LOS ANGELES () — As students prepare to head back to school, the Los Angeles Unified School District has a new leader, thrust into office when the FBI raided the home and office of his predecessor.
Superintendent Andrés E. Chait inherits a district described as on the rise academically, but facing serious challenges: a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, employee layoffs, declining enrollment and more.
Chait started with the district nearly 30 years ago as a kindergarten teacher. He told Eyewitness News Anchor Marc Brown his goals are to continue growing academic achievement by students, address significant financial challenges and grow enrollment.
“About 20% of the kids that live in L.A. don’t go to our schools. Now that may be for any number of reasons, choices that parents make, and so on. Part of my charge, part of my responsibility, is to make our district all the more appealing to those families to try to bring some of those folks either into our system for the first time, or in many cases, back into our schools,” Chait explained. He also discussed the possibility of school consolidation and funding challenges.
When it comes to fears of immigration enforcement raids, Superintendent Chait reiterated the protocols in place. That includes what to do if agents show up to a school demanding access to an individual, patrols looking for potential immigration enforcement activity and providing safe passage to and from school for students. Some students are transported directly between school and home due to fears of enforcement.
“Historically, usually we only provide that level of transportation for students with special education needs, but because of what we’re dealing with right now, we offer to families where the bus will come directly to your door, pick up your child, take them to school, and then bring them back in the afternoon. We’ve had well over 1,000 families in the past year that have taken us up on that service,” Chait said.
Hear Chait’s thoughts about potential layoffs, school consolidation and more on Eyewitness Newsmakers with Marc Brown in the video player above.
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