L.A. school district sued by groups that claim teacher layoffs are unconstitutional
By APWednesday, February 24, 2010
L.A. school district sued over teacher layoffs
LOS ANGELES — A civil rights group has sued the Los Angeles Unified School District and the state, claiming thousands of teacher layoffs deprive poor inner-city children of their right to an education.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday contends the budget-cutting measures disproportionately affect schools in low-income and minority areas. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California claims that violates the state constitution.
The nation’s second-largest school district last year laid off more than 2,000 instructors to help close a huge budget gap. Because of seniority rules, newer teachers went first and most of them were in poorer neighborhoods.
The lawsuit seeks to block all future budget-related layoffs and seeks class-action status.
