LAUSD Settles Lawsuit with Archdiocese Schools Over Denied Federal Funds
Isabel Dueñas stands in a classroom at San Miguel Catholic School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, guiding her transitional kindergarten students through reading lessons. As the children eagerly absorb the knowledge, little do they know that behind the scenes, a legal battle has been raging for their right to equitable education funding.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recently reached a settlement with the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles after a contentious 3-year lawsuit over the allocation of federal Title I funds meant for low-income students within the archdiocese. The district agreed to pay the $3 million it had previously withheld from archdiocese schools and committed to following federal regulations that mandate transparency and collaboration with the archdiocese.
Agreement Details and Implications
The settlement, covering the years 2018-19 and 2019-20, stemmed from LAUSD’s decision to revamp the method of determining student eligibility for Title I funding. This overhaul led to a drastic reduction in funding, from $9.5 million for 13,000 eligible students to a mere $757,000, leaving many students in need.
Uncovering the Controversy
The LAUSD school trustees quietly approved the settlement in a closed session on December 11, without disclosing specifics to the public. However, Paul Escala, superintendent of the Los Angeles Archdiocese schools, emphasized the significance of the agreement. He stressed that it ensures eligible non-public school students receive the services they are entitled to, highlighting the plight of Catholic school students in urban Los Angeles who face poverty and similar challenges as their public school peers.
A Legal Battle Unfolds
The California Department of Education intervened, criticizing LAUSD’s abrupt changes to the Title I eligibility process and the subsequent funding cuts to archdiocese schools. The department’s report characterized the district’s actions as arbitrary and in breach of federal law. Following an appeal to the U.S. Department of Education, LAUSD was mandated to rectify the inaccuracies and provide the denied services within specific timelines.
The Path to Resolution
After months of legal wrangling, LAUSD was ordered by a county judge to release pertinent documents and pay legal fees to the archdiocese. Subsequently, the archdiocese leveraged these revelations to resume settlement talks, resulting in a mutually agreed-upon resolution. The terms align with federal recommendations, allowing the archdiocese greater control over directing Title I funds to schools with the most intensive needs.
Looking Ahead
While the $3 million settlement falls short of the pre-lawsuit funding levels, it signifies a step towards rectifying past injustices. Escala and Tagorda expressed hope for continued collaboration with LAUSD under Superintendent Carvalho’s leadership, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent funding mechanisms for all students, regardless of school type.
As the dust settles on this legal saga, the focus now shifts to ensuring that every child, whether in public or private institutions, receives the support they deserve to thrive academically and beyond.
