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Parents praise cultural mariachi program but urge accountability over $95,000 contract and curriculum
Summary
Several parents and participants told the Lynwood Unified board the district-funded mariachi after-school program provides cultural and social benefits but raised complaints about inconsistent instruction, communication and program management; a parent said the nonprofit contract involved about $95,000 and asked the board to enforce the MOU.
Parents and volunteers at the Feb. 13 Lynwood Unified board meeting offered both praise and pointed criticism for a district-supported mariachi after-school program.
"This program give our children new skills," parent Karina Sosa told the board, thanking staff and volunteers for opportunities to perform and for helping students build confidence. Several other parents echoed support for the program's cultural and community value.
But multiple speakers also urged greater accountability. Parent Martina Rodriguez said the program has suffered poor communication and inconsistent instruction and told the board that "they were paying $95,000 for this program" and that money should be used to serve students directly — for example, by providing uniforms and adequate teaching staff.
Evangelina Cruz said her 5‑year‑old daughter was at one point excluded from a class and that the program lacked stable vocal instruction for nearly a month; she said she had filed a complaint and asked for an update.
Volunteer Vicente Ortiz and other program volunteers defended the program, saying the nonprofit brings experienced teachers and has a long record of performances and parent engagement; volunteers also said they limited younger-age enrollment because very young children struggled to benefit from the instruction.
Board members heard requests to clarify the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to ensure funds from the district and any nonprofit contract are spent on instruction and student supports, and to develop a clearer curriculum, lesson plans and evaluation metrics. District staff did not announce a formal audit or contract change at the meeting; parents asked the board to follow up.
The board’s public-comment period included multiple speakers on this topic; the district said translated summaries of public comment would be recorded in the meeting record.
