The Los Angeles Unified School District board of education voted unanimously last week to approve a $7.6 billion operating budget for 2016-17 that includes money to expand arts programs, enhance instruction at secondary schools and provide additional support for students with great needs.

LAUDS board president Steve Zimmer said the new budget will help the district build on progress made in recent years. (photo by Gregory Cornfield)

The budget is the first for Superintendent Michelle King, the 30-year LAUSD veteran who was promoted in January to be the district’s top administrator. Along with the budget, the board approved the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) that details how targeted state revenue will be spent to improve outcomes for low-income students, English-learners and foster youth. These students comprise 84 percent of the LAUSD’s enrollment.

“I have participated in many budget discussions over the years, but this is the first time this has been my budget,” King said. “I am proud that these investments support a whole-child approach, are equitable and reflect the input gathered from our stakeholders.”

Between August and June, LAUSD held more than 50 meetings with students, parents, employees and community members on goals, targets and strategies for the upcoming academic year. The top priorities included new and expanded electives, lower student-to-teacher ratios, continued investments in school climate and restorative justice programs and “wrap-around” services like nursing.

LAUSD used these goals to allocate additional resources for deserving students, including more services for foster and homeless youth, additional restorative justice counselors, and increased college and academic counseling at high schools. In addition, every middle and high school, and the 55 elementary schools with the greatest need, will receive an additional teacher to help reduce class size or increase elective offerings.

Board president Steve Zimmer called for LAUSD to continue its efforts to close the achievement gap, from transitional kindergarten through high school.

“We do want to see what works and continue to make sure that the investments we make are having transformative outcomes,” Zimmer said. “This budget represents hard work and a hard fight for equity and adequacy. It’s not yet an aspirational budget driven by what it could be. This is an all-together-now budget. As we look toward next year, it has to be an all-together-now, with a new kind of urgency and vision as to what could be. Like our graduates and transitional kindergarten students, we have to keep striving for more and greater in everything that we do.”

Board member Mónica Garcia said the district prioritizes 100 percent graduation and strong support systems for students.

“While we have more work to do, we acknowledge our district leadership for budgeting with purpose and setting the blueprint for academic success for every child in Los Angeles,” Garcia said. “Superintendent King has affirmed L.A. Unified’s commitment to achieving excellence, equity, eliminating the opportunity gap and increasing local control in our schools.”

In response to a recent decision by the California Department of Education challenging how the district allocated revenue under the Local Control Funding Formula, $245 million is reserved until the issue is resolved.

School districts are required by law to balance their budgets, and LAUSD imposed a number of cost-cutting measures to make the district more efficient and its operative more cost-effective. Board members also spoke of their frustration over state funding of public education.