Southeast County Group Wants Out of L.A. Schools
A movement by southeast Los Angeles County communities to break away from the Los Angeles Unified School District now has a name: SECEDE (Southeast Cities for Education, Empowerment.)
During a meeting of the fledgling group last week, representatives of several southeast cities adopted the name and established a framework for the effort.
The board of directors for the group will include two elected representatives and one parent from each of the cities of Huntington Park, Bell, Maywood, Cudahy, South Gate and Vernon. Supporters of the movement are drafting a mission statement, which requires the approval of each city council.
The discussions are the latest in a districtwide debate over the breakup of the massive district, which was renewed by the recent controversy over the district’s buyout of Supt. Ruben Zacarias’ contract.
Supporters of the breakup say the district has neglected the working-class children of the southeast communities and has failed to ease school overcrowding, among other problems.
“We seem to be in a very logical place for a breakup,” said Huntington Park Mayor Rosario Marin.
The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Turner Hall, 4835 Clara St., Cudahy.
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