Reseda Cleveland basketball team in possible violation of LAUSD practice policy

The Reseda Cleveland boys’ basketball team has practiced three times this week at Crespi High in possible violation of a Los Angeles Unified School District policy banning organized practices by teams and coaches during the teachers’ strike.

Crespi coach Russell White confirmed that he allowed use of the gym after Cleveland coach John Fischer purchased an insurance policy through his club team. Also, Fischer attended at least one of the practices. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who has yet to become an official assistant at the school, has been running the practices.

The LAUSD has banned after-school activities for sports programs and barred relocating practices to off-campus sites for sports in season since the teachers’ strike began Monday. Students are allowed to set up their own practices without coaches employed by the district.

Fairfax and Westchester basketball teams have been working out at off-campus sites run by players. Taft players are set to hold a practice session run by a parent at the Pacific Lodge gym in Woodland Hills.

Fischer, a walk-on coach, said he has not participated in the practices but wanted to make sure his players stayed in shape during the week-long work stoppage. He said, “You don’t think City teams aren’t practicing with their coaches?”

It remains to be seen what kind of disciplinary action would be taken by a school or the district. The policy is from LAUSD, not the City Section.