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Parents and residents press Inglewood Unified for more transparency, counselor staffing and to halt school closures
Summary
During public comment, speakers urged the district to stop selling or demolishing school properties, improve public access to budgets and audit documents, address counselor shortages and school safety, and give schools greater say over community‑school grant spending.
A lengthy public‑comment period at the April 9 Inglewood Unified School District board meeting was dominated by residents urging more transparency and local control and raising operational concerns.
Multiple speakers warned against selling or tearing down school properties and said community members should drive decisions about facilities. Loy Fischer said, “We need to save these schools. We don't need to be selling these schools.” John Hughes and others argued that the district should restore public disclosure practices and make financial details easier to find on the website.
Parents and staff also pressed the board about student support services. Miss Fidelia, a parent, said her school has one counselor for more than 500 students and asked the board to re‑evaluate counselor ratios and school safety support. “We need the physical person to do the follow‑up… I’m asking to please re‑evaluate the number of children per counselor,” she said.
Speakers raised concerns about how community school grant funds are being used. Rosio Sanchez said community school coordinators were still being hired and that in some cases funds were spent without school input; she asked when the community‑school district committee would meet and how a school could return a family‑ambassador position if it did not meet needs.
Several speakers praised student programming and outreach: board members and parents highlighted a recent HBCU tour and a mock trial event; Dr. Bernard Lucas and others thanked staff for student engagement. Some speakers also asked the board to preserve historic campus buildings and murals, citing neighborhood history.
The board acknowledged the comments and several members said they visit school sites regularly. No formal board action on property disposition, counselor staffing allocations, or community‑school grant reallocation was taken at this meeting; board members and staff committed to follow‑up and additional communication.
