More than half a million students in the nation’s second largest school district returned to classes today. Although the Los Angeles Unified School District is facing a $640 million dollar budget deficit, officials say they’re proud of rising test scores and public-private partnerships.
This afternoon, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia for a welcome back pep rally at Santee High School in South L.A. The event was attended by a majority of the school’s 3,300 students and was sponsored by Fox Sports West TV, which helped pay for lunch and free gifts for students.
Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce attended the pep rally. He files this report from Los Angeles.