L.A. Unified weighs facility fees for youth groups to narrow budget gap
Given the task of closing a gaping budget shortfall for the coming school year, Los Angeles schools Supt. David Brewer has angered leaders of after-school youth groups with his proposal that the groups pay to use school district athletic fields and other facilities.
Brewer included the so-called pay to play proposal among many cost-saving measures aimed at closing a $95-million shortfall in the $6.2-billion general fund budget he presented to the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education on Tuesday.
After a long discussion with Brewer and other staff members, the board was expected to vote on the budget late Tuesday or at a meeting Thursday.
Until now, the district has charged adult groups to use school fields and facilities but has offered them at no cost to youth organizations. District officials estimated that the new fees would bring in about $4.8 million annually. The plan calls for the district to charge groups $78 for a permit and $84 more each time they use facilities.
“In a tight budget situation, it is just time to recover some of these costs,” Brewer told board members. “The reality is tough, tough, tough decisions, but $95 million is $95 million, and we need to find it somewhere.”
Brewer said other area school districts and city governments charge youth groups.
Regardless, the proposal drew quick, harsh protests from youth group leaders.
Robert Garcia, director of the City Project, an advocacy group, criticized Brewer for not allowing more public input. A similar proposal was made in 2005 but was rejected by the board after a concerted protest by community groups.
“They cannot balance the LAUSD budget on the health of our children,” Garcia said.
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