a result of the district’s efforts to "right-size" and consolidate resources, but they believe that this approach has failed to address the underlying issues facing the district.
Competing Visions for IUSD
There are competing visions for the future of IUSD. James Morris, the county-appointed administrator, believes that the district needs to "right-size" and consolidate resources in order to improve academic performance and attract more students. However, longtime residents and activists argue that this approach will only lead to further displacement and disruption of the community. They believe that the district should focus on investing in its existing schools and communities, rather than closing them down.
The Role of Outside Investment
The city’s redevelopment efforts, including the construction of new sports stadiums and hotels, have brought in outside investment and raised concerns about gentrification and the displacement of low-income families. While some argue that these investments will bring in new revenue and jobs, others believe that they will only exacerbate the existing inequalities in the city. The Intuit Dome, a new stadium being constructed in the city, has already led to the displacement of families in nearby rent-stabilized apartments, and the redevelopment of the area has raised property values and made it difficult for low-income families to afford housing.
The Fight to Save IUSD
Despite the challenges facing the district, there are many parents and activists who are fighting to save their schools and take back local control of the district. Victoria Preciado, a lifelong Inglewood resident and teacher, has been leading the charge to stop school closures and take back control of the district. She believes that the community must come together to demand better from its leaders and to fight for the rights of its students. The fight to save IUSD is a complex and ongoing issue, with many different stakeholders and competing visions for the future of the district. However, one thing is certain: the future of the district will depend on the ability of the community to come together and demand better for its students.