Inglewood, California, is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with gleaming new stadiums and preparations for the 2028 Olympics painting a picture of prosperity. But behind the facade of this self-proclaimed "City of Champions," a crisis is unfolding within its public school system. The Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD), under state control for over a decade, has closed eight schools, sparking fierce resistance from a community that feels left behind by the city's boom.
Parents, teachers, and activists are fighting to save their neighborhood schools, which they see as essential community anchors. They argue that the closures, driven by declining enrollment and financial strain, are a direct consequence of policies that have prioritized large-scale development over the needs of longtime residents and their children. The conflict raises a critical question: is Inglewood's revitalization coming at the cost of its public education system?
Key Takeaways
- The Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) has been under state receivership since 2012 due to financial issues.
- Eight schools have been closed since the state takeover, with five closures announced in March 2023.
- Student enrollment has plummeted from 18,000 in the early 2000s to under 7,000 today.
- Activists and parents argue that school closures disproportionately affect lower-income, immigrant communities.
- The district's struggles contrast sharply with Inglewood's massive economic development, including SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome.
A Tale of Two Cities
The skyline of Inglewood tells a story of rebirth. SoFi Stadium, a futuristic marvel, and the new Intuit Dome, future home of the NBA's Clippers, signal a new era of sports and entertainment. This development boom has pulled the city back from the brink of bankruptcy it faced in the mid-2000s. Yet, for many families, this progress feels distant and disconnected from their reality.
The IUSD, which serves a student population where over 80% are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, has been in a state of crisis for years. In 2012, facing deep financial trouble, the district was placed into state receivership, becoming one of only nine districts in California to cede local control for a state loan. The district borrowed $29 million of a potential $55 million emergency loan, a decision that stripped the elected school board of its power and placed an appointed administrator in charge.
Since then, the district's health has continued to decline. Enrollment has fallen by more than 60%, test scores have lagged, and facilities have crumbled. The state takeover, intended as a rescue mission, is now viewed by many residents as a prolonged failure that has silenced local voices.
The Fight for Worthington Elementary
Victoria Preciado, a teacher and lifelong Inglewood resident, experienced the district's turmoil firsthand. She enrolled her daughter in Worthington Elementary, a dual-language immersion school she describes as a thriving, tight-knit community.
"The teachers were excellent. My daughter was receiving a quality education, comparable to the schools on the west side [of Los Angeles]," Preciado said. "It was also a tight-knit community. If a mom is late for pickup, there would be another five moms who would hold your child until you got there."
In late 2022, Worthington was suddenly placed on a list of schools slated for closure due to low enrollment—a claim Preciado and other parents disputed. She quickly organized a coalition, "Stop IUSD School Closures," rallying parents and teachers. The group packed school board meetings, and an advisory committee of Inglewood residents voted to recommend keeping the school open.
Their victory was short-lived. The newly appointed county administrator, James Morris, overruled the committee's recommendation. In a meeting streamed to a packed room of families after they were deemed too disruptive, Morris announced Worthington would close. The decision was a crushing blow but also a catalyst for a larger movement.
A System Under Strain
The roots of IUSD's problems are complex. In the early 2000s, state budget cuts under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger suspended significant funding for education. Lacking the wealthy donor base of neighboring districts, IUSD was forced to cut programs and defer maintenance. This period also saw a rapid expansion of charter schools, which siphoned students and funding from the public system. According to Inglewood Teachers Association President John Hughes, a dozen charter schools appeared in the 9-square-mile city almost overnight.
IUSD by the Numbers
- 2012: Placed under state receivership.
- $29 Million: Amount borrowed from the state.
- 8 Schools: Total number closed since the takeover.
- <7,000: Current student enrollment, down from 18,000.
- $2.3 Million: Annual cost for state oversight and loan repayments.
The state receivership added another layer of financial burden. The district must pay approximately $2.3 million annually for oversight from the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) and for loan repayments. This is a significant expense for a district with a $190.6 million budget that is already running a $16 million deficit this school year.
Domingo Morel, a political science professor at New York University who studies school takeovers, is critical of the policy.
"When we look at takeovers, the pattern is pretty clear that this is a policy specifically targeted at communities of color," Morel stated, adding that his research shows takeovers "overwhelmingly fail to improve the outcomes they promise."
Critics argue that the state intervention was an overreach. Rene Espinoza Kissell, an assistant professor at UC Santa Cruz, notes that lower-income districts with majority students of color are far more likely to be taken over than wealthier districts facing similar financial struggles.
Conflicting Visions for the Future
James Morris, the county-appointed administrator, sees the school closures as a painful but necessary step toward recovery. He uses the term "right-sizing" to describe his mission to consolidate resources, upgrade facilities, and ultimately guide the district out of receivership. He points to progress, such as a recent FCMAT report showing improved scores in several areas of review.
Morris is overseeing major projects, including the construction of a new $240 million high school in the city's more affluent northern area. This project is part of a larger civic investment that includes a partnership with music legends Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for a new design and technology program.
"There are amazing things we’re doing to make it better for students," Morris said, acknowledging the pain of closures but asking the community to focus on the potential gains.
The Impact of Urban Development
While the city and school district are separate entities, the city's development boom has had a direct impact on families. The construction of the Intuit Dome led to the displacement of residents in nearby rent-stabilized apartments. As property values and rents soar—with small apartments now starting at $3,000 a month—many longtime families are being priced out of the city, further contributing to the school district's enrollment decline.
However, activists like Fredrisha Dixon, an attorney with the Inglewood Coalition for Educational Equity, see a different motive.
"This is about developing Inglewood to look a certain way – to invite certain people in and push certain people out," Dixon argued. She contends that decisions are being made without community input and that schools in wealthier areas are being spared while those in poorer, immigrant-heavy neighborhoods are shuttered, creating "school deserts."
A Community's Resolve
The fight has unified many in the community who feel their voices have been ignored for too long. The coalition has worked with the ACLU to document what they call mismanagement of the district and has filed a formal complaint with the state attorney general.
John Hughes, the teachers' union president, rejects the business-centric approach to education. "Schools aren’t Cheesecake Factories or Starbucks franchises," he says. "They’re not businesses. They’re people’s anchors. They’re the centerpieces of communities."
Despite the setbacks, the community continues to organize. After pulling her daughter from the district, Victoria Preciado remains a lead organizer, determined to empower other parents. She believes the solution will not come from politicians or administrators but from the residents themselves.
"There is nobody who is going to come to save us," Preciado said. "It is just going to be the regular folks from Inglewood. And we’re going to have to save ourselves."
