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Board rejects renewed Latino Film Institute summer contract after hours of questioning about cost and outcomes
Summary
Trustees debated a proposed renewal with the Latino Film Institute’s Youth Cinema Project (YCP), pressing staff for measurable outcomes, sustainability and whether students gain paid placements; after a lengthy discussion the board voted down the summer contract.
After nearly three hours of questions and public remarks, the Hacienda la Puente Unified School District Board on April 21 voted down a proposed renewal with the Latino Film Institute to continue the Youth Cinema Project (YCP) summer and year‑round film programs.
The item prompted extended testimony from trustees and parents who praised the program’s hands‑on film training but worried about cost and sustainability. The district’s presentation said YCP provides industry mentors, equipment, curriculum and an alumni fellowship; staff noted that three students from the district were recently accepted to the program’s advanced fellowship. Officials described YCP as a career‑pathway program focused on behind‑the‑camera trades — lighting, sound and production — and on building students’ literacy, collaboration and technical skills.
Trustees grilled staff on price and outcomes. “We’ve invested heavily — more than $450,000 over three years — and I want to see what the return looks like,” one trustee said, pressing for data on how many participants obtained paid work or industry representation. Another trustee asked whether the district could adopt a train‑the‑trainer model to reduce recurring contractor costs.
District staff and YCP advocates said the program is intended to expand access to arts careers for students who lack private resources and that the contract supports mentors and equipment that district staff cannot replicate immediately. Staff emphasized that completion of the program qualifies students to apply for YCP fellowships that pair participants with industry mentors.
After debate that repeatedly returned to program sustainability and equity, the board voted the summer contract down (three no, one yes, one abstention). Supporters of the program said the decision will not necessarily end the district’s relationship with YCP, but it does pause approval of the summer component as trustees asked staff to provide more detailed outcome measures and cost breakdowns.
Next steps: trustees directed staff to return with clearer performance metrics, an itemized budget, and proposals for making any future contract more cost‑effective and sustainable. The district will bring a separate school‑year contract for board consideration at a later meeting.
