The 2UrbanGirls inbox has been overflowing with letters to the editor, to many happenings across Los Angeles County. Here is the latest from the city of Compton. **Disclaimer, the photo used in this article is NOT the author of this letter to the editor.**
2UrbanGirls,
Now that election season is over, in the famous words of Meg Whitman; Let’s get down to brass tacks! This is such an exciting time to be watching activism grow in any community especially the City of Compton. I haven’t seen this much activism since Concern Citizens of Compton formed to usher in former Mayor Perrodin into office. The only difference between then and now is they had organization and appointed a leader. Please Compton Advocates, The Camp and Frontline who are all the same people; please pick an official name and appoint a leader; to many chiefs not enough Indians.
So what about this budget deficit? The loudest ones in the Eye Witness News In Compton around election time are now shying away from all the real questions pertaining to the real issues being asked. The answer just can’t be burn them at the stakes!! Compton needs real solutions to very real problems.
Budget Deficit, Potholes, Bond Measure, sub par City Services! Inquiring Community Minds would like to know how Councilwoman-Elect Chambers plans to go about accelerated pothole repair, while curing the budget deficit all without levying a bond on Measure P funds. Oh Yes! And continuing funding City Departments from the general fund that should be funded by grant funding like Career Link.
The Perrodin administration took bold steps in saving money (even though they spent so much) by not funding the Christmas parade and various other events during their first year as a voting block. Councilwoman Arceneaux even went as far as to not having a Council Liaison and then opting to only have a part-time worker. Councilman Isadore Hall fundraised in his officeholders account to solicit funds to host events on behalf of his council district, one event that we still see replicated but now sponsored using city funds: 4th District Business Roundtable.
PLEASE!!!! Get it together before you set your eyes on Compton School District. You’re entering the world of Academia. Learn to read, comprehend and speak with folks that understand or have some type of understanding of K-12 education. There is already stuff being thrown out that makes absolutely NO SENSE!
For example: Salary of the CUSD (Compton) Superintendent being compared to that of ABC (Cerritos) Superintendent. Compare the number of schools, number of students, number of employees and you will quickly realize the workload is different. CUSD Superintendent deserves a bonus because ABC Superintendent doesn’t have the craziness from the few community members that have made up issues.
2001 Bond Measure is different from the 2015 Bond Measure. No, you can’t use bond money to purchase books, paper or give teachers a raise. CUSD can’t get your children tutors with those funds either. Usually when you want to have extra funding for things like that, you present a Parcel Tax measure to the voters like Los Angeles just did with Measure EE.
So here is some homework:What population of students does CUSD serve? (hint: Compton has the highest population of foster care in LA County)
How is education funded in Compton? (hint: How much does CUSD get from the lottery fund vs. Local Control Funding Formula)
How much does it cost to build a High School in 2019 for over 2,000 high school students to attend (hint: Compton High has a student population of over 2,000 students)
What programs are funded strictly from special funds (hint: Did you know student nutrition department is self sufficient. For each free lunch that is given to a student, the district is reimbursed for that lunch. The department should be paying for itself)
Did you know before ANY funds from the yearly budget can be expended, CUSD Board is not the only board that has to certify the budget? (Hint: CUSD Board can have their budget rejected and revised by the County Office of Education if its not balanced and have enough allocated in reserve)
How much does CUSD have to keep in their reserve?
In the end CUSD’s budget is the size of City of Compton, Carson and Lynwood combined and is the largest employer (over 5,000 employees) in the community. Student Achievement (what is that?) should be at the forefront of your advocacy when entering the board room.
Lastly, Congrats Council Member Sharif and Council Member-Elect Chambers! We are all looking forward to see what this three vote block will do.By the way, I added this picture of Ms. Boone because she is always well versed on the budget and issues when she presents herself at council meetings. Be like Ms. Boone.
Ready for Change
