As government overseen charter schools expand in the Los Angeles area, the neighboring public schools have experienced a number issues. The rapid, unrestricted expansion of independent charter school has hurt Los Angeles Unified District members in a number of ways; most notably their pockets.
Averaging just under $85,000, LAUSD teachers and personnel staff salaries are among the lowest in the county because of a 20% decline in enrollment starting in 2006. Previously at 673,808 in 06-07, LAUSD enrollment declined to 542,433 in 2015. 20,000 LAUSD faculty members lost their jobs in the process. The cost of teachers decreased along with student enrollment.
At the same time, neighboring Los Angeles charter school enrollment has increased 189%, from 34,961 in 06-07 to 101,060 in 2015. While the financial impact is not the direct fault of charter schools, it's loose regulation is soaking up district and taxpayer funding, favoring the for-profit school operation.
More charter schools operate under LAUSD than any other in the nation, and new with powerful allies supporting privatized schooling like Betsy DeVos, for-profit education could dismantle the district entirely.
Other factors, such as a declining birth rate in Los Angeles, a deteriorating housing market, and increased cost of living have also lowered LAUSD enrollment rates.
