Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday called for renewed contract talks between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the teachers’ union in hopes of resolving the educators’ strike.
“This impasse is disrupting the lives of too many kids and their families,” Newsom said in a statement issued by his office. “I strongly urge all parties to go back to the negotiating table and find an immediate path forward that puts kids back into classrooms and provides parents certainty.”
Newsom said the budget proposal he released last week “would make the largest ever investment in K-through-12 education, help pay down billions in school district pension debt and provide substantial new funding for special education and early education.”
“The budget also makes substantial additional investments in counties and providers by supporting children experiencing mental illness and investing in homelessness services — all of which can translate into additional services and support for children served by LAUSD,” Newsom said.
Newsom’s budget proposal prompted the LAUSD to submit a revised contract offer to the union on Friday, increasing the number of teachers and support staff for the coming school year. United Teachers Los Angeles, however, rejected the offer, saying the proposed additional staffing would have little impact and calling a more extensive investment by the district in campus improvements.