The Los Angeles Board of Education cut the school police budget by 35%, $25 million to be exact, in response to George Floyd‘s death and police brutality.
What We Know:
- A 13-hour meeting to vote to reduce the police reform started with public comments over the issue. The teachers’ union and several local civic and school organizations have spoken out demanding the board reform its policing strategy.
- The Los Angeles School Police Department has around 410 sworn officers and 101 non-sworn safety officers, according to the department. The board action called for the officers to give up their uniforms and patrol off-campus. It will also lead to the layoffs of 65 officers in the 471-employee department.
- “L.A. Unified has to continue to be a leader in showing what can happen when we believe in self-determination, when we empower communities to help this organization transform itself,” said board member Monica Garcia.
- “The school board’s action is a huge first step in the campaign for police-free schools and ground-breaking in terms of our movement for supporting Black lives in our schools,” said United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz in a statement.
- It was not a unanimous decision. The vote was 4-3 because of concerns for school safety in the event of an emergency or active shooter. They are still discussing if police officers will be armed on duty.
The cut of $25 million will be used for other programs and was included in the district’s overall $8.9 billion budget.
