[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he teachers strike is happening because of Superintendent Austin Beutner and School Board policy of not contradicting him publicly during the negotiations, according to L.A. Unified School Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson.
“I believe that there are resources available to end this strike,” Schmerelson said in a statement. “What I do not see from Austin Beutner, and his supporters, is the political will to substitute constructive negotiations for the fear mongering, expensive taxpayer funded ads, slanted editorials, and endless press conferences.”
Schmerelson's statement comes on the heels of news that school attendance dropped 22 percent from already tiny numbers the previous two days. Only about 132,000 students of the 600,000-plus in the district attended Wednesday. Since 90 percent of school funding comes from attendance, this represents a huge financial hit for the district. L.A. Unified estimates its losses at around $70 million.
The last time UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl and Beutner were at the negotiating table, their respective statements indicated both sides were about $200 to $400 million apart in funding for new hires, which would help to lower class sizes.