According to a release from the groups Californians for Justice and the Campaign for Quality Education, LBUSD student and parent leaders will hold a march and rally to “challenge the lack of leadership and action from State Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, on Governor Brown’s proposal for a new state school funding formula.”
Introduced this January, the Governor’s “Weighted Student Formula” proposal would provide all school districts with an equal level of base funding and then give districts additional weighted funding for low-income and English learner students. School districts that Senator Lowenthal represents, including Long Beach and Los Angeles Unified, would see a significant increase in funding through the proposal.
Stated the groups, “Since January, Senator Lowenthal has taken little or no action to support the Governor’s proposal, which must be voted on by the Legislature as part of the budget process this June. After collecting petitions, writing letters, and traveling to Sacramento to meet with his office, Long Beach leaders have grown increasingly frustrated with Senator Lowenthal who seems busier running for Congress than fighting for their future. Students, parents, and allies will deliver a simple message: Our Future Can’t Wait!”
The rally begins today at 3:30pm at Lincoln Park, located at Broadway Street and Pacific Avenue in downtown Long Beach; the march will end at 4:00pm at Senator Lowenthal’s Long Beach office, located at located at 115 Pine Ave., Long Beach, 90802.