CCSA Media Kit: UTLA/LAUSD Strike

The CCSA Communications Team is available to answer questions related to charter schools in Los Angeles. The goal of this media kit is to provide one-stop location for the information you need about charter schools.

Media Inquiries/Requests for Interviews:

Caity Heim
cheim@ccsa.org
(916) 926-8234 

CCSA Statement

During a UTLA strike, independent charter public schools will be open and focused on maintaining a stable, high-quality learning environment. Student, parent, and staff safety is our top priority. We hope that LAUSD and UTLA are able to come to a quick resolution so we can shift our collective energy to the priorities that unify us. We should be marching together in Sacramento on behalf of all public schools to increase statewide funding for our most vulnerable students.

Most Frequently Asked Questions 

Will charter public schools be open to students if a strike occurs? [Are charter public schools still open?]

YES. In the event of a strike, independent charter public schools will continue operating without staffing interruptions to provide safe and secure, positive, learning environments. District-UTLA negotiations do not impact the ability of independent charter public schools to serve students and families. UTLA's contract and the district's budget are completely separate from independent charter schools.

Affiliated charter schools (non-autonomous or dependent) are a kind of charter school that is directly operated and governed by the school district, LAUSD. Affiliated charter school teachers are a part of the bargaining unit currently negotiating with LAUSD for a new contract and will be on strike. 

Are Charter Schools Public Schools?

Charter schools are public, free and open to all

Are charter schools unionized?

Charter schools, like all public schools, are subject to the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA) and the state's collective bargaining laws. The decision to unionize is made at the school level involving schools and their employees on a case by case basis. CCSA estimates that approximately 30 percent of charter schools in California have some form of a collective bargaining agreement or representation.

What is your position on the strike?

The California Charter Schools Association is not a party to the negotiations between UTLA and LAUSD. We hope the dispute can be resolved quickly.

During the strike Charter public schools will remain open and focused on providing high quality education to our public school students in LA. As long as the strike continues, charter school students will be busy learning. 

We agree that public schools in California need increased funding for all public schools. California, despite being a progressive leader on so many issues, is near the bottom in spending on public education. All public schools are underfunded and all public school teachers deserve more resources and support. Everyone in California who cares about public education needs to work together to focus on this very real issue.

Additional FAQ about the strike can be found here:

Frequently Asked Questions About a UTLA Strike and its Impact on Charter Schools
Answers to general questions about a UTLA strike and what that means for independent or affiliated charter schools.

Additional Resources

The following are resources for the media and public regarding on a potential strike by United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD):

Frequently Asked Questions Charter Schools 101
Answers to frequently asked questions about charter schools and what they mean for students, teachers and communities including an introductory overview of key issues. 

Fact Sheet: LAUSD Charter Schools
Charter school growth and enrollment, student demographics and academic performance statistics of charter public schools in LAUSD.

Independent Charter Schools in LAUSD
A list of independent charter schools located within LAUSD. All independent charter schools in Los Angeles operate as nonprofit organizations and are separate from, but closely overseen, by LAUSD. They are also not part of current collective bargaining negotiations between LAUSD and UTLA. These schools will be open during a strike. 

Affiliated Charter Schools in LAUSD
A list of all LAUSD affiliated charter public schools. These schools are directly operated and governed by LAUSD. Their teachers are part of current collective bargaining negotiations between LAUSD and UTLA. While LAUSD has communicated that these schools will remain open during a strike, their staffing will most likely be impacted. Please contact LAUSD directly for more questions about affiliated charter schools.

News & Press

For media inquiries, please contact Caity Heim at cheim@ccsa.org or (916) 926-8234.

CCSA: We Should Be Marching Together in Sacramento for More School Funding for All Kids
CCSA Press Release on CCSA's commitment to serving members during the UTLA strike.

Open letter to UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl
CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón's open letter to UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl on the UTLA strike and student safety.

Statement from CCSA on Call by UTLA for Charter School Cap
CCSA's official statement on UTLA's call for a cap on charter public schools in Los Angeles.