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Song Lyrics composed by youth at BHC Boyle Heights (Photo by Gaby, age 15, from the Las Fotos Project)
Community groups big and small, have responded collectively to the extra $332 million coming into the district via the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Governor Jerry Brown‘s signature K-through-12 education initiative.
For now, only a few schools have complete autonomy in deciding how the money should be used although more will gain the freedom over the next few years.
At Building Healthier Communities (BHC) Boyle Heights, which is part of a 10-year, $1 billion program of The California Endowment, the youth have composed a song that asks LAUSD, “Where does all the money go?” in reference to the distribution of LCFF money.
The song will be presented at Saludarte, an event produced by our collaborative in partnership with the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, on April 26 at Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights. LA School Report has transcribe the lyrics below for your reading pleasure.
(Verse)
Where does all the money go?
To our children? Bureaucracy?
Or to the “Fat Cat”?
It’s a political mirage, an illusion,
That a gift is being given.
(Refrain)
(A slight of hand that’s the trick)
Wait a minute! Lights on!
Recognize you have to deal with us
Our presence, our collective dreams
For our children
(Lights on!)
We will not surrender,
Physically, mentally
We are present!
Answering the call to action
In our homes, in our schools,
In our communities, in our board rooms.