Potential School Closures in Los Angeles Due to Strike

Los Angeles schools may face closures next week as around 85% of district employees intend to strike for increased wages, despite the district reportedly having $5 billion in reserves.

A representative from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) mentioned that during spring break, discussions with the Los Angeles Unified Teachers Union (UTLA), the Los Angeles Associate Administrators Association (AALA), and partner trade unions resulted in an agreement being reached with the trades.

“The district has made significant efforts to respond thoughtfully to labor proposals, and its offers are among the most generous statewide,” the spokesperson said. However, the unions preparing for a strike next Tuesday seem dissatisfied with the proposed terms.

LAUSD, which serves hundreds of K-12 schools and over 500,000 students, has until Tuesday to find a resolution or the strike will proceed. District officials have created a website to assist families with food distribution and mental health services if schools do close.

Charmel Lee, a special education assistant affiliated with the Service Employees International Union Local 99, expressed, “We don’t want to strike, but if it means our families can survive and our students get the support they need, then we’ll have to.”

District officials confirmed that if two of the three unions withdraw, it’s likely that schools will shut down.

Union members are frustrated, believing that the district is holding substantial reserves. “With over $5 billion available, we believe LAUSD can certainly provide fair contracts for all employees,” commented UTLA Vice President-elect Jessica Rodarte.

A spokesperson for the district responded, stating that all reserves are currently earmarked for ongoing expenditures. They also claimed that the expected financial balance by the end of June 2026 will be around $3.8 billion, including funds legally restricted for specific uses.

“Los Angeles Unified is facing a spending deficit, where expenditures exceed revenue. If this pattern continues, unrestricted reserves could be depleted within two years,” the spokesperson added.

The three unions encompass different priorities and contracts, together representing about 70,000 of the 83,000 employees in roles from food service to administrative positions.

“We keep engaging with labor partners this week and are open for discussions until a consensus is achieved. We advise families and employees to check the District’s Labor Updates page for the latest news,” the spokesperson noted.

No responses have been received from the unions regarding inquiries.

As the threat of a strike looms, the district confronts challenges, including a projected $191 million deficit and decreasing enrollment, leading to warnings about potential layoffs and job reductions.

During the Trump administration, funding threats to California’s education were linked to policies about parental notifications and transgender athlete guidelines. LAUSD has recently faced federal scrutiny for policies allowing staff to keep students’ gender identities from their parents.

“The district is dedicated to reaching agreements that not only support our employees but also ensure the district’s long-term financial health,” a district spokesperson reiterated.

To avert a strike, all parties need to negotiate with genuine intent towards fair solutions. Up until now, the district has successfully reached agreements with five of its eight labor partners and is ready to work continuously to settle with teachers, administrators, and service staff.

In February, employees from the San Francisco School District struck for the first time in decades, seeking better pay and health benefits.