LAUSD Reverses Plan to Cut Psychologists, Counselors

Worried parents and mental health workers lined up for over an hour, waiting to attend the Los Angeles School District's board meeting Tuesday morning.

"We are here because I have had enough with the budget cuts," UTLA member Barbara Schaefer said.

The board was deliberating over whether to keep 208 psychologists and counselors on the district's payroll, something members of the teacher's union couldn't stand to believe.

"Society isn't aware that we have a very important role in the schools," Barbara continued.

"We are the first responders when there is a crisis. We also provide prevention services and intervention services to students of all ages."

Some parents that were waiting in line said that although they understand the budget cuts are necessary, they don't understand why the children are the ones that suffer the consequences.

''Its very sad and tragic that the district doesn't value the psychiatric social workers as well as health in human services," UTLA member John Paul Cabrera said. "They have the money, just fund the positions of the general funds."

And that is exactly what they did. The school board voted unanimously to keep funding the mental health workers by using their general funds. 

That action took many parents by surprise.

"We are investing in lives," one parent said. "We are trying to help them in the future, their careers are at stake."

When asked to address the board's change of heart, LAUSD officials declined to give a statement.