Miramonte Reopens, Parents Protest New Changes
Miramonte Elementary School was set to reopen Thursday after a two-day closure.
The United Teachers Los Angeles and Miramonte parents held a news conference Thursday morning to criticize the school's implementation of a new staff. Additionally, every class as Miramonte will be taught by a team composed of an instructor and a counselor. This change-out follows a series of allegations and arrests of two former teachers, Berndt and Springer.
UTLA initially raised no objections to the changes but publicly criticized LAUSD today, accusing the shakeup of being unnecessarily disruptive to the students' education. UTLA President assures parents that the union will stand with the community who feels betrayed.
Many parents and teachers strongly oppose this decision, as protesters chanted "No new teachers" outside of the campus. Not only will this move cost the school district millions of dollars, but many parents are concerned about the affect it will have on the student's learning.
Superintendent John Deasy stands behind this move as an effort to reassure parents the abuse is being addressed forcefully. He also wants an investigation into the schools "culture of silence" that could allowed such lewd crimes to be carried out with impunity.
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