Los Angeles Plans to Offer Zoning Exemptions for Some Public Charter Schools

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_9803824

In response to charges that the Los Angeles Unified School District is failing to offer public charter schools a fair share of space on traditional campuses, district officials say they are prepared to offer regulatory help to up to ten public charter schools by exempting them from city and county zoning ordinances. Senior Deputy Superintendent Ray Cortines said the pilot program is part of a district effort to show a "new face" in dealing with public charter schools. "We are exploring new territory of the school district in this activity ... my effort is to support charters and help them find adequate space," he said. Public charter school advocates say that while the effort is welcome, more is needed to meet the guarantees under Proposition 39 and the program should be extended to all public charters. "Ten is a completely arbitrary number. They should waive (the zoning ordinances) for every school that needs it," said Caprice Young of the California Charter Schools Association. "The problem with being arbitrary is it's leaving kids on the street again." She said it also is unclear whether the proposal will provide the intended zoning relief or simply add more bureaucratic roadblocks. District officials said details of the policy still need to be worked out.

Source: Los Angeles Daily News
Date: 07/04/2008